Amazon.com: Chequers: The Prime Minister's Country House and Its History (9780789203199): Norma Major: Books

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Chequers: The Prime Minister's Country House and Its History
 
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Chequers: The Prime Minister's Country House and Its History [Hardcover]

Norma Major (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)


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Book Description

February 1997
Dating from the 16th century, Chequers is one of Britain's most familiar yet least known country houses. As the country residence of the Prime Minister, it is not open to the public, and until now few photographs of it have been published. In this enlightening, well-researched history of the estate, Norma Major, wife of the current Prime Minister, opens the door to Chequers and takes us on a guided tour of one of Britain's most interesting national treasures.

Thanks to her unprecedented access to photographs and documents that have not been available to the public, Mrs. Major not only shows us the house and its spectacular collection of paintings and furnishings but also introduces us to many of its colorful former inhabitants, including Lady Mary Grey, who was imprisoned there, and Sir Winston Churchill, who made many of his stirring wartime speeches from Chequers. The author has also had the opportunity to talk to past prime ministers and their families about how they used the house and the changes they made during their occupancy.

Mark Fiennes's specially commissioned photographs reveal the interiors as they now look and provide intriguing comparisons with early photographs from the Chequers archives. With its combination of historical anecdotes and architectural research, this book is the perfect gift for Anglophiles, history buffs, and those interested in architecture and the decorative arts.


Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A new book by the wife of Britain's current prime minister allows Anglophiles the unique opportunity to vicariously peer into ornate parlors, stroll through rose gardens, and survey the art collection of Chequers, the splendid country estate where prime ministers have spent time relaxing when not conducting government business or entertaining foreign heads of state. In addition to providing readers with glimpses of fine antiques and magnificent interiors, Major provides history buffs with an expansive accounting of the house itself, detailing numerous events and experiences that add color to the overall story of its occupation by renowned political figures. Period and modern photographs add substantially to a commendable effort that invites readers to visit a thus-far private residence steeped in history. Alice Joyce

Review

[A]n intriguing look behind the scenes. -- Christian Science Monitor, 11/20/97

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Cross River Press; 1st edition (February 1997)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0789203197
  • ISBN-13: 978-0789203199
  • Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.9 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.5 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,626,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Guidebook, June 15, 2011
This review is from: Chequers (Hardcover)
This well illustrated, well researched book tells you most everything you might want to know about Chequers. (Did you know the place was donated to the British Government by an American woman?) The author first goes through the history of the place, stretching back many centuries, then takes you on a tour of the major rooms and their unique furnishings, then tells you some very entertaining tales about each of the prime ministers who've resided there, as well as their VIP guests. She has amusing stories about everyone from Kitchener to Bill Clinton (I especially liked her story about Harold Macmillan and Anthony Trollope). Norma Major, as the wife of a former prime minister herself, was ideally qualified to write this fine book and she's done an outstanding job. Any Anglophile will enjoy it.
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