untitled 133 BOOK REVIEWS LE PAYSAGE SACRÉ - SACRED LANDSCAPE. Ribouillat D., and M. Weemans. Giardini e Paesaggio, vol. 29. Leo S. Olschki, Florence (Italy), 2011, pp. XXXII + 368. ISBN 978-88-2-6126-72. € 48.00. This is the 29th volume in the “Giardini e Paesaggio” series. Unlike other studies that have been influenced by the idea of an “autonomous landscape”, this volume underlines the importance of the sacred aspect of nature in the representation and creation of land- scapes in the early modern period in Europe. The work, examining areas from literature to gardens and painting to microarchitecture, suggests that landscape in the period under study should be considered as an interpretation of the artists in the “Book of Nature”. The various contributions - in English and in French - that make up the volume are enriched with images from the period that have been carefully assembled by highly re- garded international experts in the field of landscape history, stimulating the debate sur- rounding the concept of scared landscapes. It is necessary to underline the importance of this topic and the efforts undertaken by various scholars to reveal the deep relationship between landscape and sacredness. This volume is a significant addition to the vast literature on the evolution of landscapes through history, from a sci- entific and technical, as well as historical and cultural perspective and offers the reader meaning and understanding with regard to the sacred values that make up the environments considered. Francesco Ferrini IL PINO DOMESTICO. Elementi storici e botanici di una preziosa realtà del pae- saggio mediterraneo. Lorenzini G., and C. Nali. Giardini e Paesaggio, vol. 37. Leo S. Olschki Editore, Florence (Italy), 2013, pp. 96. ISBN 978-88-222-6252-3. € 15.00. This volume, as the authors describe, aims to attract the reader’s attention to a “friend” in trouble. The “friend” is the pine tree. It deserves, according to the authors, attention and support as it has always been generous with man, and is symbolic of the Italian landscape. The book consists of 96 pages, divided into three parts and a premise, and is written not only for scholars in the field but also to those who, to varying degrees, are interested in this species and to the typical landscapes it has created in our country. The authors are well known experts in the field as, for many years, they have carried out studies and taught many courses on the topic. The first part of the book is devoted to the natural history of pine and its dissemination, the second to breeding for productive purposes and the third to the place that this species occupies in mythology, history, tradition and art. The appendix is of particular interest as it presents curiosities (and not only) about this species. The volume includes illustrations and both color and black and white photos, as well as a bibliography to conclude the book. The authors offer through this work a key upgrade on the subject, from a scientific and technical perspective and with regard to our historical and cultural heritage. The book is of great value for all researchers working in the field of arboriculture and for those who have an interest in basic physiology, applied ecology, and biology to preserve this precious and much-loved species. Francesco Ferrini 134 MANUALE DI ORTOFRUTTICOLTURA. Innovazioni tecnologiche e prospettive di mercato. Sansavini S., and P. Ranalli (eds.). Ministero delle politiche agricole e forestali. Edizioni Agricole de Il Sole 24 Ore, Bologna, 2012. pp. xxiv + 668. ISBN 978-88-506-5360-7. € 50.00. This volume, carefully edited by Silviero Sansavini and Paolo Ranalli and with con- tributions by renowned experts in the field, offers considerable breadth. The text covers a wide range of agricultural products, from fruits to vegetables, with particular emphasis on integrated and organic productions, as well as on the market and its prospects. The up-to-date knowledge regarding the fruit and vegetable sector, and in particular pertaining to genetic improvement and new varieties, make the “Handbook of horticulture “ an immediate tool for operators, students and researchers. The presence of numerous mainly color illustrations and the orderly succession of tables render each treated topic easy to consult and encourage further investigation. The text consists of the following five parts: Part One, “Stato dell’arte dell’Ortofrutticoltura italiana” (Italian horticulture: state of art); Part Two, “Frutticoltura” (Fruitculture); Part Three, “Or- ticoltura” (Horticulture); Part Four, “Produzione integrata e biologica: caratteristiche, disciplinari, gestione” (Integrated and organic production: characteristics, disciplines and management); Part Five, “Il mercato e le prospettive future” (The market and future perspectives). Enrico Rinaldelli PRODUZIONE ED IMPIEGO DELLE PIANTE OFFICINALI. P. Catizone, L. Barbanti, I. Marotti, and G. Dinelli. PÀTRON Editore, Bologna, 2013. pp. 348. ISBN 978-88-555-3233-4. € 44.00. It’s not easy to write a book on medicinal plants. As explained on the back cover of the book: “the term medicinal plants defines a large group of plant species that have been used in pharmaceutical laboratories, but in a broader sense also includes plants for aromas, cosmetics, dyes, biocides and other agricultural purposes”. After a period of declined interest, due to the belief that chemistry would rap- idly produce active principles via synthetic processes, in recent years there has been swift development in the study of these plants, which has led to substantial progress in knowledge. The acquisition of this not only scientific and technical knowledge prompted the authors to bring together a text that is both useful for experts in the field and for other readers, such as students, who look this difficult subject for the first time. The subject of medicinal plants calls for multidisciplinary knowledge ranging from botany, arboriculture and natural science to chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences and medicine. Indeed, the authors have presented in a concise manner a mass of knowledge and shed innovative light on the subject to eliminate the sense of uncertainty for those who are approaching it for the first time (and not only) and are dealing with the heterogeneous reality that is the world of herbs. After a general introductory part, the text is divided into seven chapters: the first is dedicated to cultivation, the second examines economic aspects, the third regulatory framework, the fourth focuses on metabolism and active prin- ciples, while the fifth to seventh chapters examine in detail cultivation and post-harvest processes and utilization. A spe- cial part consists of detailed records of individual species (two to three pages each) accompanied by photos of plants, flowers and seeds. The 348-page book also includes an appendix with an extensive glossary, many of which are medical terms. This manual is undoubtedly of great value for students, technicians and all researchers working in the field, but it can be considered interesting for growers of medicinal species at amateur level as well. Cinzia Silori