[.uk] Flowers, Flowers (ISBN 0847816796)

Simply the Best:
There is no need for a lengthy review of this book. Quite simply, it contains photos of the most beautiful floral arrangements I have ever seen. I enjoy it often with a sense of awe and envy.

Flower Arrangement as an Art Form:
Paula Pryke is an artist is every sense of the word. Coming across this magnificently and luxuriously illustrated book is like discovering a famous artist new to you. The topic is 'Inspired Arrangements for All Occasion' and both the writing and illustrations certainly prove that claim to be true. But what is so very different in this rich volume than in other volumes on flower arranging is the unique approach to the medium. Pryke's keen eye combines not only flowers of every possible kind (from simple wild garden blossoms to the most exotic of species from strange lands), but she also sees vegetable, seeds, gourds, branches, twigs, moss, vines - all are of equal importance to her choices for synthesis of her amazing creations. Some Floral designers elect to create books about their craft that are limited to beautifully photographed final arrangements. Paula Pryke, with a winning writing style, takes us through the puzzling mysteries of how she finds and assembles the components of her art. She also separates the book into simple works, arrangements according to a unified color scheme, and arrangements and accoutrements that are celebratory for holidays and special occasions. Whether this book is added to the library as a coffee table adornment (sure to be admired by all discerning guests) or as a guide to creative floral design, FLOWERS, FLOWERS! is an artwork containing some of the most exquisite floral you will encounter. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, August 06

all you want to know about flower arrangement:
This book has all you would like to know about flower arrangement. Starting from how the flowers make it to the market(from the growers) ,to the Common names and Latin names of the different flower species. There are superb pictures of 100s of arrangements for different occassions and step by step descriptions of how to do some of them. What I liked the most , was the last chapter called techniques, it has a thorough description of all the equipment one needs to do these elaborate arrangents. However, for a complete beginner like me , this book might seem too intense as the arrangements are quite elaborate. At any rate, it makes a good coffee table read.

Bought this book AFTER I finished reading it.:
I borrrowed this from the library. What a pleasant surprise. I'm an amateur at florals, but I feel I actually learned some concepts, not just looked at pictures to copy. You can also tell Paula loves not just flowers, but she loves to teach what she knows. It's not just pictures and rambling captions. Some of the arrangements are not my style, but there are so many pictures, most of them are absolutely stunning, very inspirational. I had to buy my own copy after viewing this @ the library, and I plan to buy more books from Paula.

A bit disappointing:
Maybe I should have been tipped off by the cover but I found the arrangements in the book quite old fashioned and too structured. I much prefer "Simply Elegant Flowers" by Michael George which I find to be more contemporary, both in it's arrangements and book layout.