War Gardens: A Journey Through Conflict in Search of Calm

War Gardens is a book that explores the oases of peace that people create in the midst of war. It showcases the remarkable resilience and creativity of individuals who find ways to maintain a sense of normalcy and beauty in the face of destruction. Through the photography of freelance war correspondent and photographer Lally Snow, the book takes readers to war-torn regions such as Kabul, Camp Bastion, Jerusalem, and Ukraine, where families tend gardens and cultivate plants despite the harsh conditions. The gardens serve as a testament to the human spirit and the power of hope and beauty in adversity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2019
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

In this era of global conflict, we have become increasingly weary. From Afghanistan to Iraq, from Ukraine to South Sudan and Syria, from Kashmir to the West Bank, violence and instability have spread like a relentless disease, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. Yet, amidst this new landscape of horror and violence, ordinary individuals, like ourselves, continue to lead ordinary lives with their ordinary jobs, pressures, and routines. It is up to these resilient souls to maintain a semblance of normality and color in the face of adversity. For some, gardening has become a means of achieving this.

Freelance war correspondent and photographer Lally Snow has had the privilege of encountering a truly moving sight during her work in some of the world's most dangerous war zones. It is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and a celebration of hope and beauty: a war garden. In Kabul, the royal gardens are tended by a centenarian gardener, even though the king has long departed. In Camp Bastion, bored soldiers improvise tiny gardens to find solace in moments of peace. On both sides of the dividing line in Jerusalem, families cultivate groves of olives and nurture beautiful plants amidst the challenging and disputed landscape. In Ukraine, amidst the surreal and frozen war, families continue to tend their gardens, finding solace and resilience in the midst of chaos.

War Gardens is a remarkable, poignant, and awe-inspiring journey that takes us to the darkest corners of the modern world. It explores the ways in which people find solace and meaning even in the midst of destruction. Through the captivating illustrations of Lally Snow's award-winning photography, this book serves as a precious treasure, offering a glimpse into the resilience and creativity of human beings in the face of adversity.

Weight: 296g
Dimension: 193 x 117 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787470712