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The Story of the Country House: A History of Places and People
The Story of the Country House is an authoritative and vivid account of the British country house, exploring how they have evolved with the changing political and economic landscape. Clive Aslet reveals the captivating stories behind individual houses, their architects, and occupants, and paints a vivid picture of the wider context in which the country house in Britain flourished and subsequently fell into decline before enjoying a renaissance in the twenty-first century. The genesis, style, and purpose of architectural masterpieces such as Hardwick Hall, Hatfield House, and Chatsworth are explored, alongside the numerous country houses lost to war and economic decline. We also meet a cavalcade of characters, owners with all their dynastic obsessions and diverse sources of wealth, and architects such as Inigo Jones, Sir John Vanbrugh, Robert Adam, Sir John Soane and A.W.N. Pugin, who dazzled or in some cases outraged their contemporaries. The Story of the Country House takes a fresh look at this enduringly popular building type, exploring why it continues to hold such fascination for us today.
256 pages, Paperback
Published March 28, 2023
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1325 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
September 29, 2021
I'll admit that I was first drawn to The Story of the Country House: A History of Places and People by it's gorgeous naïf-style cover (although I haven't as yet been able to discern the identity of the designer). I'm pleased to report that the contents live up to the promise of the packaging!
Clive Aslet explores the the concept of the"country house" as it has evolved over the past millennium (the prologue looks further back to Roman times), in the context of prevailing social, political and economic conditions in Britain and in the wider world. Not only does he detail the architectural history of various well-known example properties, but the extraordinarily fascinating interplay between the actual or intended use of the structure and its, often fluid, physical form over time. He also delves into the influence of international architectural fashions and historical architectural theory. He relates entertaining anecdotes concerning owners, residents and events that took place at particular country estates and the reader will discover many fascinating details. Ever wonder why some country seats use the descriptor Abbey (as I have since watching a certain popular television series)? The answer is contained within.
Properties Aslet describes include: Standsted Park, West Sussex; Penshurst Place, Kent; East Barsham Manor, Norfolk; Knole Park, Kent; Burghey House, Lincolnshire; Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire; Chatsworth House, Derbyshire; Kinross House, Kinross-shire, Scotland; Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire; Chiswick House, London; Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, Scotland; Strawberry Hill, Twickenham; Fonthill Abbey, Wiltshire; Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; Kelmscott Manor, Gloucestershire; Fort Belvedere in Windsor Great Park; and a modernist example in The New House, Wadhurst, Sussex. Aslet also describes several important gardens associated with country properties, such as that designed by Lancelot "Capability" Brown at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.
While not a photography-dominated "coffee table" volume, The Story of the Country House is liberally illustrated with photographs and other illustrations throughout. Nevertheless, so intrigued was I with Aslet's text that I frequently found myself using Google Earth and Wikipedia to find pictures and aerial images of the numerous featured properties.
In this time of lockdown, The Story of the Country House provided tantalising fodder for planning future overseas jaunts, as I've seen only a few of these buildings "in the flesh" and would love the opportunity to visit more in the future. I'd highly recommend the book to any reader interested in social and domestic history, British architecture generally, or the fascinating stories and personalities behind many of Britain's well-known landmarks.
My thanks to the author, Clive Aslet, publisher Yale University Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this fascinating and entertaining title.
Clive Aslet explores the the concept of the"country house" as it has evolved over the past millennium (the prologue looks further back to Roman times), in the context of prevailing social, political and economic conditions in Britain and in the wider world. Not only does he detail the architectural history of various well-known example properties, but the extraordinarily fascinating interplay between the actual or intended use of the structure and its, often fluid, physical form over time. He also delves into the influence of international architectural fashions and historical architectural theory. He relates entertaining anecdotes concerning owners, residents and events that took place at particular country estates and the reader will discover many fascinating details. Ever wonder why some country seats use the descriptor Abbey (as I have since watching a certain popular television series)? The answer is contained within.
Properties Aslet describes include: Standsted Park, West Sussex; Penshurst Place, Kent; East Barsham Manor, Norfolk; Knole Park, Kent; Burghey House, Lincolnshire; Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire; Chatsworth House, Derbyshire; Kinross House, Kinross-shire, Scotland; Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire; Chiswick House, London; Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, Scotland; Strawberry Hill, Twickenham; Fonthill Abbey, Wiltshire; Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; Kelmscott Manor, Gloucestershire; Fort Belvedere in Windsor Great Park; and a modernist example in The New House, Wadhurst, Sussex. Aslet also describes several important gardens associated with country properties, such as that designed by Lancelot "Capability" Brown at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.
While not a photography-dominated "coffee table" volume, The Story of the Country House is liberally illustrated with photographs and other illustrations throughout. Nevertheless, so intrigued was I with Aslet's text that I frequently found myself using Google Earth and Wikipedia to find pictures and aerial images of the numerous featured properties.
In this time of lockdown, The Story of the Country House provided tantalising fodder for planning future overseas jaunts, as I've seen only a few of these buildings "in the flesh" and would love the opportunity to visit more in the future. I'd highly recommend the book to any reader interested in social and domestic history, British architecture generally, or the fascinating stories and personalities behind many of Britain's well-known landmarks.
My thanks to the author, Clive Aslet, publisher Yale University Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this fascinating and entertaining title.
October 26, 2021
My thanks to Yale University Press and NetGalley for a review copy of this interesting and informative read.
[Country houses] are a document on which is written their owners’ changing lives, tastes and sources of income.
In The Story of the Country House: A History of Places and People, architectural historian and writer Clive Aslet traces the evolution of the English country house from mediaeval times to the present—the introduction in fact beginning even further back with the villas of Roman Britain—looking into various aspects from the form they took and architectural details to style, features, uses, the architects who designed them and the people that lived in them.
From villas to castles, pleasances to hunting lodges, large sprawling estates to more modest dwellings, country homes have taken various forms over time, and been designed based on changing ‘fashions’ and trends—inspirations for their design and decor coming from various parts of the world—Ancient Greece and Rome to the continent, and even the colonies. As they evolved, features and material used changed—sash windows and bow windows making appearances at different times; the emergence of the library; ha-has, follies and conservatories forming part of the property and waterworks becoming more complicated. At different times too, those that lived in the country home used it for different purposes—from monarchs and nobles of old travelling between their various homes with huge entourages (‘family’ having a wide meaning at this point) and all their furniture and belongings in tow; to castles which had a value for defence; places where owners nearly bankrupted themselves to host the monarch, to spaces where politics was carried out; as hospitals and convalescent homes during the war; places to show off and display one’s wealth to those to which families turned for retirement and privacy. Like their owners, country homes also saw ups and downs, suffering the most during war whether the war of the roses or the civil war or more recently, the first and second world wars; the wars’ aftermath and changing times meant that owners were not always able to keep up these opulent or large homes, with land having to be sold, or at times the homes themselves demolished. Still, the country house has survived and thrived, with people once again turning to them in the current scenario.
