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The castle is always seen as being a typically Scottish building type. The laird living in his castle is regarded as being as typical of Scotland as the squire in his manor house is of England. This still has a large element of truth in it, and Collins Gem Castles of Scotland is an accessible introduction to this fascinating aspect of Scottish history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great guide to the Castles of Scotland.
I personnaly bought and used the 1994 edition of this great book to plan a trip including Scotland. It's size and details were great as an "on the road" reference. Now I can really say-"Been there, Done that,Got the shot glass from Eilean Donan" ... Read more

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Farleigh Hungerford Castle was built in the late 14th Century by Sir Thomas Hungerford, and was home of the Hungerford family for more than 300 years. Although ruined, it retains impressive corner towers, a gatehouse and a chapel with remarkable wall-paintings and tombs. Illustrated with photographs, plans and historic images, this new guide presents a tour of the site and a fascinating history of the castle and its owners. ... Read more

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Warkworth Castle is one of the largest and most impressive castles in northern England, symbolising the power of the Percy family in the Middle Ages. This new guide, richly illustrated with photographs, drawing and historic images, includes a tour of the castle and late medieval hermitage nearby, and a history of the site from Anglo-Saxon times. ... Read more

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More than any other Tudor castle, Upnor had close ties with the navy. It was built for the protection of Queen Elizabeth's warships anchored in the Medway, and its importance matched the growth of the dockyards at Chatham. The highlight of Upnor's history came in 1667 during the Second Dutch War when it played an important part in preventing a squadron of the Dutch fleet, which had already done considerable damage, from sailing further up the Medway. ... Read more

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Peveril Castle is among the most dramatically sited Norman castles in England. Begun soon after 1066 by William Peveril, one of William the Conqueror's Knights, the castle came into rival hands in 1155 and was much strengthened by King Henry II. This guidebook explores the remains of the castle and traces the history of this Peak landmark from its origins to the present day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Guide
I was fortunate to have visited this castle a few years ago and forgot to purchase a guide for remembrance.English Heritage publishes high- quality reading guides for their beloved architectural marvels.This is no exception this rule.Educational, informative and a lovely collector's item. ... Read more

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Beginning in the Gilded Age and extending through the 1930s, American millionaires constructed flamboyant and conspicuously opulent dream palaces to establish their prestige. With more than 80 full-color photographs, this volume is a spectacular tour through some of North America's most, lavish, exotic. and legendary palatial residences. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great Coffee Table Book
I love this book. It sits along with others at my coffee table. Beautiful pictures, I have the places I have visited bookmarked.

Nice book
I enjoyed the book.The photographs iside were excellent.The only reason I gave it three stars is because it was WAY TO SHORT.I only wish there was more pictures and backgound.As far as its delivery goes.The book came on time and in perfect shape.

Mostlyexterior photos of the major "Castels" in the USA

This is a nice hardback book with beautifully photographed pictures of the "MAJOR" USA Castles (or mansions) . Please note that most of the photos in this book are of the exteriors.

There are many other mansions still around in the USA, but this book contains the most well-known "mansions",photographed on the outside.

An excellent introduction
Though I greatly enjoyed a visit to Hearst's "Castle" in San Simeon some years ago, as a European one tends to be unaware that it isn't the only building of its kind in the USA. This book provides an excellent overview of what's on offer, and for me truly opened up whole new perspectives on architecture. The shameless display of wealth is very much to the fore in several of the houses that are documented. Though the results are sometimes in questionable taste, or even childishly naïve, and architects apparently weren't always able to articulate the difference between a hallway in a private dwelling and an opera house lobby, there is also an exhilarating buoyancy to it all that's rarely found in European buildings, weighed down as they are by historical and stylistic consciousness (barring maybe a few Victorian extravaganzas in the UK and of course Ludwig II's castles in Bavaria). Confections like the dining room at The Breakers or the ballroom at Marble House might have been cooked up in Hollywood as sets for some million-dollar fairy tale movie and are simply mind-blowing.
Still, of even greater interest than these would-be Versailles' are quintessentially American buildings like the Carson House in Eureka or the bizarre Winchester "Mystery" House. All of these are shown to excellent advantage in this book, with an occasional Italianate Palazzo and the odd gothic monstrosity thrown in for good measure. Both interiors and exteriors are (selectively) documented. Texts are brief and to the point. The photography is more than serviceable, though of somewhat variable quality and rarely quite top-notch. Still, at the price nobody interested need hesitate to pick up this slim volume. If you are seriously interested in the subject I would however urge you (also) to invest in the McAlister's more comprehensive, scholarly, and visually stunning "Great American Houses", which includes floor plans,unfortunately missing in the present book.

Bargain price for wonderful pics of Architecture & Interiors
For $10.36 you simply cant beat the value of the beautiful photos in this book.Grand 'modern' castles & mansions of the Guilded Era with pictures of their interiors also.My favorites are the Hearst mansion/castle & the Hammond castle.I gave it less than 5 stars because it is only 80 pages long.I gave it more than 3 stars for the exquisite photos.

See other books I have reviewed if you want more suggestions for books on castles & architecture. ... Read more

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