There's something to be said for the enthusiastic amateur...the guy who doesn't have an ounce of professional training in a subject, but loves it so much that he learns all about it, mostly hands-on, and can't wait to share his passion (obsession?) with anyone who will listen. Tom Clarkson is such an enthusiastic amateur, and his passion is tropical plants. Tom and his lovely wife Patty took a steep, unusable plot of land above Manzanillo, Mexico, and turned it into a world-class showplace of tropical plants named Ola Brisa Gardens, the "Gardens of the Waves and Breezes."Now, I'll tell you up-front that when it comes to plants, my interest pretty much begins & ends with eat, mow, or rake. But as I flipped through "The Civilized Jungle", Tom's articles were so engaging that I found myself stopping to read much more than I skimmed. Whether you're a casual reader interested only in plant trivia & good writing, or a botanical expert looking for technical information about growing and feeding tropical plants, "The Civilized Jungle" will give you plenty to enjoy.Not to mention the photography -- so razor-sharp & color-saturated that you can almost feel the breezes and hear the waves.Tom Clarkson is an enthusiastic amateur, and it's easy to catch his enthusiasm as you read "The Civilized Jungle". I've had the privilege of visiting Ola Brisa Gardens...they are breathtaking in person, and Tom & Patty are convivial hosts. I highly recommend both the book and the visit.