This book has its origins in a multilingual dictionary compiled by the International Federation of Landscape Architects committee for the Translation of Technical Terms. It used German as the lead language, because it is easy to form new terms in German. Springer have now adopted the work and published this completely revised version with English as the lead language. The following (if that is the correct term) languages are French, Spanish and German, and the editorial team include a native speaker of each of these languages. Within the four languages local usage is also covered; so there is US and Canadian English as well as British. Belgian French is covered and old and new world Spanish are included. For some terms even more specific local usage is covered (Caribbean English, Southern Cone Spanish and so on).
In all some 10,000 terms are covered of which 7,144 are main terms. The other terms are linked to an equivalent or a synonym in English. For each of the main terms there are brief, but adequate, definitions for the term in all four languages. The area of landscape and planning in which the term is used is mentioned. All the terms are in the first volume so that is a thick book, but still usable when standing, which is the position one is often in when using reference books There are seven pages of abbreviations which cover word class, countries, various standards, areas of landscape work, biology and geography. Where specific texts are mentioned there is a cryptic reference which is given in full in an index of sources. Advice on using the book is given in the Preface.
The second volume is much thinner. It has the introduction and the abbreviations repeated with a list of terms in the trailing languages that refers to the main numbered entry and contains the full reference to books referred to in entries. This arrangement across the volumes is very useful, as you can have the main book open at the entry you wish to consult and use the lists in the index volume to check the abbreviations and the references.
The description above may make the set seem somewhat complex, but in practice it is easy to use. I found myself rapidly moving about the various terms of interest. The subject coverage is wide. Terms for practical horticulture and agriculture, financial and management terms, name for specific structure and locations, natural vegetation and built structures and much more are covered. This may be a short review for a large book, but when the book has been so well constructed and edited, and presents so much information in an efficient and usable manner it would be inappropriate to nit pick in areas of specialist interest or knowledge. So, to conclude, anyone or any company or organization involved in international horticulture, or landscape, or planning, will find this a useful book. If you after a single language dictionary in this area there are less expensive titles, even if several might be needed. If a reference book is judged by coverage and usability then this is one of the best that I have reviewed for Reference Reviews.
