A History of Groves

"Human beings have had a long, deep, cultural relationship with trees, a relationship which transcends national cultures. That said, as we have become more urban based and our landscapes more ‘designed’ as a result, this relationship seems to have been somewhat underestimated, something this wonderful publication seeks to put right. The book enthusiastically traces the cultural concepts of The Grove from pre-historic times up to the present day, from the spiritual to the practical and the artistic, and provides compelling evidence of the growing relevance of The Grove to improving the quality of contemporary human experience. The contribution of a number of authors to this stimulating and creative publication is a significant milestone in the re-awakening of our interest in the cultural relationship between us and our trees." Professor Alan Simson, School of Art, Architecture + Design, Leeds Beckett University, UK. "Evoking everything from classical deities to druids and amorous liaisons in Augustan pleasure gardens, groves have always been special tree places. Ranging across millennia and traversing the globe from ancient Greece to China, Japan, North America and Africa, this rich and learned collection of essays by an international team of experts, offers an enchanting new slant upon our love affair with trees. The editors and authors are to be congratulated on having created such a varied, readable and stimulating volume which will surely long remain the definitive study of a hitherto surprisingly neglected subject." Paul Elliott, College of Arts, Humanities and Education, University of Derby, UK.