Austin Review of Mahan's Book--Gardens Illustrated

[ChatOWhitehall@aol.com]

Greetings.
 
The current issue of Gardens Illustrated, the  British magazine now issued by 
the BBC, contains a review by Claire  Austin of Clarence Mahan's recent book. 
The review is most respectful  in tone. 
 
Ms. Austin is the author of two comparatively recently  published general 
interest books on garden irises, and holds the  British National Collection of 
bearded irises, which is heap big medicine  in the UK. From a practical 
standpoint, however, I have no idea what  her reputation may be among gardeners at the 
UK or international  level.
 
Gardens Illustrated, although a fine magazine, and one to which I  have 
subscribed for yonks although it is not as good as it once was,  cannot claim a 
distinguished record on irises. They have published a handful of  articles over 
the years, yes, but there have also been some startling  boners in those 
articles. They did do a nice piece on Sir Cedric Morris once. I  sent a copy of that 
issue to the AIS Library.  
 
In her review, Ms. Austin acknowledges Clarence  Mahan's expertise, comments 
positively upon his crisp  language; says she enjoyed the peripheral human 
interest  stories; and remarks with approbation upon the bibliography. She also  
opines that, although the book inherently has the potential for broad  appeal, 
the price is notably high. She laments that this will  probably deter 
non-specialist buyers. 
 
Anner Whitehead
 
 



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