This well-researched book, in which Aslet’s knowledge shines through, covers vast ground including, besides architectural aspects and stories of architects and owners, the historical developments that impacted on not only what the houses looked like but also how they were used (the arrival of the motor car, for example, meaning that guests could move on faster and didn’t make long stays; or the need for people to work for a living making country homes spaces for ‘weekends’); and ‘servants’ and their role in keeping up the establishment; the author also brings up the more difficult questions of the sources of many of the owners’ prosperity (slavery; colonialism); besides also going into lighter matters like poetry dedicated to the country home and some literature (Wodehouse, for instance, with his many impoverished peers). The author takes up examples and instances of specific country homes, and the volume has (review copy) nearly fifty photographs and illustrations.
At only 224 pages of text, this is a relatively short volume; yet it is one which is chock full of facts and information—in fact, each page is brimming with it; it is certainly not a quick or easy read, but a book one can spend some time with (and certainly return to as well). What I liked about it was that the facts and information combined with their historical context are put forth in a very readable manner weaving in with them anecdotes and stories of the people associated with these homes. This makes it an enjoyable rather than a dry read despite it being a ‘heavy’ one. I did feel though that as far as the architectural nuances and details were concerned, perhaps one with more of an interest in the subject than a lay reader like myself would be able to both grasp and appreciate them better. But I certainly enjoyed reading it, finding myself thinking of different country homes from books (Austen’s Pemberley or Christie’s Styles Court; Wodehouse’s Blandings, and even Toad Hall—Aslet does mention Mr Toad’s driving escapades; also Downton of course, for some of the aspects of post-war country house history are reflected in that series)—as I did.
3.75 rounded off to 4 stars
[Country houses] are a document on which is written their owners’ changing lives, tastes and sources of income.
In The Story of the Country House: A History of Places and People, architectural historian and writer Clive Aslet traces the evolution of the English country house from mediaeval times to the present—the introduction in fact beginning even further back with the villas of Roman Britain—looking into various aspects from the form they took and architectural details to style, features, uses, the architects who designed them and the people that lived in them.
From villas to castles, pleasances to hunting lodges, large sprawling estates to more modest dwellings, country homes have taken various forms over time, and been designed based on changing ‘fashions’ and trends—inspirations for their design and decor coming from various parts of the world—Ancient Greece and Rome to the continent, and even the colonies. As they evolved, features and material used changed—sash windows and bow windows making appearances at different times; the emergence of the library; ha-has, follies and conservatories forming part of the property and waterworks becoming more complicated. At different times too, those that lived in the country home used it for different purposes—from monarchs and nobles of old travelling between their various homes with huge entourages (‘family’ having a wide meaning at this point) and all their furniture and belongings in tow; to castles which had a value for defence; places where owners nearly bankrupted themselves to host the monarch, to spaces where politics was carried out; as hospitals and convalescent homes during the war; places to show off and display one’s wealth to those to which families turned for retirement and privacy. Like their owners, country homes also saw ups and downs, suffering the most during war whether the war of the roses or the civil war or more recently, the first and second world wars; the wars’ aftermath and changing times meant that owners were not always able to keep up these opulent or large homes, with land having to be sold, or at times the homes themselves demolished. Still, the country house has survived and thrived, with people once again turning to them in the current scenario.
This well-researched book, in which Aslet’s knowledge shines through, covers vast ground including, besides architectural aspects and stories of architects and owners, the historical developments that impacted on not only what the houses looked like but also how they were used (the arrival of the motor car, for example, meaning that guests could move on faster and didn’t make long stays; or the need for people to work for a living making country homes spaces for ‘weekends’); and ‘servants’ and their role in keeping up the establishment; the author also brings up the more difficult questions of the sources of many of the owners’ prosperity (slavery; colonialism); besides also going into lighter matters like poetry dedicated to the country home and some literature (Wodehouse, for instance, with his many impoverished peers). The author takes up examples and instances of specific country homes, and the volume has (review copy) nearly fifty photographs and illustrations.
At only 224 pages of text, this is a relatively short volume; yet it is one which is chock full of facts and information—in fact, each page is brimming with it; it is certainly not a quick or easy read, but a book one can spend some time with (and certainly return to as well). What I liked about it was that the facts and information combined with their historical context are put forth in a very readable manner weaving in with them anecdotes and stories of the people associated with these homes. This makes it an enjoyable rather than a dry read despite it being a ‘heavy’ one. I did feel though that as far as the architectural nuances and details were concerned, perhaps one with more of an interest in the subject than a lay reader like myself would be able to both grasp and appreciate them better. But I certainly enjoyed reading it, finding myself thinking of different country homes from books (Austen’s Pemberley or Christie’s Styles Court; Wodehouse’s Blandings, and even Toad Hall—Aslet does mention Mr Toad’s driving escapades; also Downton of course, for some of the aspects of post-war country house history are reflected in that series)—as I did.
3.75 rounded off to 4 stars
November 23, 2021
In this book we move through the unexpectedly fascinating history of the country house, following it from the medieval era to the modern day.
I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book, but I certainly got what was on the tin - the story of the country house. We go over its many facets, from its varying forms and functions, the people who built them and the people who inhabited them. The author is clearly passionate about the subject and convinced even someone like me who has only a passing interest to become invested.
The narrator Simon Vance has a soothing voice and an engaging manner that makes the story easy to follow, though I did not feel he injected much personality into the narration. I did wish that that there were more one-off stories about the houses in the book, as I feel that would have made the places come more alive.
Overall an engaging read that I would recommend to fans of architecture and Britain, but not necessarily for those into general history.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book, but I certainly got what was on the tin - the story of the country house. We go over its many facets, from its varying forms and functions, the people who built them and the people who inhabited them. The author is clearly passionate about the subject and convinced even someone like me who has only a passing interest to become invested.
The narrator Simon Vance has a soothing voice and an engaging manner that makes the story easy to follow, though I did not feel he injected much personality into the narration. I did wish that that there were more one-off stories about the houses in the book, as I feel that would have made the places come more alive.
Overall an engaging read that I would recommend to fans of architecture and Britain, but not necessarily for those into general history.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
February 14, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Love the cover on this one!
