Great Houses of the South
In the tradition of Rizzoli’s Historic Houses of the Hudson Valley and Great Houses of New England, Great Houses of the South features a stunning array of newly photographed homes that range over three centuries and are distinctive examples of the architecture of the region. While in popular imagination the "Southern Style" is embodied in the classic Southern plantation house with its Greek Revival detailing—its stately white columns, wide porch, and symmetrical shape—the houses themselves are much more various and engaging, as shown in this important volume. From stately Stanton Hall of Natchez, Mississippi, one of the most magnificent and palatial residences of antebellum America; to Longue Vue House and Gardens of New Orleans, the luxurious Classical Revival–style home of Edgar and Edith Stern; to the fabled Biltmore of Asheville, North Carolina, the opulent French Renaissance–inspired chateau and Gilded Age estate of George Washington Vanderbilt, this lavish volume is comprehensive in scope and a landmark work of enduring interest to homeowners, architects, architecture historians, and all those who love fine architecture.
Reviews (148)
Great for coffee table or guest book
Great coffee table book. I used this as our guest book for our wedding. I wanted something with enough space on pages so guests could write their note and name in between the texts and pictures. I searched for awhile before finding this one. It arrived in perfect condition. I could not tell from the product description or photos how much blank space the book would have, but figured with the amount of pages and pictures it would work. Based on customer reviews, I had high hopes it would work, and it did not disappoint. I received a ton of compliments on the unique idea but mostly for how gorgeous the book was and all the photos with details on each house. My guests loved looking for a house in their city (by using the box’s index), and would suggest visits or trips I should take in the future. I highly recommend the book as a coffee table book, guest book, gift idea, etc. I have not had time to read it, but I have read on a few of the houses, and it gives great detail on the houses I have known growing up in the south.
Photography to make you plan a journey
This book is intended as a living room conversation piece rather than a reference work or scholarly study. That, of course, does not diminish the supreme quality of the photography of this rather small selection of grand Southern houses. Let me make clear that the SELECTION is small, but the houses are most certainly not. The author treats us to gorgeous stops at Mount Vernon and the Biltmore House, Shirley Plantation and Whitehall. The book is arranged in chronological chapters, beginning with 1700-1800 and ending with 1865-1940, so the majority of the book is dedicated to OLD structures. Think the framing essays for each entry are just filling material and you'd be seriously mistaken. The author creates the perfect balance of historical depth and reader accessibility. The writing is profound without being pedantic, and the book will be as interesting to architectural historians as it is to amateur enthusiasts. Here's something really nice: The building selection is limited to places that are open to visitors, so a reader can visit ANY of the houses s/he falls in love with from the book. My only regreat is that this author's "South" does not include Texas. There are no examples from Texas, but there are several from Florida, Kentucky and Maryland. This is a big book printed on heavy gloss paper. Overall, it is one of the very best coffee-table books you can buy on this subject, and it's a nice travel guide as well. Exceptionally well done.
The ultimate in southern architecture....
After visiting Oak Alley plantation during a trip to louisiana, I developed an interest in southern plantations and mansions. This book did not disappoint! The pictures were breathtaking and the biographical history that accompanies them is an education that will stick with you. I was amazed at how modern some of the houses were, and how they were restored and maintained. There are now several more "great houses" I plan to visit....
Tara and So Much More
The book was absolutely stunning. It was a gift to friends who hosted me in their home in Atlanta. It was a perfect fit. It inspired my friends to see those homes again on their vacation.
Beautiful
Beautiful book. We used it as a sign in book at our daughter's wedding.
The best book on southern houses on the market.
In my opinion this is the best photographic book of the whole history of southern homes on the market. Rizzoli rocks. (Note, I'm speaking photograph-related only.)
Beautiful Southern Mansions - Landscapes and Interios
This book rates a 5 star. It is extensive in the history for each home. The photographs leaves one in a state awe. Through the pictures I could almost feel the warmth and majesty of each home. I have visited several of the homes in this book, but reviewing the book makes me want to go back again and pay closer attention to the detailed architecture and interior decorating. This is an excellent coffee table book. You will not want to keep this book on a shelf. It's too pretty to keep tucked away.
Lovely book, though pictures often are too small
I just received this book and though I'm delighted with the quality of publication and the content -including choice of houses, many of them unfamiliar to me- I have to say that many of the best illustrations are often put two to a page plus captions and printed text, thus making it difficult to admire all the details -alas I realize this is probably due to space constraints, but it would have been lovely had more page space been provided for said illustrations. Still, a worthwhile book on par with Wendell Garrett's Victorian America ( which however does give full page cover to most of its images).
Beautiful Book!
,,,simple stunning photos n history Proud to display it
Beautiful Elegance
What a beautiful collection of southern charm! The homes and estates are a glimpse into the history of the South. Lovely.
Comments
Post a Comment