Radical Gardening

This is an eye-opening alternative study of agricultural, national, political, and social movements from around the world that are intrinsically linked to gardening. McKay (cultural studies, Univ. of Salford, England; Senseless Acts of Beauty: Cultures of Resistance Since the Sixties) highlights forgotten connections between radical movements of the past and environmental trends of today. He traces three intertwined meanings of the garden plot—the land, history, and politics—while discussing peace gardens, military and victory gardens, urban and rural gardens, and community gardens, allotments, and guerrilla gardening, among other topics. McKay notes the strong links between fascism and the organic movement in Britain and Germany and parallels the Garden City Movement of the early 20th century and fair trade environmentalism of today. His aim "to trace strands of idealism, rebellion, political action and social criticism in the garden historically and presently" is admirably achieved. The book is richly illustrated with photographs, posters, flyers, magazine covers, and drawings that capture the hands-on essence that, ultimately, is the fundamental stuff of gardening.