The Rebirth of an English Country House: St. Giles House

Firstly, Justin Barton's photography is stunning -- a body of work that beautifully documents the astonishing rescue of an important English Country House. And then there is Nick Ashley Cooper's excellent story of his personal journey -- suddenly inheriting his title of Earl of Shaftesbury under horribly tragic circumstances, along with a large ruinous house and estate all in tatters, and then his gradually coming to terms over a period of years with the task of turning everything around -- successfully saving his ancient family seat in Dorset and in the process recovering something of the reputation of his once great aristocratic family.. His story is thoroughly honest and engaging. The story of the research and the craftsmanship involved in the conservation of such an important house and landscape is inspirational to read about. The sort of transformation documented in this book is unprecedented in England.. Well worth the purchase -- I shall treasure it.

This book is extremely well written and, with a passion, after all it’s been an enormous and daunting project to save this family home.

Excellent photos and text

Excellent. Written with real feeling and intelligence. Objective architectural history combined with great personal knowledge. We are enjoying a bonanza of single-house histories at the moment, but only Houghton is equal to this one.

Love this book fantastic illustrated book.

I am halfway through reading this because its not about the photos, which are great but its the story of this family and their home coming to life amidst real drama ! what a good read.

Amazing!... just arrived and I cannot put it down already.... literally one of the best visual biographies of a country house. On a par with Chatsworth by D. of Devonshire, Belvoir Castle by D. Of Rutland and Alnwick Castle by D. Of Northumberland I wish more owners would write / publish books such a these.

Should be a fascinating insight into an important yet little known country house. However the book is utterly deficient in lacking even a rudimentary ground plan of the building (the series of sketches of the development of the house through the centuries towards the back if the book just doesn't suffice.) One is therefore left with a series of random descriptions of rooms and what has been done to them without any 'framework' in which to set them. Disappointing.

Die faszinierende Geschichte um das mühselige, jahrelange, gegen viele HIndernisse ankämpfen müssende Projekt der Renovierung und Revitalisierung eines wunderbaren Countryhouses in England. Der junge Earl, der das Haus gerbt hat, setzt sich mit großser Energie für dieses Projekt ein und hat schließlich mit der Fertigstellung der horrend teuren, dafür sehr behutsamen und sachkundigen Restaurierung, einen großen Erfolg zu verzeichnen. Sympathisch geschrieben und beim Lesen und Schmökern lernt man viel über Architektur, das englische Denkmalschutzgesetz, die diversen Genehmigungsprozesse und die dazu notwendigen vielen mühsamen Amtswege. Ohne erfahrene und gut vernetzte Helfer, wäre dieses Projekt wohl nicht zu einem positiven Ende gekommen.

A truly wonderful book! I highly recommend it.

This is a sumptuous book. It contains beautiful photographs but most importantly tells the story of a fascinating family, from early generations and how the current Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury brought about an incredible restoration of St Giles House. I admire their determination. This is a beautiful book.

L'auteur, qui à l'âge de 26 ans a hérité du château et du titre de ses nobles ancêtres, un château laissé à l'abandon pendant cinquante ans, nous raconte comment il s'est audacieusement lancé dans l'aventure d'une restauration de la bâtisse, a laissé mûrir ses projets pour mieux les adapter à un mode de vie contemporain et aux exigences économiques qu'impose l'entretien d'une vaste demeure et d'un parc conséquent. Son regard est lucide et respectueux et sa vision des choses oscille entre une fidèle remise en état, une modernité artistique marquée d'originalité qui peut aller jusqu'à intégrer la période de délabrement dont attestent les photos parfois saisissantes prises lors de son retour et un aménagement pragmatique. Aujourd'hui, des espaces non dénués de lustre s'ouvrent à des banquets de mariage ou des séminaires rémunérateurs. D'intéressantes photos illustrent la progression des travaux. Les archives sélectionnées donnent de l'épaisseur au passé familial et les modélisations appréciées témoignent des transformations successives. Une belle réussite.

Lovers of history and/or English country houses and/or "before and after" renovations will be fascinated by this book. It tells the story of how the 12th Earl of Shaftsbury was able to save his family seat, St. Giles, at the 11th hour....and pretty much by the skin of his teeth. The sad history of both the house and family over the last 60 years is told, complete with many dozens of pictures, and it is fascinating reading. The 12th Earl (whose father, the 10th Earl, and brother, the 11th Earl, died within 6 months of each other) was a DJ in New York City at the time he became the 12th Earl. He had the choice of walking away from the derelict, uninhabitable St. Giles or staying and trying to resurrect it. He stayed. The book describes the struggles he went through to rebuild the house and grounds. The photographs in the book are glorious....huge and sweeping of the gardens, up close and personal in the house. They augment the story in a way that makes you realize the huge scope of work involved in this restoration. It was overwhelming. I highly recommend this book.