I think this book is the most beautiful book on flower arranging that I have ever seen. There are all types of arrangements for all seasons and all occasions. I am giving it to all members of my family and many friends for Christmas, even teenage granddaughters. It will become an heirloon and study guide of the future.

For years, amateur foreign floral arrangers have compiled anthologies of their work - from France, Italy, Belgium, New Zealand and even South Africa. "The Fine Art of Flower Arranging" is the American compendium, featuring arrangers from Maine to Hawaii who have created 150 works of floral art. Also unique is its combination of historical perspective, flower show flower arranging competition entries and an extensive resources and further reading section. I particularly enjoyed the arrangers' texts which explain their thinking and methods. What a fabulously rich learning experience, beautifully written and compiled by Nancy D'Oench and enhanced by Mick Hales' exciting floral photography. A coffeetable book that makes the ideal gift for any flower arranger.

Marjorie Morningstar, The Best of Everything and Prodigal Women were my favorites in high school (1960's) and I have read them many times since my high school days. Prodigal Women is my particular favorite. It is the story of three young girls growing up in Massachusetts in the 1930/40's. This book seems to have been written ahead of its time as the story deals with many issues and feelings of women today. This is a well-written book with characters that make you laugh and cry. You will recognize yourself or people you have known in this richly detailed book that follows these women from girlhood to womanhood. If you enjoy long, engrossing books with characters whose lives touch each other and change their futures, don't miss this older, but timeless book. I cannot believe Hollywood never made a movie from this best-selling novel, the characters are unforgettable.

Leon was a master of color and the female from. Sadly this edition only has b/w plates.

Otherwise this is the definitive book on the enfant terrible of the Ashcan School.

I think that reviving Hale is something of an injustice to other writers who have been perhaps overlooked in the past. This book, at least, is no discovery, but a humid, goofily 'romantic' story, with prose that one could presumably discover in a Harnlequin romance. At least it isn't being foisted upon students.