Country House and World War 2 Hardcover – March 6, 2014

I'm three-quarters through this marvelous book. The photography is stunning, and in its original black and white high resolution format, are art pieces in themselves. The writing is charming and full of detail and fascinating anecdotal stories of owners and historians. Why then only four stars? In all of the stories of the houses are frequent mention of the main hall, the west wing, the conservatory, etc. It would have been most helpful to those of us who had not the pleasure to visit the houses for the author/publishers to include a floor plan with each house. It would have helped me and certain others better appreciate the unfolding story's.

This book is long overdue and a great follow-up to his earlier book "The Country House at War". It would have been nice to have seen more wartime photos of the houses instead of old Country Life photos of the interiors. The past few years I spent researching country houses used as schools during the war. I have had the honor to talk with many former evacuees. I reverently published my first book based on my research and interviews with former evacuees. It is entitled, " School in a Scottish Castle: The Story of Thirlestane Castle and the Evacuation of St. Hilary’s School for Girl’s".  School in a Scottish Castle: The Story of Thirlestane Castle and the Evacuation of St. Hilary?s School for Girl?s

To the degree that it revealed the necessity of the times it was interesting to see which homes were chosen and which were requisitioned.

VERY, VERY INTERESTING - HAVE ALWAYS HEARD OF THE STORIES OF THESE GREAT HOUSES BEING USED DURING THE WARS -- WAS GOOD TO SEE PHOTOS...

beautiful book and wonderful photographs.

Great tragedies all compiled for you to weep over.

I nearly enjoyed this book, but there was something about the slightly irreverent writing style of the author that sometimes rankled a bit. Just the odd quip here and there ruined what was a fairly informative book. I have read a lot of architectural history books on similar subjects and found this didn't quite engage me as well. It was OK.

Absolutely marvellous.Striking stories about the requisitioned houses for the war. A sad but very interesting testemony of these historic facts.Good and very well chosen photographs.I'm fully satisfied with the product.

A fascinating book and companion to the author's "Felling The Ancient Oaks". Each of the selected houses has a different story to tell and the accompanying photographs are exceptional.

A most readable and informative book that deals with the fate of many of our finest houses who gave their all for their country

A very dark period in Country House history and especially what came after! Interesting reading with lots if good pictures - so sad how many houses were ruined and later demolished...