Customer Reviews

Behind the Doors of San Miguel de Allende

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Robert de Gast has provided fabulous access to the colors of San Miguel de Allende. On every visit I stroll the streets craving entry to the courtyards of these beautiful residences and have tried,in vain,to capture the hues and design of the city in my own photographs. This book is a must for anyone who has been to San Miguel as a momento of its visual treasures, and also for those who are inspired by the brave use of color in architecture and design.

I wanted interiors, not courtyards. Based on what little info Amazon has provided I expected interiors to be "behind the doors". As for courtyard ideas it is good but not great. Most are a little better than average. I didn't want to rate the book lower just because it isn't what I wanted and the title is a little misleading. The author's book "The Doors of SMA" is very good. It shows doors. - jim

However, If you would like to read about San Miguel, then this is not the book for you. There are about 8-9 pages of reading, then 80 pages of photos. Not very much info on San Miguel.
Not what I was looking for.

Strolling down the cobblestone streets of San Miguel De Allende is a unique experience. From behind the unassuming whitewashed walls standing flush with the sidewalks, pierced here and there by a window adorned with a moucharabieh , one can catches glimpses of life... Music, laughs, the scent of a promising menudo in the making, a child whose eyes will follow you down the street, a kitten napping in the sun on the window sill...

In this Spanish colonial town, much of life takes place out of the passer-by's sight. Following a traditional Andalucian floor plan, the rooms, linked by a colonnaded court, open around a central courtyard, or patio outfitted with a pila , and whose lush and colorful vegetation tempers the austerity of the house seen from the street...

Through the eye of Robert de Gast, we are ushered behind these doors to discover lush gardens, antique cantera and saltillo floors,soothing fountains and all these amazing construction details that define Spanish Colonial architecture.

A great book to savor, whether you are building or remodeling in the Southwest or Mexico, or you simply enjoy great photography and architecture...

San Miguel de Allende is a lovely historical colonial town located in the central highlands in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. A sleepy town until a bunch of American GI's returning from the war settled there, so it was suggested and now the de facto fact. Word soon spread and the price of the real estate soared. San Miguel de Allende now boasts the second largest expatriate community found in Mexico.

This book romantizes and glamorizes the homes and hotels of and for the wealthy. Perhaps the title is more applicable "Behind the doors of the rich in San Miguel de Allende". It has beautifully photographed pictures and probably makes a nice coffee table book. If you are thinking of buying or remodeling your home in San Miguel, this book surely gives you some good ideas. Better yet, go visit there yourself and take a couple of the home and garden tours offered by the library in San Miguel.

Oh, the front page showed the hotel Casa Sierra de Nevada in the park. It is no longer that but now the Hotel Quinta Real. It no longer qualifies for the small luxury hotel (SLH) designation. Let's hope behind the doors of this hotel under new management, the service and quality can equal the beauty of this property. It would be more fun and interests if behind the doors offer more into the history and intrique of each property, not to mention the juicy stuff that is going on today behind closed doors.

"Robert de Gast, author of the popular The Doors of San Miguel de Allende crosses the thresholds of homes in this historic Mexican town to discover their remarkable outdoor paradises--sunstruck, lushly colored courtyards, patios, and breezeways--that lay beyond them. Come with de Gast as he guides viewers to parts of San Miguel visitors seldom see and offers glimpses into the daily lives and traditions of those who live in this unique place.

"Established in the sixteenth century as a Franciscan mission, the lovely town of San Miguel de Allende has been an art and artisanal center for nearly two centuries. Its cool summers and mild winters have more recently made it a popular destination for vacationers from North America and Europe.

"A part-time resident of San Miguel since 1991, Robert de Gast is an award-winning photographer and a widely published writer. His avocations include hot-air ballooning, which he pursues in Mexico, and sailing, which he does for part of the year on the East Coast of the United States.

"96 pages, size: 6 1/4 x 8 1/4". 96 full-color photographs. Casebound book, with dust jacket. ISBN: 0-7649-1341-7."--© Pomegranate

I am a big fan of romantic places and quality books. It is very difficult to rate this publication objectively. If you are looking for great photographic images of Spanish gardens in Mexico as the title page would suggests, you are going to be very disappointed. Most photos are mediocre at best and feature gardens that are owned by mostly US expatriots living in San Miquel. The feel of Spanish ( or Mexican ) originality has been greatly corrupted by these property owners from the North. One would think Salvador Daly was contracted out to mess these places up.

Also, be aware that the book is very small, barely larger than a large size postcard. So how can anyone appreciate the images this size? Color rendering of some of the pictures likewise leaves a lot to be desired which is attributable to the printer.

In any case don't waste your money on this one....