The book THE SIBERIAN IRIS by Dr. Currier McEwen is the most comprehensive work on this flower imaginable. Well written and easy to understand, even for the beginner. Dr. McEwen is one of the most respected and foremost hybridizers of these beardless irises. Nothing has been left out. The history, the culture, favorites, sources, showing, judging, hybridizing, registering and introducing a new cultivar, etc. The photographs are wonderful and the illustrations by Jean G. Witt are dynamic and extremely good. The only think I would have asked for is even more photos! This is an excellent gift choice for someone who is interested in these easy to grow but exotically beautiful flowers.