This took me a while to finish because it was my "read before bed book" 😂 However, finish it I have, and I enjoyed it quite a lot. Back when I was a teenager, I planned on attending college to become an interior designer. Life had other plans for me, but my love of all things architecture and design has stayed with me all these years. This book was full of facts, anecdotes, and fascinating details (plus a few illustrations) about the evolution of the country house from mediaeval times to the present. The author has clearly done her research and you can feel her passion for the subject throughout the book. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who loves architecture and design!
**ARC Via NetGalley**
April 17, 2022
It felt like a wonderfully detailed long essay all about that wonderful thing, the country house (which we all know I love)
A great history of the places and the people that made then great, infamous and lost them!
A great history of the places and the people that made then great, infamous and lost them!
June 25, 2023
2.5 rounded up
This is just a boring and confusing read.
I'm familiar with the history this covers and still felt fucking confused with how this jumped all over the place.
It's not just about the houses and that plot is lost a bit in the narrative.
Also this attempts to excuse chattel slavery under the guise of, "we can't judge the past using the values of the present" but that's not true.
Slavery was always wrong and Europeans knew that during the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade but created that trade anyway.
Further the reason the past is important in this instance and all instances is because the past informs the present.
Most chocolate consumed today is grown in West Africa using modern slavery. Most critical parts for cell phones also use modern day slavery of marginalized peoples on colonized and formerly colonized lands
However, if you see who's currently profiting off of these practices today, you'll find that in most cases, they are the descendants of those same families that profited off of chattel slavery back in the day. So it becomes clear both why this information is paramount AND why the common refrain from academia is to pretend that history is isolated from the present. No the fuck it's not.
When we excuse slavery of the past we also excuse slavery of the present.
When we judge the people of the past that works to stop the same behavior from occurring in modern society.
Stop looking for ways to excuse these folks, let's hold them accountable instead. The world sucks balls, and excusing inexcusable behaviors is part and parcel of why.
This is just a boring and confusing read.
I'm familiar with the history this covers and still felt fucking confused with how this jumped all over the place.
It's not just about the houses and that plot is lost a bit in the narrative.
Also this attempts to excuse chattel slavery under the guise of, "we can't judge the past using the values of the present" but that's not true.
Slavery was always wrong and Europeans knew that during the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade but created that trade anyway.
Further the reason the past is important in this instance and all instances is because the past informs the present.
Most chocolate consumed today is grown in West Africa using modern slavery. Most critical parts for cell phones also use modern day slavery of marginalized peoples on colonized and formerly colonized lands
However, if you see who's currently profiting off of these practices today, you'll find that in most cases, they are the descendants of those same families that profited off of chattel slavery back in the day. So it becomes clear both why this information is paramount AND why the common refrain from academia is to pretend that history is isolated from the present. No the fuck it's not.
When we excuse slavery of the past we also excuse slavery of the present.
When we judge the people of the past that works to stop the same behavior from occurring in modern society.
Stop looking for ways to excuse these folks, let's hold them accountable instead. The world sucks balls, and excusing inexcusable behaviors is part and parcel of why.
December 1, 2021
I loved this book! The history of the English country house from the Middle Ages till nowadays is combined with snippets of general English history, with architecture and design and with social and ecological questions. It doesn´t only show the country house as such, but also it´s rooms, furniture, orangeries, garden and other surroundings, containing several famous houses still in use and telling about its architects and the times and places that had an effect on them. I also liked the beautiful photos and some illustrations. An ideal present, to your family and friends - or to yourself!
Thanks to Yale University Press and Netgalley for an arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Yale University Press and Netgalley for an arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2021
This book looks like a huge undertaking. Aslet has authored several books about country houses since 1982. This reader has not read any of his previous work. I am unclear who is the intended audience for this book, but I tell you what I think at the end of the review. It covers a lot of territory: nobility, architecture, architects, English history, world history as it pertains to the British Empire, art, design. If you don’t know much about those subjects, you’re likely to be lost. It is not written with enough narrative to be an interesting narrative non-fiction, nor is it a technical or academic tome (though it could be with appropriate changes). The cover implies it could be meant for lay people outside of academia or serious enthusiasts, however, there isn’t enough explanation, interpretation or clarity for a new enthusiast to follow along. (It improves half-way through at the Mid-Georgian chapter, and continues to improve thereafter, which is somewhat expected as there is likely more historical information closer to our own time, but readers will drop off before then.) It would help for information to be formatted for easy comprehension. Charts of landowners, timelines and a map would go a long way to assist any reader regardless of their familiarity with the subject. A glossary with illustrations is needed. As I had trouble following the narrative; pulling lists and timelines out of paragraphs would be supportive. I appreciate the color photographs.
There are bits and bobs of interesting facts sprinkled throughout, once you wade through the tall grass, unsure of your direction. At times, bits aren’t polished enough with surrounding sentences to grab attention. I caught myself re-reading paragraphs to get context, getting lost or mired in fact sentence after fact sentence without the linkages between to help me understand what all these facts amounted to. Its not conversational. There are occasional narratives that were easier to follow. The author can turn a phrase, and I do appreciate efficiency. Overall it leans toward narrative non-fiction. I just wish it was more narrative; more explanation, more interpretation, more juicy bits!
If you are a reader of the magazine Country Life, or have enjoyed his previous works, then you are likely to enjoy this one as well. There are many ARC reviewers who were excited and impressed by this work. It has a lot of information and the narrative does improve as the book goes on.
If you are a Downton Abbey fan and know little else, this isn’t likely to satisfy.
If you are in-between, I suggest you start at Mid-Georgian or Victorian and go back to the beginning if you are finding it interesting.
This review is based on an advanced reader copy and not final published product.
There are bits and bobs of interesting facts sprinkled throughout, once you wade through the tall grass, unsure of your direction. At times, bits aren’t polished enough with surrounding sentences to grab attention. I caught myself re-reading paragraphs to get context, getting lost or mired in fact sentence after fact sentence without the linkages between to help me understand what all these facts amounted to. Its not conversational. There are occasional narratives that were easier to follow. The author can turn a phrase, and I do appreciate efficiency. Overall it leans toward narrative non-fiction. I just wish it was more narrative; more explanation, more interpretation, more juicy bits!
If you are a reader of the magazine Country Life, or have enjoyed his previous works, then you are likely to enjoy this one as well. There are many ARC reviewers who were excited and impressed by this work. It has a lot of information and the narrative does improve as the book goes on.
If you are a Downton Abbey fan and know little else, this isn’t likely to satisfy.
If you are in-between, I suggest you start at Mid-Georgian or Victorian and go back to the beginning if you are finding it interesting.
This review is based on an advanced reader copy and not final published product.
