Very Charleston: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Lowcountry Charm [Hardcover]

Diana Hollingsworth Gessler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 2003

Cobblestone streets leading to perfectly preserved historic homes. Intricate wrought-iron gates opening to lush, fragrant gardens. A skyline of steeples and a river harbor bustling with schooners and sailboats. Charleston is one of America's most charming cities.

In vibrant watercolors and detailed sketches, artist Diana Gessler captures the beauty and riches that make Charleston so unique: White Point Gardens, the Spoleto Festival, Rainbow Row, Waterfront Park, Fort Moultrie, the beaches of Sullivan's Island, sumptuous Lowcountry cuisine, and handmade sweetgrass baskets. Full of fascinating details--on everything from the art of early entertaining, the city's inspired architectural and garden designs, and George Washington's Southern tour to famous Charlestonians and the flags of Sumter--Very Charleston celebrates the city, the Lowcountry, the people, and our history. Hand-lettered and full color throughout, Very Charleston includes maps, an index, and a handy appendix of sites.

With her cheerful illustrations and love for discovering little-known facts, Diana Gessler has created both an entertaining guide and an irresistible keepsake for visitors and Charlestonians alike.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Diana Hollingsworth Gessler is the author and illustrator of Very New Orleans, Very Charleston, and Very California. Her watercolors and oil paintings are represented by Shaw Gallery in Naples and Bonita Springs, Florida. She and her husband live in Melbourne, Florida, when they’re not traveling.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Algonquin Books; 1 edition (March 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565123395
• ISBN-13: 978-1565123397
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Travel > United States > States > South Carolina

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charleston Lite, January 28, 2004

By 

Cynthia K. Robertson (beverly, new jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Very Charleston: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Lowcountry Charm (Hardcover)

Charleston is one of the most charming cities in the US, and it is fitting that Diana Hollingsworth Gessler has written a delightfully charming book about the Holy City. "Very Charleston" is a small book, but big on snippets of Charleston. It is also wonderfully illustrated by Gessler with watercolors. This 159 page book is packed with a myriad of entertaining tidbits. It includes historical facts, famous festivals, Charleston vocabulary, places of interest, interesting characters (past and present), famous restaurants, some traditional recipes and LOTS of trivia. It also touches on such diverse topics as The Civil War, The Citadel, Slavery, making indigo, architectural details and places to shop.

Very Charleston is the perfect book for a new visitor to Charleston. There are a few minor inaccuracies (for example, there are more than 3 zones for carriage tours). But these do not detract from the book. However, a visitor seeking a more in-depth look at the Holy City would be better served by more serious reading. Still, Very Charleston is a very enjoyable and interesting introduction to this beautiful and historic city.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL BOOK!!!!, July 8, 2005

By 

MOM2HKH "MOM2HKH" (Hershey, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Very Charleston: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Lowcountry Charm (Hardcover)

My mother-in-law gave us this book before our move to Charleston, SC. My own family came to visit and while driving around downtown with the book it felt like a tour of our very own. The next day we did in fact go on a real Charleston tour and they restated many of the interesting facts of Charleston found within the book! The book is not only a wealth of information, but also a beautifully illustrated book!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! :) I recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about Charleston!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Charleston, August 8, 2005

By 

Roy Mclain - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Very Charleston: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Lowcountry Charm (Hardcover)

Very interesting little book with great illustrations. Gives insight to many of the things we South Carolians have always heard about Charleston like the derivation of Charleston Green paint, why the pineapple is a welcome sign, etc., etc.