Yale University Press The Country House Library

I dismissed the critical reviews of this book, thinking them petty and too concerned with pretty pictures. However upon reading the book from cover to cover I can understand their points (only a fraction of the libraries mentioned are shown, a lot using small archive/ stock photos in black and white). Funnily enough Tatton library is mentioned many times throughout the book, but not one single image is ever shown (it's a good thing I still have the guidebook from when I visited the place).Other images include title pages of random books, building plans of mansions, exteriors of buildings and portraits of nobles, rather than actual library rooms. It would be accurate to say that 80% of the information consists of biographies of rich gentlemen who owned libraries - endless lists of dates and names of Charles, Henrys and Richards, Earls, Dukes and Marquis so and so, their lives and other mind numbingly irrelevant details such as taxes, family disputes, sales of books and or libraries and how much the cost.I'm sure someone considers this inane minutiae fascinating, perhaps a handful of niche scholars, but the vast majority of the curious public is probably like myself; more interested in how a library is put together, the furniture and design, how it was used, who read, what kinds of books they read back in the day, for what purpose, their thoughts and feelings while relaxing there. These nuggets of information can be found scattered throughout the book, the only problem is having to wade through a thick sea of stale text and occasional hints of snobbery from the author in order to get to the interesting tidbits.In contrast to the other glowing reviews and choice selection of the illustrated pages, I have also included pictures of less interesting ones for the prospective buyer to make an informed decision. I would personally describe this as a model library book for a bookish layman. Worth perusing for short term interest, but is overly padded and too academic to necessarily keep in the house.

It can be used either as reference or as an interesting read. Excellent details of how country libraries were developed and owned with details of the houses where they are sited.

Wonderful photos and design inspiration, probably more suited to top-end budgets unless you know a very reasonable and skilled carpenter/joiner. A pleasure to read.

Very disappointed in the book!The subject matter is well researched but the illustrations are dreadful!I don't know if it's anything to do with the reproduction but they are far too dark and uninspiring!I see far better illustrations of libraries in stately home and larger houses on Pinterest!I would have returned the book but I'd recycled the packaging

Wonderful book. Eminently readable and beautifully produced.