This is a useful little book that seeks to bridge the gap between loving a garden and beginning to understand its inner ecological workings. This is a fertile place in which to publish as there is increasing recognition of the real value of a sympathetic approach to gardening and the ‘vogue’ of current gardening style is largely naturalistic. There is academic rigour and accuracy throughout and real consideration of what the audience for a book like this will know a priori. This is enhanced by the small examples that delightfully extend knowledge of the natural world, for the curious and for those who want more foundation knowledge the book is undoubtedly a step on their path. The textual tone, however, is often a bit dry and sections of the content are related without really inspiring the audience; this is an editorial matter as so much is really strong in the underpinnings of the text.
To help write this review I took a look at the competition in this book space and spent some time immersed in the garden section of my local book shop. This changed my views on the book somewhat – not on the text really, but on the presentation. The figures are dull and need the life of better paper and colour, the tables (for example on pages 57 & 58) could be given joy by including images. I really want this book to be vibrant with life and accessible inspiring imagery so that it reaches many more readers. The author’s previous book on The Science of Compost and forthcoming title The Science of Sewage work much better in this small format, but garden biodiversity is such a big topic that squeezing it into a compact grey space misses the glory it could be given. I am glad to have a copy and will pass it on to a friend for whom it is perfect, though, in a magical world, I would hope that a well-funded publisher sees this as an opportunity and raises it up to all that it could be.