December 4, 2021
I squeezed in a final #nonfictionnovember contender with
THE STORY OF THE COUNTRY HOUSE
by Clive Aslet
Narrated by Simon Vance
I am a bit of a fan of the English Country House. I once took a class on the literature of Country Houses and loved every bit. This is a truly wonderful history and explanation of the Country House. I am really, really wishing I had illustrations to go with the amazing narration of this one. This would be so fabulous as a self-taught course with the audio and print book.
The history begins way back in the early medieval days with the communal halls and hunting lodges and connects through the Regency Period, all the Royal family Periods (Victorian, Edwardian, etc.). It shares how the Country House served its inhabitants through each transformation and style cycle with all the historical backgrounds and influences that came from the UK and beyond.
The writing was so engaging with some clear personal preferences revealed with clever wit. I may have chortled whilst listening a time or two! Plus, hearing the impeccable voice of Simon Vance say "chill out" in reference to how modern occupiers of these spaces behave was incongruous and delightful. There were also meaningful passages that highlighted the very real cost of these fabled homes in the lives that were used in the generation of funds, both through slavery and the servant classes.
Ultimately, if you are like me and enjoy research reading of a fascinating topic, this is a fantastic one. I would honestly prefer the print option over the audio alone, but both would simply be divine! Thank you @NetGalley for the chance to hear this incredible history. I loved it.
THE STORY OF THE COUNTRY HOUSE
by Clive Aslet
Narrated by Simon Vance
I am a bit of a fan of the English Country House. I once took a class on the literature of Country Houses and loved every bit. This is a truly wonderful history and explanation of the Country House. I am really, really wishing I had illustrations to go with the amazing narration of this one. This would be so fabulous as a self-taught course with the audio and print book.
The history begins way back in the early medieval days with the communal halls and hunting lodges and connects through the Regency Period, all the Royal family Periods (Victorian, Edwardian, etc.). It shares how the Country House served its inhabitants through each transformation and style cycle with all the historical backgrounds and influences that came from the UK and beyond.
The writing was so engaging with some clear personal preferences revealed with clever wit. I may have chortled whilst listening a time or two! Plus, hearing the impeccable voice of Simon Vance say "chill out" in reference to how modern occupiers of these spaces behave was incongruous and delightful. There were also meaningful passages that highlighted the very real cost of these fabled homes in the lives that were used in the generation of funds, both through slavery and the servant classes.
Ultimately, if you are like me and enjoy research reading of a fascinating topic, this is a fantastic one. I would honestly prefer the print option over the audio alone, but both would simply be divine! Thank you @NetGalley for the chance to hear this incredible history. I loved it.
May 17, 2022
3,5 stars
ARC received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A well-researched, interesting and well-documented book with illustrations and photographs. I occasionally I found it a bit dry, but it was mostly because of the abundance of information one had to stop and digest them from time to time.
Besides the architectural aspects, we are offered an extensive historical overview.
As I do not know much about architecture, I guess that readers who are more familiar with it, will find this books even more interesting.
ARC received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A well-researched, interesting and well-documented book with illustrations and photographs. I occasionally I found it a bit dry, but it was mostly because of the abundance of information one had to stop and digest them from time to time.
Besides the architectural aspects, we are offered an extensive historical overview.
As I do not know much about architecture, I guess that readers who are more familiar with it, will find this books even more interesting.
February 23, 2023
A great dive into the world of British country houses. As a visual person I would have preferred more photographs, instead of googling all of the houses mentioned! Also gorgeous cover and gorgeous thick pages with colored photographs. Quality.
January 23, 2022
Interesting information on the origins,
historic development and function of country houses in society from the Middle Ages to the present day.
historic development and function of country houses in society from the Middle Ages to the present day.
February 3, 2023
The Story of the Country House is an excellent nonfiction book about country houses and the people who live there. Starting from the 1100s, Aslet brings the reader through over 800 years of country houses from Roman to modern times.
Aslet strikes a good balance between detail and progressing the reader through the centuries. I'm sure that several books can be written on country houses in every century (probably more than several books!), but Aslet provides interesting backgrounds about these houses in a little over 200 pages. I wanted an overview of the history of country houses in the British Isles and that's what I got! I was waiting for the book to focus on one or two houses and families but Aslet really keeps it moving while providing interesting information. While this book covers eight centuries, it most likely won't take you 800 years to read.
I was a little nervous reading this book as I only know slightly more than nothing about architecture after the 1200s. I would have appreciated a little more description about architectural features as things like "cross wings" don't mean much to me. The pictures were really helpful to assist in the visualization (although I still can't tell you where cross wings would be). Recommend having Google images ready if you want some more information! Aslet also managed to sneak in a bunch of wit and this book actually had me laughing out loud in a few points, which is a few points more than I expected! My brother heard me laugh a couple of times and confirmed that I was still reading the book about architecture. Yep, it turns out that there is humor to be found among the cross wings!
As someone who has watched several PBS and BBC documentaries about country houses and visited quite a few, I thought that I would recognize more of the houses that were mentioned in the book. I appreciated the breadth of houses and locations within the British Isles, with several from Ireland and Scotland mentioned. I appreciated the variation in location and that the book didn't focus on one or two of the more well known houses.
I also appreciated Aslet's mention of some land owning women in their own right and women of color. While there were only a few mentions, it opened the content of the book wider than the common focus of White men, and even these inclusions are more than I have read in books of similar content. I would have loved more inclusion of women and people of color, but also recognize that country houses in the British Isles weren't the most diverse institutions. The book also does not shy away from the impact of imperialism on the rest of the world and what/who were negatively impacted because of the lavish living of a few.
Overall, this is a wonderful overview of country houses and I am very happy to have read it. If you would like a thorough, thoughtful, and surprisingly funny blend of architecture, human stories, and more traditional history, this book is for you. I am already planning on purchasing a paper copy for my dad for his birthday. Thank you NetGalley for the free advanced digital copy in exchange for a review!
Aslet strikes a good balance between detail and progressing the reader through the centuries. I'm sure that several books can be written on country houses in every century (probably more than several books!), but Aslet provides interesting backgrounds about these houses in a little over 200 pages. I wanted an overview of the history of country houses in the British Isles and that's what I got! I was waiting for the book to focus on one or two houses and families but Aslet really keeps it moving while providing interesting information. While this book covers eight centuries, it most likely won't take you 800 years to read.
I was a little nervous reading this book as I only know slightly more than nothing about architecture after the 1200s. I would have appreciated a little more description about architectural features as things like "cross wings" don't mean much to me. The pictures were really helpful to assist in the visualization (although I still can't tell you where cross wings would be). Recommend having Google images ready if you want some more information! Aslet also managed to sneak in a bunch of wit and this book actually had me laughing out loud in a few points, which is a few points more than I expected! My brother heard me laugh a couple of times and confirmed that I was still reading the book about architecture. Yep, it turns out that there is humor to be found among the cross wings!
