Plant growth habit and culture notes are all too rare in succulent and cacti volumes. This expertly assembled book captures the succulent plants at their optimum phase and accurately records botanical names and growth requirements. I also utilize to accurately identify plants that I use to create living succulent wreaths. The section of 'Bringing the Desert Indoors' is a welcome invitation to indoor gardeners every where to enjoy these sculptural beauties year around.

One of few books dealing with gardening in the dry southwestern climates. Most of the book is devoted to "Plant Selector" which describes the plants, hardiness, cultivation needs, etc. Other sections deal with "Garden Design", "Techniques" (cultivation etc.), and, " Special Conditions." If you have one book on succulent gardening, this should be it.

Four Zinas: A Story Of Mothers And Daughters On The Mormon Frontier is the story of a four-generation family of women who shared many things in common, foremost of which was the name Zina. Zina Baker Huntington converted to Mormonism in New York in 1835. Her daughter, Zina Huntington Young married Joseph Smith, and upon his death, married Brigham Young and served as the Mormon Church's general Relief Society President. Then her daughter, Zina Young Card assisted her husband, Charles Ora Card, in founding Cardston, Alberta, Canada. And in time, her daughter, Zina Card Brown married future Mormon church apostle Hugh B. Brown. Four Zinas is the fascinating story of how this extended family helped to shape their respected eras within the Mormon community. Zina Young and Zina Card worked tirelessly for woman's suffrage, encouraging women to study nursing and become involved in industry. All of the women promoted drama and literature, inspiring others through their speeches and expressions of spirituality (including the Mormon custom of "speaking in tongues". These were women who enabled Mormon women to feel good about themselves, and in the process, made their frontier worlds welcome places to establish families and enjoy life. Four Zinas is very highly recommended for women's studies, American frontier studies, and Mormon history studies reading lists.