Customer Reviews

Hearst Castle: The Biography of a Country House

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Ever since the estate at San Simeon became the property of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, anyone can pay to see it and take the various tours through Hearst Castle. It's worth the trip down from San Francisco; if you can't make it, there is now _Hearst Castle: The Biography of a Country House_ by Victoria Kastner, with photographs by Victoria Garagliano. As befits its larger-than-life subject, this is a big book with gorgeous pictures, but the pictures are within a very helpful historic text, so even if you have seen the house, there is much to learn. There have been tourist picture books of the house before, but this is the first book to tell the house's full story. The story largely concerns the partnership between the architect Julia Morgan and her famous client. Miss Morgan is regarded as the first woman architect of any prominence in America. She and Hearst worked on the huge castle, adjacent guest houses, pools, and gardens over three decades. She had responsibilities even for his zoo animals, and he was essentially her patron. They were superbly able to work together, and to have obvious fun in accumulating and displaying the riches illustrated in this book. Morgan put up with Hearst's changeability, with every building turning out quite differently from how it was first planned. Given his impulsiveness and the span of time of construction, it is astonishing that the site has any architectural unity, but she managed to make it a real showplace.

The book also documents the entertainments held by Hearst's lover, Marion Davies, with whom he had a longstanding, loving, and happy affair. She was a perfect hostess at the Castle; guests and staff loved her. Hearst loved fun in his own way, but spent much of the time at the Castle managing his business affairs by phone, leaving Davies to show hospitality to all visitors. It was very unusual for their time, but they rejected socializing with the established money and society of the East coast, preferring to have Hearst's own business associates and movie stars as guests. Pictures in the book show Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and many others.

Much of _Hearst Castle_ is taken up with pictures to document the astonishingly rich gothic interiors. Unlike most castles, however, this one feels like a home. There are comfortable overstuffed chairs and sofas throughout, and a poker table jostles with Renaissance-style sculpture. It is clear that Hearst and Morgan had fun tearing down and building up, and collecting the artifacts that range from ancient bric-a-brac to priceless masterworks. _Hearst Castle_ is a lovely homage to a great American house.

This book gives an intimate look at one of "America's Castles" from inside and out. The history of the building site is covered, as is the design and construction of the buildings. The life and times of W.R. Hearst and his friends and loved ones are presented in such a way as to flesh out the character of the house.

I just finished reading this book, and I'm tempted to pick it up and start all over again. This is one that I'll reread often.

The layout of the book is interesting and eye-catching, but the tints used on the pages sometimes make the text difficult to read. Make sure you sit down with this book in a very well-lit room -- not only will light make it that much easier to read, you'll be able to enjoy the wonderful pictures more easily.

A first rate account of the building of "La Cuesta Encantada" with new information I have not found in other Hearst Castle books or by taking the castle tours many, many times since I was a little girl. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Can't wait to visit the castle again with this new knowledge.

This is one of the most photogenic estates and locations still standing. Therefore nothing less than the best photos will do. In a place like San Simeon one would expect the best artistry from the photographers. But here we get the ordinary. The photos are not near dramatic enough and the printing of the photos gives them a washed out and faded look. In addition the production quality of the book is not that great. I would expect a heavy coffee table style book with heavy paper and thick boards. This book has the appearence of a cost cutting effort. To see how to do this right look at 'Carolands' and 'Waddesdon Manor' and 'Newport Villas' and the recent Acanthus Press series on great estates. These are sumptuous volumes where great care has gone into the production. San Simeon deserves equal.

I bought the book after visiting Hearst Castle.

It's well worth buying for:

1. Visitors to the Castle, as a valuable aide memoir;
2. Anyone contemplating visiting the Castle. Before youu visit, it's difficult to comprehend its size and beauty!
3. Anyone interested in the story of Randolph Hearst and the Castle.

I enjoyed this book, and the details of his life relating to the building of this wonderful American treasure. I wish there had been more photos showing the details of the fine art and antiques collected from Europe early in this past century. Also it would have been worthwhile to show much more and better photos of the architectural elements of stone moulding, stucco detail, doors, tiles, ceilings, floor designs and iron work.

This book is a great combination of pictures and info. A picture book with beautiful photos and very informative stories on the Hearst Castle, Mr Hearst himself, and architect Julia Morgan. Replete with extensive footnotes and background facts.

I read it once before a recent visit to the Hearst castle, and I am going through it again to reminisce over the wonderful architecture and art treasures at this magical place, captured here in a wonderful book.

Hearst castle is just an amazing tribute to one man's enormous ego. I am glad that it is preserved as a set piece for Hearst, for that is what he intended all along. This book captures the signifigance of the estate, the images are well concieved, though not as crisp as expected, and the text is informative. This certainly is not the definitive book on Hearst Castle, but it is well worth the purchace none the less. If you have any interest in Hearst Castle, or gilded age extravagance in general, then i cant imagine you being disappointed in this book.

Having toured Hearst Castle, there is so much to see and remember that it is wonderful to have a detailed account of my time there. I looked at several books- the architect, Hearst life, and even the Castle. I found this one to have the most photos and more closely fit the information conveyed on the tours.

I do not know about you? But I do not notice things in front of my face unless someone points them out to me. When I go to museums I need to go twice once with someone to point things out and again for my own exploration. I used this book for the point out phase. It is more intricate than a biography film.

There are several color pictures (259 illustrations) that point out items of interest, many more with maps and history (157 plates in full color). There is an expansive preface, forward, introduction, and prologue. There are twelve chapters that carry you on a historical tour of the castle.

I am not going to go through the book, as that is why you are purchasing the book and not the review. However on a personal note after looking at the book I went to the castle. I stayed overnight on the San Simeon coast to complete the tours in two days. As with all pictures the pale compared the real thing. However you now can use the book for memories. I did bring a camera. However you are not allowed to use a flash. And I have to admit that Victoria Garagliano is a better photographer. I think the cover shows the most impressive part of the castle. The Roman pool is located inside and under the tennis court. Just like the picture it is cool quiet and reflective. I did want to jump in just for the fun of it.

Now I leave the book on the coffee table so some unsuspecting person (and they are rare) will ask me about it.

Hearst's San Simeon: The Gardens and the Land