As someone who has watched several PBS and BBC documentaries about country houses and visited quite a few, I thought that I would recognize more of the houses that were mentioned in the book. I appreciated the breadth of houses and locations within the British Isles, with several from Ireland and Scotland mentioned. I appreciated the variation in location and that the book didn't focus on one or two of the more well known houses.
I also appreciated Aslet's mention of some land owning women in their own right and women of color. While there were only a few mentions, it opened the content of the book wider than the common focus of White men, and even these inclusions are more than I have read in books of similar content. I would have loved more inclusion of women and people of color, but also recognize that country houses in the British Isles weren't the most diverse institutions. The book also does not shy away from the impact of imperialism on the rest of the world and what/who were negatively impacted because of the lavish living of a few.
Overall, this is a wonderful overview of country houses and I am very happy to have read it. If you would like a thorough, thoughtful, and surprisingly funny blend of architecture, human stories, and more traditional history, this book is for you. I am already planning on purchasing a paper copy for my dad for his birthday. Thank you NetGalley for the free advanced digital copy in exchange for a review!
July 17, 2021
Clive Aslet, The Story of the Country House, Yale University Press, 2021
Thank you, NetGalley, for this uncorrected proof for review.
This is a fascinating amalgam of history, architecture, biography, and description of the way in which the British country house developed. My reading was seriously impeded by the nature of the uncorrected copy, where on each page I was confronted by words missing letters. However, I wanted to persevere, as the list of contents was so enticing. The periods covered by this densely written book are: Medieval; Tudor and Elizabethan; Early Stuart; Commonwealth to Queen Anne; Early Georgian; Mid-Georgian; Regency to William 1V; Early and High Victorian; Turn of the Century; Between the Wars; Post -War and Recovery country houses.
There is an index and further reading.
Beginning with Aslet’s story about Stansted, we are told that a country house might have many uses, such as in this case, as a hunting lodge; become the home of many different families because of the lack of an heir; change over time through fire or other major damage; decay; rebuilding with entirely different architecture; or a lesser change, through remodeling. Each iteration can tell a story, and where he finds a story associated with changes, Aslet tells it. Such stories introduce historical events, capricious owners, and changes in fashion. Aslet weaves these into the overall historical period in which the country house so described was first erected.
I was particularly interested in Chatsworth, it being one of the houses I visited when living in the UK. Turning to this section I was rewarded with the observation that ‘country house’ is a ‘catch all’, covering homes such as Chatswood, as well as the ‘hand crafted Munstead Wood’. Surprisingly, Alnwick Castle is also a country house, and another familiar to me, so to is Kenwood House at Hampstead. Aslet’s further observations provide an historical context for the changes in the way the country house developed, was used, and has remained an understood description of a way of living.
This book, while full of information, is deftly threaded with some lively anecdotes and speculations about houses, owners, and events. It is not necessarily an easy read, but one in which it would be worth becoming immersed, thereby making the most of the variety of architectural, historical and biographical knowledge it has to offer.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this uncorrected proof for review.
This is a fascinating amalgam of history, architecture, biography, and description of the way in which the British country house developed. My reading was seriously impeded by the nature of the uncorrected copy, where on each page I was confronted by words missing letters. However, I wanted to persevere, as the list of contents was so enticing. The periods covered by this densely written book are: Medieval; Tudor and Elizabethan; Early Stuart; Commonwealth to Queen Anne; Early Georgian; Mid-Georgian; Regency to William 1V; Early and High Victorian; Turn of the Century; Between the Wars; Post -War and Recovery country houses.
There is an index and further reading.
Beginning with Aslet’s story about Stansted, we are told that a country house might have many uses, such as in this case, as a hunting lodge; become the home of many different families because of the lack of an heir; change over time through fire or other major damage; decay; rebuilding with entirely different architecture; or a lesser change, through remodeling. Each iteration can tell a story, and where he finds a story associated with changes, Aslet tells it. Such stories introduce historical events, capricious owners, and changes in fashion. Aslet weaves these into the overall historical period in which the country house so described was first erected.
I was particularly interested in Chatsworth, it being one of the houses I visited when living in the UK. Turning to this section I was rewarded with the observation that ‘country house’ is a ‘catch all’, covering homes such as Chatswood, as well as the ‘hand crafted Munstead Wood’. Surprisingly, Alnwick Castle is also a country house, and another familiar to me, so to is Kenwood House at Hampstead. Aslet’s further observations provide an historical context for the changes in the way the country house developed, was used, and has remained an understood description of a way of living.
This book, while full of information, is deftly threaded with some lively anecdotes and speculations about houses, owners, and events. It is not necessarily an easy read, but one in which it would be worth becoming immersed, thereby making the most of the variety of architectural, historical and biographical knowledge it has to offer.
July 28, 2021
The Story of the Country House was a delightful and informative read. As someone who has always enjoyed visiting National Trust and English Heritage properties, it was fascinating to read more about the development of such residences, both in terms of their use and their architectural style. Aslet's prose is easy flowing and though full of information never feels stodgy or weighed down by the recitation of facts. In truth, he paints a compelling picture of the houses and their owners, with fun tidbits mingled into the more scholarly discussion. This is a book that will please anyone with an interest in English history and/or English country estates and stately homes. It gets 4.5 stars from me.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2021
"The Story of the Country House" talked about the changes in the British country house (as found throughout the United Kingdom) from the Roman villa and Medieval manor house to modern times. The author broke the subject into time periods and talked about the social customs and developing technologies that influenced the layout and look of the houses. He talked about the people who built country houses (the owners and the architects) and about specific houses (including a picture, usually of the outside). He also talked about the different architectural styles and briefly about trends in landscaping styles, location selection, house size, etc. I'd recommend this book to those interested in the people who built and wider social context of British country houses.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
January 30, 2024
this was well written, well researched and very accessible.
my issue with it is solely that i didn’t find this topic anywhere near as interesting as i thought i would, which is no fault of the book.
my issue with it is solely that i didn’t find this topic anywhere near as interesting as i thought i would, which is no fault of the book.
August 15, 2021
For lovers of history and architecture, you can't do much better than Clive Aslet's excellent, The Story of a Country House. Aslet takes the reader on tours of some of the greatest houses in the UK, through the centuries from Roman precursors to present day.
This book is full of fascinating details about the estates, houses and the people who lived in them. It also gives the reader a feel for the political, social and cultural movements of each period. Lovely book. Highly recommended.
