The Main Line: Country Houses 1870-1930 [Hardcover]

William Alan Morrison (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 092649421X | ISBN-13: 978-0926494213 | Publication Date: April 15, 2004

This volume chronicles the magnificent country estates and remarkable individuals who made this legendary but intensely private suburban enclave the most beautiful and desirable residential section in Americ

Editorial Reviews

Review

As sumptuous as the spectacular residences it presents, The Main Line is a fascinating architectural and social journey that sheds new light on a little-known period in American history --Pennsylvania Heritage

About the Author

William Morrison was raised in the Main Line suburb of Radnor. A writer, researcher, and lecturer, Morrison has written for the Shubert Organization, the Theatre Historical Society, and The American National Biography. He is the author of Broadway Theatres; History & Architecture, of articles on Oscar Hammerstein, architects Herts & Tallant and Phillip Shutze, and of several plays and song lyrics. He is a contributor to The Shubert Present: 100 Years of American Theater.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Acanthus Press (April 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 092649421X
• ISBN-13: 978-0926494213
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #262,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could have and should have been better, January 10, 2005

By 

Shannon Deason (Houston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Main Line: Country Houses 1870-1930 (Hardcover)

I had been waiting for a book on this subject for some time so you can imagine my excitement when this book came out. I am sorry to say that it's somewhat of a disappointment, I expected a better researched book and also one that including some current color pictures of the surviving estates. The authors of the book on architects Delano and Aldrich did a wonderful job of combining great archival B&W photos with rich currect color pictures. The archival photos in this book are wonderful, but you finish the book wondering what the surviving estates look like today and in color, I really do hope the authors take this criticism to heart and make vol. II a five star book, they are not that far from it with this book and quite frankly the subject deserves it.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar launch to a great series., December 26, 2004

By 

A serious book buyer "architecture buff" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Main Line: Country Houses 1870-1930 (Hardcover)

I bought this book two years ago when it came out and I had to reply to the simple comments of another critic on this page. The author put together an incredible group of old photographs from around the time the houses were built, showing exteriors, interiors, and gardens. He talked about the architects and the clients and about the designs of the houses, as well as giving a detailed history of the Main Line and how it came to be. Color photographs would have ruined the old-time feel of the book, which is beautiful in design and execution. Any educated eye will appreciate this book and the series that it is a part of. Congratulations to the author and the publisher.