The 1950s and 1960s were a period of steady decline for the British stately country home; historian Adrian Tinniswood situates the country house is not only an iconic symbol, but a lens through which to understand the shifting fortunes of the British elite.
Devoted fans of Downton Abbey will appreciate that Tinniswood’s history takes the fate of these country houses past the series’ conclusion in the 1920s.
Illuminating ... Tinniswood draws memorable character sketches of financially troubled, prim-mannered peers ... Vividly evoking the glamour and ruin of postimperial England, this winning survey is well-stocked with intriguing historical tidbits.
