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This account of Althorp, his family seat, by Charles, the ninth earl Spencer, only scratches the surface of its 500-year history. Nevertheless, whether he is describing the sleepless nights of his childhood, the ticking of clocks "always ... too subtle a sound, getting absorbed in the oak of the floorboards and the fabric of the tapestries," or appraising the forbidding character of his grandfather, the "Curator Earl," Spencer casts a candid, evocative light on his subject.
Indeed, Spencer's own efforts on the estate have been considerable. First comes the business of repairing the predations of his "short-termist stepmother," Raine, the countess of Dartmouth, who has laid down wall-to-wall oatmeal carpet in a 115-foot-long Tudor picture gallery. Now comes the death and burial on the estate of his sister, Diana, the princess of Wales. That Charles must now curate the family home as a site of global mourning is a trial quite the equal of anything the estate has ever faced.
Subtitled "The Story of an English House," the book has a structure, dividing the subject into buildings, grounds, family history, and collections, that is entirely conventional. Yet Spencer surprises by packing in many details about the social and political vicissitudes that shaped his family's wealth and taste. In doing so, he eschews his grandfather's regrettable elitism, while losing none of the old man's dedication to the family's heritage. Like all good introductions, this book suggests a world and time far exceeding its little compass. --Simon Ings
Book Description
The great house and grounds of Althorp in Northamptonshire have been home to the Spencer family for nearly 500 years. They first leased farm land in the area of grazing in 1486, and in 1508 Sir John Spencer acquired the 300-acre estate on which he built the first house. Since then, Spencers have lived and died at Althorp for twenty generations, and the Park has now taken on an added significance as the burial place of the most loved princess of the twentieth century.
Charles Spencer, who became the ninth Earl in 1992, has a deep love and knowledge of the house, reflected in the fact that he acted as a guide there when he was just twelve years old and in the tremendous redocorative work he has undertaken in recent years to restore it to its former glories. In 1998 there was further major work with the adapting of the quite beautiful Stable Block--once home to 100 horses and forty grooms--into a center for visitors incorporating an exhibition celebrating the life of Diana.
Earl Spencer has written a fascinating account of the house that combines the details of art and architecture (Althorp has one of the greatest private art collections in the country, including paintings by Van Dyck, Rubens, Reynolds, Stubbs and Gainsborough) with a personal appreciation of all its qualities. He also provides a first-hand description of the many changes that have occurred in recent years. With splendid photography, some of it from Althorp's archives and some of it specially commissioned, this new book offers the perfect guide to one of England's greatest houses.
Customer Reviews:
Lovely to look at - but without Diana...........2000-12-13
I have to admit I probably would have only been vaguely interested in The Story of Althorp had it not been for the Diana, Princess of Wales Factor. I still harbour some curiosity about her childhood and background. Funnily though Charles Spencer, Diana's brother who is the author of this book, points out early on that their were actually quite old (although still children) when they moved there - the Earl Spencer didn't inherit it from his father until quite late in the piece.
I didn't pick it up solely for Diana though - This was home to one of the most interesting families in the period that I am extremely interested in. The First Earl Spencer and his wife (eighteenth century) had two infamous daughters. Their eldest daughter, Georgiana born in the late 1750's who later married the 5th Duke of Devonshire She has been the subject of numerous biographies on her life. The second daughter led a quieter but only slightly less fascinating life - that was Henrietta who married Lord Bessborough. Henrietta's own daughter was the shocking Lady Caroline Lamb. So all in all this house has a wonderful coterie of historical 'ghosts' knocking around in its archives. All good material for Spencer to draw on - and he does.
Unlike a previous reviewer of this book I don't have any problems with the text and illustrations - the hanging of the paintings (the reviewer saw them turning up in different rooms) is fully explained in the text and it is easy to see which are the before photos and which are the after ones. This includes an explanation and reference in the text to which photo is the dining room before it was turned into the dining room.
What I found most interesting about this book was that it was more than just a history of the people who lived in the house, it was actually a history of the house. Of the changes which had been made over time, walls being knocked out, cladding put on, rooms covered over - all the things which happen to a stately home over 300 years of existence - and the effects which it has on the building.
