Picking up this book is like opening a door to the sun shining rainbows of color. It is almost possible to smell the flowers and feel the rustling of the hummingbird wings.

A tremendous book to have on your coffee table. You'll love the mini-vacations you'll have when you open these pages.

Superb pictures and very well written.

As an African Violet & Gesneriad grower, enthusiast, and self proclaimed "Gesneri-addict", I strongly recommend this publication.

I got this book when it was first published. I wanted a book that wood provide me with reliable information about African Violet culture. I found so much more than what I had expected. Mr. James included flourescent lighting information, soil recommendations, and great propagation tips as well. I still, to this day, refer back to this book when I want to see what some of the vintage Optimaras, "Rhapsody", "Ballet" and other great older varieties look like. He also includes some great growing info on Sinningias, Episcias, Aeschynanthus, and Standard Florist Gloxinia.

In conclusion, this book has a lot of nostalgic value to me. Having grown African Violets for over 23 years....I love seeing pictures of the vintage varieties like "Ballet" and "Rhapsody" . These were the varieties available in the stores when I first started growing violets! I love this book and strongly recommend it to both novice African Violet enthusiast and advanced!

Wonderful book. It has saved me money, time and heartache. The author knows what he is talking about and talks straight from the shoulder. He is very sympathetic to those who are beginners and doesn't try to impress you with esoteric knowledge. I had the first printing copy and lost it. The library had two copies and they were both stolen. Thank God for the reprint.

Altho this book has lovely photographcs, I never got into the text due to the fact that it focuses entirely on NorthEast Coast gardening and is of no use to coastal gardeners any where else. I should have paid attention to the pub synopsis. The pics are entirely of East Coast gardens and do not relate AT ALL to the more rustic coastal areas of the West. Just a warning that this book is only for those wanting to use it to garden in the East Coast area...I didn't know & incurred the cost to send the book back.Hence, only two stars.

A great book on seaside gardening. I strongly recommend it