The Country House Library

Name: The Country House Library
Brand: Unknown
SKU: 9780300248685
Price: 71.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Mark Purcell

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3.8

( 50 ratings, 11 reviews)

Summary

The Country House Library by Mark Purcell offers a comprehensive survey of British and Irish country house libraries, tracing their history from Roman villas to modern times. Through rich illustrations and engaging anecdotes, the book explores the acquisition, architectural design, and preservation of these libraries. Purcell challenges the idea that these collections were mere showpieces, demonstrating their scholarly intent and intellectual use. Published in association with the National Trust, this volume is a treasure for anyone fascinated by books and the homes that safeguard them.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$71⁹⁹

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The Country House Library

$71⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is perfect for enthusiasts of book collecting, library architecture, and British and Irish cultural history. It will appeal to scholars, collectors, and anyone fascinated by the intellectual and aesthetic history of country house libraries.

Description

Beginning with new evidence that cites the presence of books in Roman villas and concluding with present-day vicissitudes of collecting, this generously illustrated book presents a complete survey of British and Irish country house libraries. Replete with engaging anecdotes about owners and librarians, the book features fascinating information on acquisition bordering on obsession, the process of designing library architecture, and the care (and neglect) of collections.

The author also disputes the notion that these libraries were merely for show, arguing that many of them were profoundly scholarly, assembled with meticulous care, and frequently used for intellectual pursuits.

For those who love books and the libraries in which they are collected and stored, The Country House Library is an essential volume to own.

Published in association with the National Trust.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised as 'magisterial' and 'beautifully illustrated,' the book is recognised as a significant scholarly contribution to book history. Critics highlight Purcell's authority on the subject as former National Trust libraries curator, calling the work 'a tremendous achievement' and 'boundlessly informative.' It has been included in the Irish Independent end of year list for 2017, underscoring its importance for lovers of literature and cultural heritage.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300248685

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 August 2019

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 150 color + 50 b-w illus.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 216.0mm

Height: 267.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 352

Collections

Arts & Culture European History History & Archaeology History & Military Mark Purcell Non-Fiction

About the Author

Mark Purcell is deputy director of Cambridge University Library and was the former libraries curator to the National Trust.