Spencer is very personal in his writing, I don't think he lacks for self-confidence anyway and although it didn't detract from the book at times I found myself smiling and wondering did he really think he would ever fail?
On his step-mother, Raine. Well it has never been a secret the feelings that her step-children had for her. Given some of the things which have come out in the past I think he was remarkably restrained in limiting himself to some pithy statements on her handling of the design of the house - which I have to say seeing the photos of the rooms she decorated - I am in full agreement with him.
Still while I enjoyed the book immensely, and would recommend anyone with an interest in things English to read this book, it doesn't rate as one that I would keep on my shelves. There are books more specifically in my particular area of interest - Georgian House Style - a recent good one I read was by Henrietta Spencer Churchill which is also on Amazon.
Althorp: The Story of An English House.......2000-09-13
This history book of Althorp (pronounced Awltrupp - per the second chapter) is the kind you would expect to see at the house's giftshop. The publication date is 1998, but the thoughtful, researched text suggests that the Earl was probably writing the book before Diana's death.
The text describes the evolution of the house and grounds as they have passed from each generation, with the final chapter explaining the design of Diana's memorial. However, there is very little about Diana in the remainder of the book. Where she is mentioned, it is often but a sentence, as with this description of the family Bible: "...Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough's family Bible, which lists every member of the Spencer family after her, naming their date of birth, date and place of christening, godparents, date and place of marriage, spouse, children and date of death. I recently had to bring it up to date."
The book's pictures are of rooms on the ground and first floors (first and second floors in American), valued paintings, other art objects and the grounds. The Earl redecorated Althorp after inheriting it in 1992. I think his style is lovely. The house looks livable and the grouping of paintings, which he attributes to Edward Bulmer, is as special as the Earl describes.
However, it is with the pictures that I find a fault with the book. Under scrutiny, I noticed that some furnishings are in more that one room. Dated captions may have helped with this: Sir Joshua Reynolds' portrait of Georgiana, Countess Spencer with her daughter Lady Georgiana, is seen hanging in the Marlborough Room as a drawing room (page 144), while it is also seen hanging in the South Drawing Room on page 11 (decorated by the Earl) and the South Drawing Room on page 128 (decorated by Raine). We know the Earl made the Marlborough Room a dining room. So what is the time period of the room on page 144?
The treatment of Raine, the Earl's former stepmother, is the book's other fault. The Earl has used this as an opportunity to criticize her, her decorating, and even her servants. He describes Raine among "short-termist stepmothers [who] have made massive inroads into once secure inheritances." The pictures of her decorating of Althorp are the most awful pictures in the book: the chapel used as a storage area ("never patient in those days with things Christian"), a library with little furniture, the South Drawing Room in poor light.
The Earl's criticisms do not seem to fit in this book when the prior 100 pages describe how generations of Spencers have sold art and land to maintain Althorp. The Earl himself rents out Althorp for corporate business entertaining.
(Raine's decorating was featured in an article in the January 1991 Architectural Digest. Yes, she used too much gilding; her style was that of an older woman. But her furnished library really does not look much different from the Earl's and the South Drawing Room is photographed in kinder light.)
However, these two faults, and the lack of a map of the grounds, did not stop me from enjoying the book. I look forward to seeing if the Earl's latest book, The Spencers: A Personal History of An English Family, is up to the writing standard he has established here.
Althorp, The Story of an English House.......2000-03-16
This is a wonderful book! In particular enjoyed the way that Charles Spencer brought his ancestors "to life." He gave some very personal and fascinating ancedotes about his ancestors.
The pictures of Althorp were absolutely beautiful, and he went into great detail explaining the history of the contents of the rooms and the history that took place in them.
Charles Spencer stated that he was afraid, at one point, he would not make his mark on Althorp. He certainly has made a significant mark for the better. It is amazing what he has done in such a short period of time.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read. It is entertaining, funny, informative, creative and fascinating.
