<DIV>Helena Attlee's 20 years of experience with gardens lets her bring readers the very best in <I>Italy's Private Gardens.</I> She has talked and teased with owners, in the process admiring some of Italy's finest gardens, both large and small. She has even delved into the past and explored the future. The result is a book full of wonderfully fresh insight into those most marvelous of creations ? the great gardens of Italy. At Villa Barbarigo in the Veneto, Count Pizzoni Ardemani recounts childhood tales of playing in the garden and talking to the statues. Countess Pietromarchi persuades roses to thrive in the challenging climate of central Italy, sharing this secret ? and many others ? in her garden at La Ferriera in southern Tuscany. Each garden has been specially photographed by Alex Ramsay and he, too, brings readers the people behind the plants in this spectacular, unique look at beautiful gardens.</DIV>