This book is full of fascinating details about the estates, houses and the people who lived in them. It also gives the reader a feel for the political, social and cultural movements of each period. Lovely book. Highly recommended.
April 23, 2023
This was a cozy, comforting read for me.
December 9, 2023
Fascinating view of history via the English country house.
January 10, 2022
3.5 stars
An architectural history of country houses in the British Isles, from the Middle Ages to the 21st C, but mainly focusing on the 18th & 19th C’s. Engagingly written, & I learned a lot.
[What I liked:]
•I learned a lot reading this book, and was thoroughly entertained! For example, I didn’t know that corridors/hallways were a continental innovation, & before that English houses just had long strings of connected rooms. Additionally, it was interesting to learn how architecture developed as a distinct discipline from construction/mason work during the enlightenment era.
•There are several amusing anecdotes, such as a nobleman & amateur garden designer who added a statue of himself to the grounds—a statue which had a fountain of a small dog peeing on his boot! There is also a story, during the scagliola boom, where English gentlemen were desperate to get trendy tables custom made for them. Alas, the scagliola craftsmen were grumpy Italian monks who made the furniture in their spare time for fun, & couldn’t be hurried along with promises of large sums of money! The correspondence relating that incident was hilarious.
•The writing style isn’t at all dry, & this book is easy to read even if you know little about architecture or landscape design (like me).
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•As the writer points out in the introduction, the definition of a “country house” is hard to pin down, and varies by era. That said, the book focuses on large houses built & updated by wealthy owners. It would’ve been interesting to hear about how trends in architecture among the wealthy & powerful influenced (or didn’t) the nearby dwellings of the middle and working class.
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
An architectural history of country houses in the British Isles, from the Middle Ages to the 21st C, but mainly focusing on the 18th & 19th C’s. Engagingly written, & I learned a lot.
[What I liked:]
•I learned a lot reading this book, and was thoroughly entertained! For example, I didn’t know that corridors/hallways were a continental innovation, & before that English houses just had long strings of connected rooms. Additionally, it was interesting to learn how architecture developed as a distinct discipline from construction/mason work during the enlightenment era.
•There are several amusing anecdotes, such as a nobleman & amateur garden designer who added a statue of himself to the grounds—a statue which had a fountain of a small dog peeing on his boot! There is also a story, during the scagliola boom, where English gentlemen were desperate to get trendy tables custom made for them. Alas, the scagliola craftsmen were grumpy Italian monks who made the furniture in their spare time for fun, & couldn’t be hurried along with promises of large sums of money! The correspondence relating that incident was hilarious.
•The writing style isn’t at all dry, & this book is easy to read even if you know little about architecture or landscape design (like me).
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•As the writer points out in the introduction, the definition of a “country house” is hard to pin down, and varies by era. That said, the book focuses on large houses built & updated by wealthy owners. It would’ve been interesting to hear about how trends in architecture among the wealthy & powerful influenced (or didn’t) the nearby dwellings of the middle and working class.
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
August 17, 2021
Author's definition of the country house: "a work of domestic architecture in a rural location, surrounded by its own land (although not necessarily a landed estate) and intended to seem a self-contained unit: its own "little kingdom", as nineteenth-century writers liked to call it. It is not working entity like a farmhouse, although work may be done from it. The inhabitants value it for many things: love of the land, status, self-expression through architecture and not least, the pleasure to be had there, with gardens, horses, dogs, art, collecting - delete as applicable. It has probably been made into mini-Arcadia, where owner and loved ones can find refuge from a harsh world. Size is not the issue. The country house is an idea, and it changes with each generation."
Picked up on a whim as part of my Jane Austen July themed reading effort I thoroughly enjoyed this history of British country houses. I learned a lot about evolution of country house design throughout history - beginning in the Roman period and ending during the coronavirus crisis in 2020. It was a satisfying read if a bit dense at places. My only criticism - it could do with more illustrations. I would appreciate to see a little photo of every building descibed in detail in the text. There are cca 50 photos, but it's not enough.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Picked up on a whim as part of my Jane Austen July themed reading effort I thoroughly enjoyed this history of British country houses. I learned a lot about evolution of country house design throughout history - beginning in the Roman period and ending during the coronavirus crisis in 2020. It was a satisfying read if a bit dense at places. My only criticism - it could do with more illustrations. I would appreciate to see a little photo of every building descibed in detail in the text. There are cca 50 photos, but it's not enough.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2021
This was an interesting nonfiction read.
This book provides detailed information about the evolution of the country houses in Britain, including both human stories and historical facts; it explores popular topics of fascination.
Aslet weaves together history, ownership, and architecture into an alluring picture of various country houses situated in the British Isles.
The text is filled with illustrations that make the houses easier to visualize.
Aslet also uses wit and humor to elevate the overall topic from becoming too dry.
I would recommend this to anyone interested in architecture and history.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook in return for an honest review.
This book provides detailed information about the evolution of the country houses in Britain, including both human stories and historical facts; it explores popular topics of fascination.
Aslet weaves together history, ownership, and architecture into an alluring picture of various country houses situated in the British Isles.
The text is filled with illustrations that make the houses easier to visualize.
Aslet also uses wit and humor to elevate the overall topic from becoming too dry.
I would recommend this to anyone interested in architecture and history.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook in return for an honest review.
August 4, 2025
This was a lively look at the rise, fall, and revival of Britain’s grand country homes. It dove into their architecture, history, and the fascinating people behind them, from eccentric owners to famous architects. It’s packed with stories, artist renderings, and photos of iconic houses like Chatsworth and Hatfield, as well as those heartbreakingly lost to time, showing why these places still capture our interest and imagination.
This was my sister’s choice for our sibling book club and I was thrilled because it was already on my shelf, thanks to @books_and_biewers who purchased this off of my wishlist over 2 years ago! Thank you, Nikki!
This book lived up to my expectations! While the author clearly did his research, the facts presented never felt overwhelming. Instead, it held my interest and has left me with a greater appreciation of British architecture and given me an even longer list of places I want to see when I’m in the UK!
Highly recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars
This was my sister’s choice for our sibling book club and I was thrilled because it was already on my shelf, thanks to @books_and_biewers who purchased this off of my wishlist over 2 years ago! Thank you, Nikki!
This book lived up to my expectations! While the author clearly did his research, the facts presented never felt overwhelming. Instead, it held my interest and has left me with a greater appreciation of British architecture and given me an even longer list of places I want to see when I’m in the UK!
Highly recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars
July 7, 2022
A real disappointment. I am an Anglophile and loved "The Mistresses of Cliveden" when I read it last year. I was hoping for a similar outcome with this book but alas it was not to be. The homes the author references are obscure and the families living in them unknown. I have learned as much as I could about English country houses through videos, TV shows and podcasts but virtually none of the properties in this book were familiar to me. The text is dry and pictures few. It is written more for someone of an architectural bent rather than a lover of all things British. Made myself finish it.