Althorp, great history.......1999-06-30
That's it, I'm going to be a history major. I loved this book. Who says you can't write history in the first person? I laughed, I cried, I could relate to the author at times. I too love fine houses. I found it most amusing, all the tales he told about selling furnishings just to keep the house. I mean this book is part history, part autobiography, and it reminds us all of the bond we have with our house, our ancestors, our land, and the pictures we hang on the wall. I highly recommend it.
A great book and a real pleasure to read........1999-04-23
This book is filled with historical facts and alot of pictures. Earl Spencer gives a witty and factual account of "Althorp" over the centuries. His knowledge of the former Earls and what they each contributed to the house during their lifetimes, make a great read. The family art collection is unbelievable a couple of his relatives were painted by Gainsboro himself.
Book Description
For more than 30 years, Hislop's mammoth Art Sales Index has been the essential guide for any art buyer looking to make an informed purchase. Now, Hislop's Official International Price Guide to Fine Art brings this level of expertise in a convenient paperback edition.
• Fully updated, covering the most recent international art auction sales
• Includes 80,000 works of art from more than 25,000 artists
• The essential reference for both novice and experienced collectors, dealers, and tax consultants and appraisers
Customer Reviews:
Practical pocket guide.......2007-07-26
Useful. Compact, reliable, most important sales are well documented, and even minor names of artists are registered. I do regret of not buying it before. Highly professional, well-balanced and calm approach - Hislop's is boasting about multi-million sales, or trends, or tendencies - it gives you the information on the hammer prices within a certain period of time. Great job
Book Description
“I have been using Hislop’s Art Sales Index since it began in 1969, and I still find it the best of the price guides.” —Christopher Wood, former director of Christie’s
For more than thirty years, Art Sales Index, or Hislop’s, as it is known in the world of fine art, has been the essential guide that anyone buying art needs to make an informed purchase.
Hislop’s Official International Price Guide to Fine Art—the new portable edition and a first for Hislop’s—covers international art auction sales of more than 80,000 works of original art from more than 25,000 of the most popular artists. This is an essential reference for the novice collector and anyone who wants to know art values, a handy tool for the experienced dealer, and a must for tax consultants.
“As an art dealer for twenty-seven years, Hislop’s has been my primary source for price information. They were the first to do it right and they keep improving.” —Gene Shannon, Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers
“Our staff depends on Hislop’s Art Sales Index for their research. They couldn’t work without it.” —Beth Biggs, Phillips Auction House
“In effect it offers instant valuation of works of art. It is just great.” —Jill Addleson, Durban Art Gallery, South Africa
“A recommended resource for a busy library or individual researcher.” —Holly Hatheway, Christie’s
Customer Reviews:
Hislop = His Love Of Paintings.......2002-09-06
I remember Hislop this way: His Love Of Paintings!
It sure fits because his IS the best art price guide, no doubt.
Book Description
Across America, at auctions, art shows, and galleries, fine art is and always has been an ideal investment for millions of collectors. Many collectors are not art experts and, with The Official "RM" Price Guide to Fine Art, you don't have to be. It is designed to educate collectors of every level to become knowledgeable consumers.
-- Completely revised and updated, with a new format providing price analysis for thousands of artists, arranged by subject and medium
-- The most up-to-date prices and sales figures, based on over fifty auction houses and galleries nationwide and actual sales of over 50,000 paintings and works of sculpture
-- Inside information on how to sell, using professional tips and techniques
-- An invaluable resource for collectors, dealers, galleries, auction houses, museums, and libraries
-- Expert guidance for every level of collector, from amateur to connoisseur
Average customer rating:
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Official Price Guide to Fine Art (1st edition)
House Of Collectibles
Manufacturer: House of Collectibles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Study & Teaching
| Reference
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
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General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
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General
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
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ASIN: 0876375891
Release Date: 1987-03-12 |
Average customer rating:
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Re-take of Amrita
Vivian Sundaram
Manufacturer: Manohar Publishers and Distributors
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Photography
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Sociology
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| Occupational
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| Research & Measurement
| Rural
| Social Groups
| Social Situations
| Social Theory
| Suburban
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| Women
ASIN: 818522949X |
Book Description
This is a book of 38 digital photomontages by Vivian Sundaram, with a preface and annotation by the artist-author. These montages are the result of a 'collaborative' photographic project: between Umrao Singh Sher-Gil (1870-1954)and Sundaram. Sundaram enters the space of the Sher-Gil homes and makes the members of the family enact (and re-enact) moment of radiating desire under his direction. The 'encounters' generated in this process of re-casting the family in new roles elaborate into a fictional narrative.
