The garden as total art work: in contrast to western-inspired garden design with its emphasis on trees and shrubs, lawns and flower-beds, it is the overall topographical effect that is considered paramount in the private garden of China. Artificial hills and carefully laid-out ponds and lakes transform the mostly flat terrain into a magical miniature landscape. It is the sheer subtlety of the layout of these gardens, inspired as they were by Confucianism, landscape painting and poetry, that give the onlooker the impression on occasion that he has before him an intricate water colour. Splendid photographs convey the magic of these gardens, which will be a source of inspiration for every garden lover. The historian, architects and all those interested in China and Chinese culture will, however, also find much that is valuable. Of all the volumes in the series "Ancient Chinese Architecturea, "Private Gardensa is the one that will appear to the widest circle of readers, and will thus be an invaluable addition to the gardening section of every well-stocked bookstore.