October 10, 2023
What's not to love about this book? It is so well researched and thorough and I truly feel like I learned so much about the history of the English country house and how it has progressed over the centuries. It was so interesting to dive into the changes in architecture over the years and beyond. I look forward to reading more from Clive Aslet. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.
August 23, 2021
The Story of the Country House is the story of Britain told through the history of its stately homes. These heritage buildings preserve brilliant architecture and prized art collections and have hosted guests ranging from royalty to recuperating soldiers. Architectural historian and journalist Clive Aslet takes you on an extraordinary tour of these famous locations starting at the beginning - all the way at the beginning, back to the Romans. The reader is then guided from medieval times to present day, although readers will likely be most familiar with the Georgian, Regency and Victorian eras from film and television productions.
This book serves as an excellent introductory course on British history as each chapter provides an overview of royalty, government, the expansion of empire, war, economic shifts and cultural changes that shaped the history of these family seats. Despite the cheerful cover, this book does not shy away from discussing some of the more difficult aspects of colonialism, race and how these grand homes and their families were funded through the vast "tentacles" of slavery. Aslet observes that "modern writers cannot turn their eyes from the distasteful economy of the Age of Taste: most Georgian country-house owners managed to ignore the human misery that was being suffered in distant countries - as successfully, it might be said, as western consumers fail to remember the sweated conditions and oppressive regimes under which cheap garments and mobile technology can be produced today."
Often popular history books are really 'English' histories, but Aslet includes information about the country homes and the people of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It is impossible to separate the histories of these homes from the local economy and the people who worked there, so much is said about forced migration, displacement and uprisings. I was unaware that during Ireland's struggle to secede more than "275 Irish country houses were burnt down or blown up."
Technology changes ranging from the steam engine to advances in household tools shaped the life of the owners and their numerous servants. Bicycles and cars meant people could pop in and out of their country homes and could have a social circle beyond their immediate neighbours of similar class. It's interesting to read about how progress either brought an end to the country house lifestyle or reinvigorated their owner's finances.
On the lighter side of things, I greatly enjoyed reading about the development of taste, where 'taste' was a 'gentlemanly attribute, it spoke of shared values and common assumptions...' You'll learn a fair bit about Greek and Roman architecture from this book, as those wealthy young men and their influencers brought ideas back for their homes and gardens from their grand tours. It helpfully includes a number of colour illustrations and photos throughout the text to illustrate the key homes of interest or to showcase homes which sadly no longer exist. I especially enjoyed the later sections on the resurgence of the country home. It was amusing to read how different families sought to recreate aspects of the past after the trauma of WWI. Some wanted to 'retreat to the cosiness of the Tudor past before aerial warfare and the artillery barrage.' Others turned away from the old world and looked to the United States for new developments in luxurious comforts, gadgets and modern designs.
This book would be a wonderful gift for fans of British history, classic literature or period dramas. For example, the stories of destitute aristocrats marrying Americans to save their stately home was a main plot point in Downton Abbey. Descriptions of the country social scene, new money and military service will be familiar to fans of Jane Austen and William Makepeace Thackeray. It's an ideal book for those wishing to travel by armchair in a time where "social relations more akin to the age of Jane Austen than the twenty-first century: family members had to rely on each other for company, since they were not allowed out." This well researched book showcasing the treasure homes of Britain is indeed a treasure.
This book was provided by Yale University Press for review.
This book serves as an excellent introductory course on British history as each chapter provides an overview of royalty, government, the expansion of empire, war, economic shifts and cultural changes that shaped the history of these family seats. Despite the cheerful cover, this book does not shy away from discussing some of the more difficult aspects of colonialism, race and how these grand homes and their families were funded through the vast "tentacles" of slavery. Aslet observes that "modern writers cannot turn their eyes from the distasteful economy of the Age of Taste: most Georgian country-house owners managed to ignore the human misery that was being suffered in distant countries - as successfully, it might be said, as western consumers fail to remember the sweated conditions and oppressive regimes under which cheap garments and mobile technology can be produced today."
Often popular history books are really 'English' histories, but Aslet includes information about the country homes and the people of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It is impossible to separate the histories of these homes from the local economy and the people who worked there, so much is said about forced migration, displacement and uprisings. I was unaware that during Ireland's struggle to secede more than "275 Irish country houses were burnt down or blown up."
Technology changes ranging from the steam engine to advances in household tools shaped the life of the owners and their numerous servants. Bicycles and cars meant people could pop in and out of their country homes and could have a social circle beyond their immediate neighbours of similar class. It's interesting to read about how progress either brought an end to the country house lifestyle or reinvigorated their owner's finances.
On the lighter side of things, I greatly enjoyed reading about the development of taste, where 'taste' was a 'gentlemanly attribute, it spoke of shared values and common assumptions...' You'll learn a fair bit about Greek and Roman architecture from this book, as those wealthy young men and their influencers brought ideas back for their homes and gardens from their grand tours. It helpfully includes a number of colour illustrations and photos throughout the text to illustrate the key homes of interest or to showcase homes which sadly no longer exist. I especially enjoyed the later sections on the resurgence of the country home. It was amusing to read how different families sought to recreate aspects of the past after the trauma of WWI. Some wanted to 'retreat to the cosiness of the Tudor past before aerial warfare and the artillery barrage.' Others turned away from the old world and looked to the United States for new developments in luxurious comforts, gadgets and modern designs.
This book would be a wonderful gift for fans of British history, classic literature or period dramas. For example, the stories of destitute aristocrats marrying Americans to save their stately home was a main plot point in Downton Abbey. Descriptions of the country social scene, new money and military service will be familiar to fans of Jane Austen and William Makepeace Thackeray. It's an ideal book for those wishing to travel by armchair in a time where "social relations more akin to the age of Jane Austen than the twenty-first century: family members had to rely on each other for company, since they were not allowed out." This well researched book showcasing the treasure homes of Britain is indeed a treasure.
This book was provided by Yale University Press for review.
September 25, 2021
What an interesting, entertaining, didactic book this is. I enjoyed it thoroughly and will be buying a paper copy for this Christmas. Definitely, a book which has many uses, and it is not just to be read once and forgotten, but I feel that I will come back to it again and again.