Average customer rating:
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Re-take of Amrita
Manufacturer: Sepia International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NOXF4G |
Product Description
This haunted show by Vivan Sundaram, one of India's most distinguished contemporary artists, is basically an archival family album, a photographic souvenir of the distant past. Thanks to digital technology, however, the pictures are simultaneously old and new. They embody the past the way it survives in the mind: edited, layered, compressed, as if in a dream.
Through digital montage Mr. Sundaram has revised -- ''re-taken'' -- the pictorial record of his family, collapsing time and geography to create a cosmopolitan world populated by conversant ghosts.
Product Description
76 Pages, 49 tri-tone plates.
Book Description
The Earth's mineral riches are distributed unevenly over the globe, and this has tremendous effects on the human condition. Different regions have achieved great power and affluence with the development of resources, from water and fertile soil to oil and high-tech metals. What will happen to these economies as the resources are depleted?
This unique volume presents and analyzes essential data on energy and mineral resources and population issues of concern to sociologists, geologists, ecologists, economists, policymakers, futurists, and political scientists.
Customer Reviews:
Best book I've ever read.......2005-07-18
There are many good books on peak oil, but none fly as high as Youngquist's "Geodestinies", giving you an eagle-eye view of how the world works from a resource standpoint. Far more than just the mineral of oil is covered. Youngquist also delves into the role of minerals and good health, their use as currencies, the distribution of minerals around the world, and the most precious mineral of all: topsoil.
The range of what is covered is so vast I can't do justice to this book, but among other things, you'll learn the role of minerals and wars, civilizations, politics, and overviews of alternative energy sources. You'll emerge with a better understanding of how the world really works, what to invest in, and a deep appreciation of the amazing lives we're leading at this peak of civilization.
After I read this monumental book, I was sad and angry that history was never taught this way while I was in school. If there is one book you should have on your shelf for those who make it through the bottleneck of the coming ecological crash, this is it.
I have read thousands of non-fiction books as I walk to work and back ten miles a day -- this is the most important and life-changing book of all of them.
The classic work on natural resources.......2004-02-10
This is one of those rare works that has the power to transform society. It is extremely well written, easily readable and cites an extensive list of references.
This book should be required reading for all college freshmen, and should be included in every high school, college and public library.
It is unfortunate that the book is often out of stock and difficult to find.
Bad Tasting Medicine we all need to take..........2003-03-14
While the book reads more like a high school textbook, for the inquisitive mind, the information imparted more than makes up for it. Learning the principle of doubling time and it's portent for future populaiton growth and resource depletion, alone is worth the price of the book. The information presented in the book is sobering and thought provoking, and not a little depressing.
Let's all hope that technology can deliver us from most of the doom and gloom presented in the book. As a geologist I was familiar with the limitations on our mineral resources but did not construct the relational scenarios that were presented in the book. The "oil interval" of earth history is overlooked by most people even in the sciences. It's far reaching implications points out the severe case of myopia from which our society suffers. The fact that we comsume 60% of our soon to be precious oil for the luxury of being able to run to the convenience store for a pack of gum is also sobering. Buy the book impart the information to your kids.
A Very Important Book.......2002-07-19
A very depressing book but a very important one if the author is correct. It covers resources of all types: water, metals, oil, arable soil, etc. as it relates to the various economies and lifestyles throughout the world. At the rate resources are being used up, in particular oil and gas, the standard of living outside of the Persian Gulf state could be materially affected in the next 50 to 100 years.
Read it at your own risk: it's going to paint a bleak picture of future mineral resources.
GeoDestinies.......1999-11-22
A book I pass around alot! If you are concerned about Earth's natural resources and our future, this is a must read. The author explains the coming world production peak in conventional oil and the facts of dealing with finite resources.
