Noah's Garden : Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Backyards

Rating:
Summary: Possibly the best book ever written on this subject.
Review: Being a writer of similar book on the same subject I've read many books of ecological gardening. When I was researching for my latest book which would be called in english "THE WILD GARDEN-a gardening guide for the lazy" I drew extensively and benefitted greatly from Ms. Steins book. Of all the books I've ever read on the subject this one is absolutly the tops.Ms. Stein has a way of making the reader aware of the disastrous muck-up we've done to ecology blissfully ignorant of our actions. At the same time she refrains from preaching and her prose is fluid, easlily understood and fun to read. It is my opinion, and I truly believe this, that Ms. Stein has done more for the conservation of nature than many national and international institutions.

Rating:
Summary: Possibly the best book ever written on this subject.
Review: Being a writer of similar book on the same subject I've read many books of ecological gardening. When I was researching for my latest book which would be called in english "THE WILD GARDEN-a gardening guide for the lazy" I drew extensively and benefitted greatly from Ms. Steins book. Of all the books I've ever read on the subject this one is absolutly the tops. Ms. Stein has a way of making the reader aware of the disastrous muck-up we've done to ecology blissfully ignorant of our actions. At the same time she refrains from preaching and her prose is fluid, easlily understood and fun to read. It is my opinion, and I truly believe this, that Ms. Stein has done more for the conservation of nature than many national and international institutions.

Rating:
Summary: Rescuing the Suburbs
Review: For "challenged" gardeners such as myself, what a relief it is to read that such chores as double digging can actually be harmful by creating conditions even more inviting to invasive weeds and pests. In addition to being a great inspiration for changing one's approach to that of "ungardening," Noah's Garden presents an environmentally based manifesto against suburban sprawl and the cookie cutter tract developments it has engendered. Sarah Stein presents many creative thoughts for encouraging the return of wildlife in the suburbs. Some ideas can be carried out individually on one's own property, but when one starts to look at ecologically impoverished neighborhood environments the way Sarah Stein does, it seems reasonable to start applying her principles to larger areas. Stein suggests, for instance, that the small wilderness of trees and shrubs an enlightened homeowner can set aside in a back corner can be joined with other small thickets created by like-minded abutting property owners to form a small suburban forest. The material presented here has as much value for the local planning board or environmental commission as it does for the individual gardener. Sarah Stein, like Noah, is warning of the impending loss of all signs of life in our own communities if we don't amend our ways. I for one will be building my ark!

Rating:
Summary: Nice
Review: I thought it a good idea to give a guy's opinion and so here it is. This is a "nice" book, with nice sentiment and excellent ideas about how we should live with and not apart from nature. Actually it wouldn't be a bad idea for more men to see nature as a refuge, not a place to wreck havoc with and certainly not a killing field. However, I think few "guys" could get beyond the niceness of it all. It's just too very nice.

Rating:
Summary: I wondered where the fireflies of my childhood had gone.
Review: I wanted to learn some answers to some basic ecological questions of the "where did they go" and "how can I get them back" variety. This book answers those questions and more. What really surprised me was the emotions this book invokes. I laughed and I cried, sometimes on the same page. I think this is probably the best book I have read in several years, on any subject.

Rating:
Summary: I wondered where the fireflies of my childhood had gone.
Review: I wanted to learn some answers to some basic ecological questions of the "where did they go" and "how can I get them back" variety. This book answers those questions and more. What really surprised me was the emotions this book invokes. I laughed and I cried, sometimes on the same page. I think this is probably the best book I have read in several years, on any subject.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful book about bringing Nature back into your garden
Review: I was in the middle of reading Mrs. Stein's book when I encountered wild turkeys in my front yard, and realized what a fragile world exists here in my subdivision. Our formal garden was constructed with some thought about attracting birds, but with too many exotic species unsuitable to the place. Her careful research and explanation of the complexities of habitats is utterly convincing and we will be making significant changes in our gardens. If you read this book, I think you will, too. It was a joy to read.

Rating:
Summary: A "must have" for every gardener!
Review: I will keep this brief, as the other reviewers have said much of what I would say about this great book. I highly recommend it to all gardeners, especially those who are concerned about gardening in harmony with nature and using native plants. It is wonderfully readable & very well done!

Rating:
Summary: The "Bible" for practical, native landscaping.
Review: It is rare that a book actually makes a change in your life but Noah's Garden did for me. Years ago my husband and I tried to explain to a landscape architect the natural effect we wanted. He did a pretty good job but suggested all sorts of exotic plants. If we had only had Sara Stein's book then! It is full of lower care native and natural planting tips and information. For those of you who find the sameness and sterility of suburban landscaping unattractive, Sara Stein has paradise waiting for you in this book. Do you wonder why you no longer have fireflys? Find out why and how to right this in Noah's Garden. A great, great book

Rating:
Summary: What a delightful writer!
Review: Ms. Stein's way with words drew me in immediately. While already interested in native gardening, she made me want to jump out of bed and start native grass seed right then and there. This book isn't in the least a dry textbook, but a story, and includes a large reference section in the back for seed and plant sources, etc.