The English Country House: A Tapestry of Ages

With an introduction by British architectural historian Mark Girouard, Maroon's picture book expands his National Geographic coverage of storied English manors. As in his prizewinners The Egypt Story and Maroon on Georgetown, the text and splendid color photos combine a history with illustrations of these national treasures. Interviews with several of the stately homes' owners enliven the text, but readers will undoubtedly focus on the dazzling photographs. There are views of grand halls and chambers and closeups of statuary and paintings preserved from ages past. The vistas of the surrounding landscapes and gardens impress one with their size and the labor necessary to maintain such great edifices as Blenheim Palace (built by the Duke of Marlborough in 1705 and home to Winston Churchill), Longleat, Woburn Abbey and other heritages of Empire. BOMC dividend selection. (October)