Sullivan and Boults have produced a one-of-a-kind achievement with this remarkable volume. Though conceived as a textbook, it will have immense appeal to anyone with an intellectual curiousity about history, culture, ideas and design. It will become a collector's item for drawing afficianados, resembling more a graphic novel than a traditional history book. The narratives are insightful, going deeper than previous texts to weave storylines that set the evolution of designed landscapes into the broader context of their political, cultural and religious times. It is complemented beautifully by hundreds of imaginative drawings that illuminate the stories of iconic sites and the ideas behind them in ways photographs could never do. The result is a fascinating synthesis of words and images is at once intellectually rich, highly accessible and great fun. This book will find its way into classrooms, professional libraries and travel bags; it will inspire further study, travel, and drawing as a means of sharing ideas in both students and professionals alike. This is a real treat; I recommend it highly.
