UK Holidays - Blenheim And the Churchill Family: A Personal Portrait

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Binding: Hardcover Dewey Decimal Number: 942.57 EAN: 9780847827404 ISBN: 0847827402 Label: Rizzoli Manufacturer: Rizzoli Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 224 Publication Date: 2005-10-25 Publisher: Rizzoli Release Date: 2005-10-25 Studio: Rizzoli
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Editorial Reviews: Every history buff wishes that walls could talk. In this first book ever written about Blenheim and the Churchills by a family member, Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill explores the relationship between one of history's most important families and its ancestral home. As though perusing a family album, she conveys the family's exceptional history and how each generation changed the estate and how it changed them. Momentous events that changed the course of history are recounted as family reminiscences. Blenheim was a reward from Queen Anne to the first Duke of Marlborough for saving much of Europe from the domination of Louis XIV, and instantly became the family's center stage. Sir Winston Churchill was born in a back bedroom to his American-born mother, Jennie Jerome. Later, he directed Britain's World War II efforts from its study. Blenheim has witnessed some of history's most colorful characters including the ancestors of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and Consuelo Vanderbilt, the American heiress who conquered British high society.Widely considered England's finest example of baroque architecture, this is a rare glimpse into parts of the house never seen on public tours, and no history buff or visitor will want to be without this remarkable guide.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Great book Comment: Not only does this book have great pictures but Henrietta Churchill-Spender dishes on the gossip about her illustrious ancestors. I was privileged to enjoy a tour of the private quarters of the Duke at Blenheim Palace and lots of the pictures are of parts of his home not always open to the public. There is even a picture of the Duke's favorite old green leather chair. Beautiful book with beautiful pictures of a magnificent home. Customer Rating: Summary: More English than the Royals, and more accomplished, Comment: The Spencer-Churchills are a remarkable family. This well-illustrated, handsomely produced account by a member of the family, is a fascinating 400 year social history of this clan. Meant for a wide audience, this work gives a sneak peek into the private lives of some of England's best, such as John Churchill, the first Duke, and Sir Winston Churchill. The unique illustrations alone make the book worth buying. A must have for any lover of royalty, Sir Winston, the Stuart Dynasty, English biography, or social history. Customer Rating: Summary: ENGLANDS GRANDEST ESTATE Comment: This is a very good book on a fascinating family and a grand estate. Blenheim is without doubt the grandest of the non royal estates, it really is quite a stack of stones. The history makes the house all the more interesting. From the first Duke of Marlborough to Consuelo Vanderbilt to Winston Churchill, this estate has really seen some history. The images in this book are very good and the text is very well researched. Looking at the sumptuousness of this colosses, it is apparent that Queen Anne was more that a little pleased with the Dukes campaigns against the Sun King, for this estate was much nicer than anything the Crown possessed. Customer Rating: Summary: INTERESTING BOOK WITH INFORMATIVE TEXT AND GORGEOUS PHOTOS Comment: I received this book as a gift and it has been read and looked at many, many times. The photographs by Andreas von Einsiedel and Geoff Dann are stunning and show the splendours of Blenheim Palace in all their ancient glory. There is an informative genealogical table and the bibliography is short but informative - especially when the author used Marian Fowlers book, Blenheim: Biography of a Palace (1991) as a source. This is the perfect coffe table book and would make a glorious Christmas or Hannukah gift. Very highly recommended - especially for the photographs. Timothy Wingate OTTAWA Canada More Reviews