The Country House Library (York Manuscript and Early Print Studies)

Wonderful photos and design inspiration, probably more suited to top-end budgets unless you know a very reasonable and skilled carpenter/joiner. A pleasure to read.

Comprehensive and readable.

I dismissed the critical reviews of this book, thinking them petty and too concerned with pretty pictures. However upon reading the book from cover to cover I can understand their points (only a fraction of the libraries mentioned are shown, a lot using small archive/ stock photos in black and white). Funnily enough Tatton library is mentioned many times throughout the book, but not one single image is ever shown (it's a good thing I still have the guidebook from when I visited the place).Other images include title pages of random books, building plans of mansions, exteriors of buildings and portraits of nobles, rather than actual library rooms. It would be accurate to say that 80% of the information consists of biographies of rich gentlemen who owned libraries - endless lists of dates and names of Charles, Henrys and Richards, Earls, Dukes and Marquis so and so, their lives and other mind numbingly irrelevant details such as taxes, family disputes, sales of books and or libraries and how much the cost.I'm sure someone considers this inane minutiae fascinating, perhaps a handful of niche scholars, but the vast majority of the curious public is probably like myself; more interested in how a library is put together, the furniture and design, how it was used, who read, what kinds of books they read back in the day, for what purpose, their thoughts and feelings while relaxing there. These nuggets of information can be found scattered throughout the book, the only problem is having to wade through a thick sea of stale text and occasional hints of snobbery from the author in order to get to the interesting tidbits.In contrast to the other glowing reviews and choice selection of the illustrated pages, I have also included pictures of less interesting ones for the prospective buyer to make an informed decision. I would personally describe this as a model library book for a bookish layman. Worth perusing for short term interest, but is overly padded and too academic to necessarily keep in the house.

Very disappointed in the book!The subject matter is well researched but the illustrations are dreadful!I don't know if it's anything to do with the reproduction but they are far too dark and uninspiring!I see far better illustrations of libraries in stately home and larger houses on Pinterest!I would have returned the book but I'd recycled the packaging

A note for buyers: this is not a book for you if you want detailed or good quality picturesThere are probably quite a few people who might consider buying this book: those interested in history and the academic background of the aristocratic interest in books, book collecting and stately home libraries, or also those who want to look at gorgeous pictures of libraries and the interiors in which they are set: either because they like escapism or because they are a craftsman looking to replicate details and borrow ideas.This book is only for the first category of reader!This book is overwhelming text (three quarters to four fifths is text), whilst the pictures that are used are generally small (rarely being largest than one page) and of low quality resolution (many look like stock National Trust photos - not the much better resolution you'd be used to if you bought interiors books). There is also very little to no pictures of the libraries architectural details - like architraves, cornices or shelving. A carpenter could strain their eyes, but not be much the wiser!

Wonderful book. Eminently readable and beautifully produced.

It can be used either as reference or as an interesting read. Excellent details of how country libraries were developed and owned with details of the houses where they are sited.

This is a beautiful book and a fascinating read; I am loving it. Perfect for any serious booklover