On the one hand this is exactly what the title says: a story of the English country house, ie a narrative that traces the birth and evolution of the typology from the Middle Ages to our days (one of the buildings considered was finished in 2019) and does so from an architectural, historical and personal point of view. Not only do we learn about the changing spacial arrangements of the house and the reasons behind them (political, social, aesthetic, economic), but we also get an intelligent, never patronising, introduction to architectural terms (be them enfilades or different approaches to dealing with columns), and the all important human element of the story (owners, builders, architects, monarchs...) is dealt with great anecdotes (eg poor Pugin collapsing at 15 in Notre Dame of drawing exhaustion or the vagaries of ), and succinct but revealing portraits (eg the 1st Duke of Devonshire "a fiery and dissolute man who fought several duels and gambled heavily non the races and cockfights at Newmarket").
The illustrations which accompany the text are relatively sparse but always making a point, and they do whet the appetite to either visit the place if at all possible, or to read further on the topic - and there is a well-thought-out bibliography/further-reading section, and a full index.
I would have loved to have the names of the houses in bold throughout the text, and/or an appendix arranged by the capitular historic headings with the names of those houses. Equally, a county section with the houses described... because I feel that in its masterful succinctness this is a proper companion guide (to keep and refer to) to many hours of enjoyment actually visiting many of the places mentioned or looking and reading at home.
The great beauty of this book, a tour-de-force of compression yet detailed knowledge, is to remind us, to make us see the houses considered in a proper continuum, not in isolation, as we often see them, but as a network to be thought about in relation to each other, to their past and present times. Scholarly yet very accessible, this story actually democratises this most class-ridden of buildings, and somehow shows them for what they are: artefacts of projection and not only private but also communal endeavour.
Many thanks to Yale University Press via NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this great book.
On the one hand this is exactly what the title says: a story of the English country house, ie a narrative that traces the birth and evolution of the typology from the Middle Ages to our days (one of the buildings considered was finished in 2019) and does so from an architectural, historical and personal point of view. Not only do we learn about the changing spacial arrangements of the house and the reasons behind them (political, social, aesthetic, economic), but we also get an intelligent, never patronising, introduction to architectural terms (be them enfilades or different approaches to dealing with columns), and the all important human element of the story (owners, builders, architects, monarchs...) is dealt with great anecdotes (eg poor Pugin collapsing at 15 in Notre Dame of drawing exhaustion or the vagaries of ), and succinct but revealing portraits (eg the 1st Duke of Devonshire "a fiery and dissolute man who fought several duels and gambled heavily non the races and cockfights at Newmarket").
The illustrations which accompany the text are relatively sparse but always making a point, and they do whet the appetite to either visit the place if at all possible, or to read further on the topic - and there is a well-thought-out bibliography/further-reading section, and a full index.
I would have loved to have the names of the houses in bold throughout the text, and/or an appendix arranged by the capitular historic headings with the names of those houses. Equally, a county section with the houses described... because I feel that in its masterful succinctness this is a proper companion guide (to keep and refer to) to many hours of enjoyment actually visiting many of the places mentioned or looking and reading at home.
The great beauty of this book, a tour-de-force of compression yet detailed knowledge, is to remind us, to make us see the houses considered in a proper continuum, not in isolation, as we often see them, but as a network to be thought about in relation to each other, to their past and present times. Scholarly yet very accessible, this story actually democratises this most class-ridden of buildings, and somehow shows them for what they are: artefacts of projection and not only private but also communal endeavour.
Many thanks to Yale University Press via NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this great book.
October 4, 2023
Plutôt 3,5/5. 4 si vous aimez vraiment beaucoup l'architecture.
Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec The Story of the Country House ?
"J'étais tombée en amour devant cette couverture en explorant les nouvelles sorties à venir et le livre avait directement rejoint ma petite liste au père noël."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"De l'époque médiévale à nos jours, Clive Aslet décortique l'histoire de la maison de campagne en Angleterre et au Royaume-Uni, et explore à travers elle différents sujets comme la royauté, les tendances, l'émergence de l'architecture..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"Je pense que c'est typiquement le genre de livre pour lequel je n'aurais pas craqué si j'avais pu le feuilleter en librairie. Je ne m'attendais pas à quelque chose de si dense, ni de si académique. Et après la lecture, ce sont des éléments que je continue à regretter. Si le pays, et ses magnifiques demeures, me passionne, c'est moins le cas de l'architecture elle-même. J'ai donc était très intéressée par certains passages et beaucoup moins par d'autres, forcément. Mais j'avais tort de m'inquiéter malgré tout parce que cela reste une lecture accessible. Je n'ai pas souffert sur des longueurs ou des passages abscons et l'auteur à même de l'humour mais après tout, c'est un anglais. En revanche, le peu de photos et illustrations (et souvent petites et de piètres qualités) reste pour moi une erreur dans ce genre d'ouvrage. Je veux bien entendre parler pendant des pages d'une demeure, des plus petits détails de sa construction et de chaque matériau utilisé mais si je ne la vois pas de mes yeux, cela perd quand même beaucoup de son attrait."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"J'en sors riche de nombreuses connaissances que j'aurai sûrement très bientôt oubliées mais ça ne m'empêche pas d'avoir apprécié cette promenade dans la campagne anglaise."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec The Story of the Country House ?
"J'étais tombée en amour devant cette couverture en explorant les nouvelles sorties à venir et le livre avait directement rejoint ma petite liste au père noël."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"De l'époque médiévale à nos jours, Clive Aslet décortique l'histoire de la maison de campagne en Angleterre et au Royaume-Uni, et explore à travers elle différents sujets comme la royauté, les tendances, l'émergence de l'architecture..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"Je pense que c'est typiquement le genre de livre pour lequel je n'aurais pas craqué si j'avais pu le feuilleter en librairie. Je ne m'attendais pas à quelque chose de si dense, ni de si académique. Et après la lecture, ce sont des éléments que je continue à regretter. Si le pays, et ses magnifiques demeures, me passionne, c'est moins le cas de l'architecture elle-même. J'ai donc était très intéressée par certains passages et beaucoup moins par d'autres, forcément. Mais j'avais tort de m'inquiéter malgré tout parce que cela reste une lecture accessible. Je n'ai pas souffert sur des longueurs ou des passages abscons et l'auteur à même de l'humour mais après tout, c'est un anglais. En revanche, le peu de photos et illustrations (et souvent petites et de piètres qualités) reste pour moi une erreur dans ce genre d'ouvrage. Je veux bien entendre parler pendant des pages d'une demeure, des plus petits détails de sa construction et de chaque matériau utilisé mais si je ne la vois pas de mes yeux, cela perd quand même beaucoup de son attrait."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"J'en sors riche de nombreuses connaissances que j'aurai sûrement très bientôt oubliées mais ça ne m'empêche pas d'avoir apprécié cette promenade dans la campagne anglaise."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
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