The French composer Olivier Messiaen (1908?92) is a musician about whom most remains to be discovered. More than a decade after his death our knowledge of Messiaen is largely conditioned by what he said about himself in lectures and interviews, in his work as a teacher, and in the monumental seven-volume treatise that encompassed the whole of his composing world. But Messiaen's public documents conceal as much as they reveal, seldom explaining why a work was written or what complexities went into its making. The composer was similarly reticent about his private life.

This is the first book to explore the world that Messiaen was at pains to keep hidden. Based upon unprecedented access to Messiaen's private archive granted to the authors by the composer's widow, Yvonne Loriod-Messiaen, Peter Hill and Nigel Simeone trace the origins of many of Messiaen's greatest works and place them in the context of his life, from his years at the Paris Conservatoire and his passionate first marriage to Claire Delbos through the immense achievements of his final decades.

With stunning color photos throughout, this gardening guide describes more than 50 types of the best flowering shrubs and details their use in home landscaping. Shrubs are arranged by genus, separated into deciduous flowering and notable evergreen shrubs, and listed with the common name; size and shape; foliage color, shape, and texture; flower and fruit (if any); soil, nutrient, and light needs; pruning needs for maximum growth and/or flower; and USDA Hardiness Zones. Details of specific species, cultivars, and varieties that lead to exceptional size, color, flower, hardiness, and durability are also included. Helpful hints on soil types, watering, pest control, and pruning explore how best to plant and care for any shrub. The appendix includes lists of nurseries, web sites for further information, and an extensive index and bibliography.