Aristocrats: The Illustrated Companion [Hardcover]

Stella Tillyard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1999

A rich social history of the eighteenth century that accompanies a BBC TV series, here is the story of four sisters as threads in the tapestry of a grand era. The daughters of the Second Duke and Duchess of Richmond lived in magnificence as mistresses of some of the most splendid houses in England and Ireland through turbulent times, from the Jacobite Rebellion to the French Revolution. Photographs reveal the spectacular treasure trove of houses, furniture, objects, and paintings that they had commissioned, while stills taken on the location of the TV drama show the actors in their settings and costumes. A historian and best-selling author takes you deep into their opinions, tastes, and habits, describing everything from how and where they bought their furniture and found their gardeners to the details of their lifestyle. A beautiful introduction to a majestic world. 208 pages, 135 color illus., 16 b/w illus., 7 3/4 x 9 1/2. NEW IN PAPERBACK

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Engrossing" audio review Karen Robinson, The Sunday Times 9/5/99 "A dazzling achievement: an extraordinary story told by a phenomenally gifted writer. Within its gripping narrative lies a wonderfully rich reconstruction of the world of the Hanoverian elite, its virtues and vices wittily and movingly related." Simon Schama "Aristocrats is my favourite kind of history: on the one hand it's lucid and scholarly, on the other hand it reads like a novel. I hated to finish it." Antonia Fraser

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; 2nd edition (December 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0297825054
• ISBN-13: 978-0297825050
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,411,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! Enchanting! Fascinating! Read this NOW!, March 13, 2000

By 

Amy Wallace "Buttonsamy" (Bolinas, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Aristocrats: The Illustrated Companion (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book! I bought the video from Borders, (39.99) and I LOVED it! Of course, to follow up, I had to but the book. There are two versions of this book, the telivision companion, which I prefer since it has better pictures, and more pictures in color. Stella Tillyard did a fabulous job of writing this book! This edition, has pictures from the video series, and contains the text telling the stories of the Lennox sisters, their passions, deceptions and timless love for one another. I can't get enough of this book! If you have not seen this video, buy it! I promise you will watch it again and again! The costumes are fabulous, and the actors LOOK like the real people! It is made by the BBC. I would buy both versions of the books as well. [e-mail]