National Geographic Guide to Americas Great Houses [Paperback]

Henry Wiencek (Author)

Book Description

Series: National Geographic Guide to America's Great Houses | Publication Date: March 1, 1999

This full colour guidebook to 200 mansions and estates located throughout the 50 states offers stories of past owners, furnishing, renovations, and room by room descriptions of each house. It is arranged by state for easy reference.'

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792274245
• ISBN-13: 978-0792274247
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #250,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that I've really used, December 27, 2002

By 

Jackie M. Bachenberg "theoriginaljfmmb" (Canton, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: National Geographic Guide to Americas Great Houses (Paperback)

I have owned this book for a few years now and have loved it.

It lists over 150 of America's greatest homes that are open to the public. It is organized by region of the U.S. For each region, it list the homes by state and supplies a map of the region, marking where each of the houses are. For each house, a one to two page description is given along with in many cases a color photograph on the property. It also lists, the property's address, phone, opening hours, and what facilities are available at the property such as restaurant, gift shop, guided tour, etc. It even lists the site's website so that you can get up to date information regarding opening times and admission fees.

Admittedly, it does not list every home in a area that is historic and open to the public, but it does list a very good starting point. Enough to point you to a place that you would like to visit if you are a architecture or old classic home buff. Once there, you can explore on your own and find the less publicized gems that appeal to you.

I have really used this book. I have planned and completed trips to New Port, Charleston, and the James River area. I am actively planning a trip to the Hudson River Valley because of this book and can't wait to return to New Orleans and Washington DC with this book in hand.

My star ratings:

One star - couldn't finish the book
Two stars - read the book, but did a lot of skipping or scanning. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection or search out other books by the author
Three stars - enjoyable read. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection. Would judge other books by the author individually.
Four stars - Liked the book. Would keep the book or would look for others by the same author.
Five start - One of my all time favorites. Will get a copy in hardback to keep and will actively search out others by the same author.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, January 27, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: National Geographic Guide to Americas Great Houses (Paperback)

I am 10 years old and I got this book as a present from my parents. I am a big huge fan of old things and this was the perfect book for me. If you like historical things like huge houses and fancy dresses this is the book to get. It lists a ton of houses - over 150!! So far we have gone to the biltmore estate (INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!) and plan on going to the hearst castle and others. I highly recommend this book for great family trips. It also notes important things like websites, phone numbers,gift shops, etc. I love this book!

16 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This would be better regionalized, September 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: National Geographic Guide to Americas Great Houses (Paperback)

This is a nice starting point, but very sparse in the way of really giving you an idea of what's worth seeing. Case in point: Louisiana. Oak Alley, an elegant tourist trap, is given play, but why not Laura, which gives a much better, less dumbed-down idea of how people lived at that time. This would be much better if it was divided into regions. Many more historic homes and other unique residences could be highlighted in this way.