30 review for Hearst Castle: The Biography of a Country House

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Maura – Nov 08, 2019

   Very similar to the other Hearst Castle book by Aidala. Lots of color photography. The photos are beautifully done, well-lit and nicely composed to show rooms at their best, with sunlight and blue sky visible through the windows. (Better than being there almost - when you tour the building some of the rooms are dim with shades drawn to protect interiors from the sun). There's quite a bit of detail about his life, including an entire section on Marion Davies. The last two sections of the book cove Very similar to the other Hearst Castle book by Aidala. Lots of color photography. The photos are beautifully done, well-lit and nicely composed to show rooms at their best, with sunlight and blue sky visible through the windows. (Better than being there almost - when you tour the building some of the rooms are dim with shades drawn to protect interiors from the sun). There's quite a bit of detail about his life, including an entire section on Marion Davies. The last two sections of the book cover his financial failure and its effect on the estate, and the turnover of the place to the state of California for use as a park / historic site. There's an extensive index and bibliography as well, along with the footnotes - some of which have some additional information so it's worthwhile to skim them.

2. 

   5 out of 5

   Carolyn C. – Oct 24, 2017

   Beautiful photos. Not really interested in the text. Just wanted to recreate the feeling of visiting.

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Nancy – Jan 29, 2013

   George Plimpton's Foreword puts things into perspective. Apparently, there was a down side to being invited to the Castle. Chimneys that belched smoked, windows leaking, and misbehaving menagerie. Perhaps the worst was allowing only one cocktail before dinner which had to last until dinner was served 3 hours later. Minor inconveniences when one views the photos inside this book of this glorious estate and it is accompanied with an insightful text. The Proust questionnaire that asks "Who are your George Plimpton's Foreword puts things into perspective. Apparently, there was a down side to being invited to the Castle. Chimneys that belched smoked, windows leaking, and misbehaving menagerie. Perhaps the worst was allowing only one cocktail before dinner which had to last until dinner was served 3 hours later. Minor inconveniences when one views the photos inside this book of this glorious estate and it is accompanied with an insightful text. The Proust questionnaire that asks "Who are your favorite characters in history?" - well, many of them were guests here.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Suzi – Jan 26, 2017

   Love the long dining table story. New guests were seated beside Hearst or Marian, who sat facing each other in the middle of a long pier table. When newer guests arrived, the new guests took their places beside Hearst and his girl/lady friend and older guests were moved further down the table. When you were at the end of the table you know it was time to leave.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Catherine Mustread – Jun 18, 2015

   In preparation and following a tour of Hearst Castle, I enjoyed looking at the illustrations and reading the parts I found most interesting. Great accompaniment to the Castle Tour. Especially enjoyed reading about the architect, Julia Morgan, her amazing abilities, and her relationship with Hearst.

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Julie – Oct 15, 2009

   While this was a "coffee table" book with a lot of gorgeous pictures, I also thought the author did a good job with the accompanying text. She included a lot of details about both the house and Hearst's life. While this was a "coffee table" book with a lot of gorgeous pictures, I also thought the author did a good job with the accompanying text. She included a lot of details about both the house and Hearst's life.

7. 

   5 out of 5

   Mylittlechickadee1965 – May 15, 2014

   Best book ever I even visited it ps very beautiful !

8. 

   5 out of 5

   Xinran Lu –

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Crystal Petlak –

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Michele –

11. 

    4 out of 5

    James Shonkwiler –

12. 

    5 out of 5

    C!NDY L00 –

13. 

    4 out of 5

    Jordan Mason –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Rachel –

15. 

    5 out of 5

    Gord –

16. 

    5 out of 5

    Peter –

17. 

    4 out of 5

    Gary McAvoy –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    Penny L Wallace –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Eileen Hurley –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    楚 –

21. 

    5 out of 5

    Susan –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    Lyn Mistry –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    Beth –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Michael –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    Kristin –

26. 

    4 out of 5

    Lara –

27. 

    4 out of 5

    E. Russell –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Kev –

29. 

    5 out of 5

    Jonae –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    Tim Otero –