Don't be surprised by the problems we face just around the corner in the new century in energy, minerals and water.
Book Description
The first behind-the-scenes look at the stunning success of America's hippest discount retailer
Founded in 1962 by Minnesota-based department store Dayton's, Target has grown to become America's second most profitable retailer behind Wal-Mart. On Target is the first in-depth look at the business leaders and strategies that made Target such a runaway success. The company's easily recognizable red-and-white logo, youthful television advertisements, and upscale partnerships-with designers like Michael Graves, Mossimo, and Todd Oldham-have not only removed the stigma traditionally attached to discount store shopping, but actually made it hip to be frugal. In the process, the company has cemented its place as the favorite discount retailer of middle- and upper-income families across the country. In On Target, award-winning business journalist Laura Rowley examines the methods and the success of the company from its shrewd merchandising strategy to its clever marketing campaigns, ingenious branding effort, and extensive philanthropy . An excellent education in how to beat the competition even in a crowded and weak retail market, Target's story details the history and incredible success of a unique company and an enticing, unmistakable brand. Both insightful and entertaining, On Target offers important business lessons for executives and managers in need of a bull's-eye.
Laura Rowley (Maplewood, NJ) is an award-winning television, radio, and print journalist specializing in business reporting. She is the personal finance and career columnist for Self magazine and has also been published in The New York Times, Parents, and Newsweek. As a reporter and producer for CNN in New York, she reported on air for Your Money and Business Unusual, and produced live programs for CNNfn. She has also appeared on Good Morning America, Oxygen Media, and CNBC.
Customer Reviews:
Not much.......2006-12-22
My two rating is graded on the curve. Could have been a one. I found myself skimming most of the book. It would probably mostly appeal to Target fans who are women and have an interest in businesss. 4 out of 5 Target customers are women. The book covers a lot about the history of the Daytons and how it grew into Target, but not about the inter-day workings and decisions. The book isn't worth more than a quick evening's read. It's interesting that the people who wrote a piece for the back cover (Stuart Varney and the author's Self supervisor/colleague) have/had a business realtionship to the author. No really notables who were canvassed or who offered their reviews.
If you want to read about retail business, there are plenty of other books about Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Starbucks, et al which are much more interesting and a better investment of your leisure time.
Customer Reviews:
A Wealth of Information.......2001-01-31
John Ross provides an amazingly well researched and extensive recent history of chiapas. An encyclopedia to the Post Uprising History of Chiapas.
Ross lets the truth shine through.......2001-01-28
I met John a few years when he'd just publish "The Annexation of Mexico." To me, this was essential to understand this crazy, amiable gringo who was so interested in Mexico and loved it so much. Now I know. Hats off for John!! Since the Zapatista uprising many lines have been written on Chiapas. Essays, criticisms, pseudo-investigative reports, and many more were produced by Mexican, US, French writers. I dare say that, at least, compared to all non-Mexican recounts of the uprising timeline, Ross' is the best. Plenty of information, witty storytelling, tongue-in- cheek analysis of the corrupt political arena and its US counterpart (accomplices that is). Ross shuts up all potential (cynical) critics of his pro- Zapatista point of view by putting the uprising on a Mexican History perspective. If you want to know more about Chiapas, beyond the mainstream media blackout, this IS the book. You will understand why the antiglobalization protests perhaps have their roots in that Jan. 1, 1994.
Books:
- An Album of Maya Architecture
- Applied Structural Steel Design (4th Edition)
- Architecture and Interior Design Through the 18th Century: An Integrated History
- Architecture and Utopia: Design and Capitalist Development
- Architecture of Silence: Cistercian Abbeys of France
- Architecture: The Natural and the Manmade
- Architecture Tours L.A. Guidebook: Hollywood
- Baumschlager & Eberle: Hous-ing
- Baumschlager & Eberle: Hous-ing
- Bibiliographie Zu Flavius Josephus (Arbeiten Zur Literatur Und Geschichte Des Hellenistischen Judentums)
Books Index
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