"This is a work richly illustrated with photographs, charts, and maps and is a welcome addition to the literature of the Second World War. Those interested in that war, mine warfare, or contemplating future wars will find much of interest in Operation Gardening. Highly recommended." - National Maritime Historical Society Operation Gardening is a detailed study exploring the strategic, tactical, and technical aspects of the minelaying operations in Danish waters, emphasising their significance in the broader context of the Second World War. Its strengths lie in its meticulous original research with relevance to both historical and modern contexts. Operation Gardening indeed covers a wide range of themes: Historical, Technological, Operational, Geopolitical and the Operation's relevance into the post-war and modern world. Operation Gardening covers the evolution of mine warfare and its implications for Denmark during the Second World War, with a detailed exploration of mine types, deployment strategies, and their operational efficiency. There is a detailed examination of the RAF's minelaying campaigns, including tactical successes, failures, and broader strategic impacts, as well as a discussion of Denmark's position as a 'harbourmaster' of the Baltic and how this influenced other wartime strategies.

The book also discusses the post-war mineclearing efforts and the lasting effects of Second World War mine warfare on maritime safety and military strategy. By tying historical operations to contemporary issues such as the ongoing mine-clearing efforts and modern naval strategies, Operation Gardening underscores the enduring relevance of the topic of mining at sea.