annieb123's Review of Paradise on the Hudson: The Creation, Loss, and Revival of a Gilded Age Garden

by Caroline Seebohm

Few people today have ever heard of him, but in the early years of the twentieth century, Samuel Untermyer took on the rich, the entrenched establishment, the robber barons, and the most powerful corporations in America. He also turned his estate into one of the most extensive and ambitious gardens of the Gilded Age. Located on the banks of the Hudson, it boasted extravagant structures based on Greek models, 60 greenhouses, and a staff of 60 gardeners. After Untermyer’s death, the garden went into a steep decline, until the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy began a program of restoration that has brought a significant part of the original gardens back to their former glory. Visitors today can experience the grandeur of the garden, and the renovations continue. In Paradise on the Hudson, seasoned writer and garden historian Caroline Seebohm shares all this and more, telling a fascinating story of a dazzling Gilded Age garden created, lost, and re-found. Packed with contemporary and historical photography, this must-read entry into the canon of garden history celebrates an important garden in its former glory and in its current restoration.

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Paradise on the Hudson is a well written biography of the Untermyer gardens by Caroline Seebohm. Due out 03 March 2020 from Timber Press, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The history of the man behind the creation of the gardens and estate as well as his unorthodox life and relationships are well documented by the author. The book is enhanced by personal photos, documents, and drawings. The introduction is followed by chapters detailing the architecture, garden designs and completion, as well as the Algeresque decline, decay and finally resurrection of the gardens and grounds in the early 2000s. The book reads like a novel and the photos are such an integral and inspiring part of that narrative.

The sheer scope of the projects and the tireless dedication of the army of volunteers, workers, gardeners, engineers (for the water works and other permaculture features), laborers, and other folks just boggles the mind. Some of the photos included document just how heartrendingly decrepit and desolate parts of the gardens had become. This book is a lovely tribute to the love and passion which brought the original vision back to life again for new generations to enjoy.

Four stars. Recommended for gardening enthusiasts as well as lovers of garden history and design. The maps, indices, and bibliography are likely worth the cost of admission in their own rights.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Paradise on the Hudson: The Creation, Loss, and Revival of a Gilded Age Garden

by Caroline Seebohm

Reviewed by annieb123 on Feb 29, 2020

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