Customer Reviews

Marvelous Old Mansions: And Other Southern Treasures

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

 

 

I bought this book thinking it would be more of a coffee table book, fully of glossy pages of photos. It is not that. It is a book that is useful if you plan to visit the South, as it gives detail into addresses, times and admission prices of old plantations. The pages are not glossy, nor in colour. More like an oversized novel.

This is a terrific collection of southern homes.

I work as both a travel agent and a travel writer with a specialty in southern destinations. Specifically I do southern historical destinations, which always leads to touring old homes. I have a collection of books on mansions and estates but this book is one of my most used.

Sylvia does a great job of giving the background of the home as well as current information. Maybe because Ms. Higginbotham is also a fellow southern belle, she does a much better job of covering homes than most other publications. Most other books give NC one listing (the Biltmore Estate) or if were really lucky two (Tryon Place). Sylvia highlights 17 and includes Old Salem which is a historical Moravian village in Winston-Salem.

I constantly use this book as a reference for my work. It perfect for those who want to travel and see these treasures first hand, or for those who simply want to be arm chair travelers.

I love old houses and history and bought two copies of this book for my brother-in-law and myself. By no means a complete directory of still-standing Southern mansions, the book includes pictures and informative descriptions of mostly pre-Civil War homes with historical significance. The book will serve as my guide for planning vacations to see these old homes and their amazing architecture.

If you are into old homes in the areas this covers then this book is worth the money. I found several facts and treasure I didn't know about.

This is not a picture book! Buy for the historical content or you'll be diapointed. I love it....

Very interesting book with lots of old homes located, many of which I had never heard. This book would be great to use while traveling around the various states included in the book. Definitely a great source for those of us who love old houses and southern history.