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Chatsworth: The House Hardcover – January 1, 2002
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Enjoy the Duchess of Devonshire's highly personal account of what it's like to live at Chatsworth. With the warmth and wit you expect from one of the Mitford sisters, it transcends any run-of-the-mill guidebook BBC Homes & Antiques ... an intellectual and visual treat Period Living As a souvenir of a visit to Chatsworth this beautiful book is flawless; as an insight into the life of a great stately home it is indispensable Beautiful Britain
About the Author
Deborah, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire is the youngest of the seven children of the second Baron Redesdale and sister of the writers Nancy and Jessica Mitford and Diana Mosley. The Duke and Duchess lived at Chatsworth from 1950 on and lovingly restored the house and gardens. Simon Upton is a photographer specialising in interiors and portrait photography. He has contributed to many books and his work appears in Vogue, Tatler, World of Interiors, Harpers and Queen, House and Garden and other publications.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
56 of 56 people found the following review helpful
By
MartinP
on August 20, 2005
Format: Hardcover
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There is no shortage of books on English country houses, but books dedicated in their totality to one single house are surprisingly rare (and those that do exist do not necessarily cover the most obvious houses - there are books on Tyntesfield, Clouds, and Waddesdon Manor, but none on Blenheim Palace, Wilton House or Castle Howard. A book on Holkham Hall is in the making, though). Some books that discuss a greater number of houses are quite excellent (e.g., Great Houses of England and Wales by Hugh Montgomery-Massingbird), but it is hard not to feel shortchanged when a house as rich as Chatsworth is delt with in just a handful of pages. Here is the better alternative. I have collected a great many books on english country house history over the years, but this is certainly one of the most beautiful and satisfying of them all. Everything about it is right.
Chatsworth was already a tourist magnet in Jane Austen's days, and very much remains so today. Sequestered in its gorgeous green valley, it is the quintessential 'great house' in the quintessential English landscape. This book must be the next best thing to an actual visit; in fact, in some ways it may be better, for how many visitors enjoy the pleasure of being shown around by the Duchess of Devonshire herself? And a pleasure it is. The texts are immediately involving, due to their well-balanced mix of (art)history, anecdote, wit and personal recollections and reflections. Family, staff, and visitors all feature in the biography of a place that is very much alive, even though its maintenance poses daunting challenges. Never pompous, the lively, at times delightfully tongue-in-cheek style of the Duchess's writing betrays that she stems from a literary family (she is the sister of Nancy Mitford).Read more ›
Chatsworth was already a tourist magnet in Jane Austen's days, and very much remains so today. Sequestered in its gorgeous green valley, it is the quintessential 'great house' in the quintessential English landscape. This book must be the next best thing to an actual visit; in fact, in some ways it may be better, for how many visitors enjoy the pleasure of being shown around by the Duchess of Devonshire herself? And a pleasure it is. The texts are immediately involving, due to their well-balanced mix of (art)history, anecdote, wit and personal recollections and reflections. Family, staff, and visitors all feature in the biography of a place that is very much alive, even though its maintenance poses daunting challenges. Never pompous, the lively, at times delightfully tongue-in-cheek style of the Duchess's writing betrays that she stems from a literary family (she is the sister of Nancy Mitford).Read more ›
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By
A Customer
on November 13, 2002
Format: Hardcover
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Fabulous and delightful. A wonderful book with terrific pictures. The Duchess writes with wit and charm. I find this book a delight to pick up and just browse and enjoy. A objective but candid look at living in and maintaining a national and family treasure (not to mention coping with a couple of centuries of collecting and interior decorating!).
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By
Shannon Deason
on March 10, 2006
Format: Hardcover
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This is may not be the largest of the great English estates, but I'm not sure there is one more beautiful or better realized. This house is a stunner and what makes this book all the more interesting is that one of the authors is the duchess herself. This images are wonderful, they are crisp and vivid. It is said that Jane Austen considered this the most beautiful house in England and thumbing through this book it's hard to argue. Really a beautiful book perfectly realized.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By
Ed
on April 21, 2008
Format: Hardcover
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This is a very high quality book containing beautiful photos and personable, informative, text. The enjoyment of the book is enhanced by the fun, witty writing style of the Duchess of Devonshire. While the book contains a great deal if historic information, there is an equal amount of fun and entertainment, as a balance. Having restored and lived in the property for more than 50 years, the author gives a first hand narrative of this amazing British Home.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By
Carol E. Wallace
on March 28, 2008
Format: Hardcover
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An outstanding book on one of England's stateliest of Stately Homes written in a very entertaining down to earth way by the Duchess of Devonshire. The photographs are wonderful with a balance between showcasing the grandeur of the building and humanizing the place by also focusing on the people who live and work there.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By
S. Kemp
on June 7, 2007
Format: Hardcover
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If you saw the Chatsworth exhibit which visited the Tyler, Texas museum, you will find this book greatly enhances your perspective. Although my daughter bought me the DVD from the exhibit, this book gave me much more indepth. I highly recommend it and, as always, Amazon has the very best price!!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By
Reading Rocks
on April 19, 2012
Format: Hardcover
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I plan on visiting Chatsworth on my next trip to England which is why I made this purchase. Being a fan of English country houses and the lives lived within, I couldn't wait to read this book. It is fabulous - not only are there plenty of great photos, but you really get the inside information about the history of the house, what it's like to live there, the history behind the decor, and how it is run now. The photos are fabulous and the Duchess of Devonshire's style of writing makes it an interesting and great read. I'd suggest that before reading this book, you read the Duchess's memoir ("Wait for Me") which sheds more light on her life at Chatsworth in addition to her personal life. Can't wait to actually go on a tour of Chatsworth and see everything in person.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By
William B. Goetz
on December 21, 2008
Format: Hardcover
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An excellent read of one of the most wonderful houses in the United Kingdom.....anyone who is interested in the history of this great nation, or interested in architecture would find this book really great.
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