Im really happy with this book for personal interest. But I had shown picture to my students-40~50age old wemen do flower art-, then they toke a deep sigh. This book is really good for everyone who interest in flowers, trees, art and design.

what a gloriously handsome book. the book shares its name with an eponymous show during the summer of 1997. i was in charleston and able to see this great, spread out exhibit. i was unsure how the book could capture the beauty of this show and was very surprised to see that the book enhanced my memories of the show. this book will make a great addition to the library or coffee table of anyone interested in contemporary art of the world. curator and author beardsley selected a diverse group of artists from all parts of the globe, and includes ironwork, site specific installations, video, and beautiful sculpture and painting. i was fortunate to have seen this exhibit, but if you missed this fabulous exhibit, get your hands on this book. i have bought several copies of this book and given them as gifts to family and friends.

I recently visited Charleston and took the Civil War Walk with Mr. Phelps' company. During the tour the guide, Charles Hunt, enlightened me that Charleston had been severely bombarded throughout the war. I have studied the war extensively yet never knew of the bombardment of Charleston. After the tour I purchased this book and it was a fascinating read, detailing every aspect of this little known event. If you are going to visit Charleston you should read this book and augment the volume by taking the tour as well!

This book is written by an author who is well-versed in Charleston history, yet it is written from a down-to-earth point of view. It is an excellent resource on a subject that has never really been expounded previously. Most people know Charleston only because of Fort Sumter, but this book takes you deep into the Civil War giving one a sense of what really happened in this city during the War. This is an easy-to-read historical account of the Union army's attempt to break a city. Great read for any history buff!

I am a native Charlstonian and have known Jack Thomson for more years than I can remember and have always been amazed by his knowledge of Charleston and the Civil War. When he gives his Civil War walks thorough Charleston he takes along some of the many photos he has in his collection to show what the areas looked like during and after the Civil War. He has literally hundreds of photos in his collection from the National Archives, Library of Congress and other sources that he sorted through for use in this book. I actually helped in shooting and shot many of the "today" photos and it is amazing how little some areas have changed since the "before" photos were taken in the 1800's.This book is a gold mine of information for anyone wanting to learn more about Charleston's past, not only from the prospective of someone interested in the Civil War but also for the buldings and historical landmarks than still exist to day over 100 years after the photographers shot the "before" photos.

In Charleston, veteran professional tour guide Jack Thomson has long been known for his encyclopedic knowledge of the city during the gruesome chaos which was the Civil War. In this stunning new book of before-and-after pictures, he reveals his other area of expertise: that of the consummate photographic historian. His vast knowledge of the Civil War photographer's craft led me to seek out his expertise when trying to date the many photographs in my recent Civil war book, "MARY'S WORLD: Love, War, and Family Ties in Nineteenth-century Charleston." Because of the thousands of images Thomson has studied (not to mention his extensive knowledge of Confederate military uniforms), he was not only able to accurately date most of my photographs, but was even able to tell me in which photographer's studio several were taken. Beyond that, the advanced techniques he perfected to date old photographs by the size and angle of the sun's shadows was nothing less than amazing. "Charleston At War: The Photographic Record, 1860-1865," sets the high-water mark for photographic studies of Civil War Charleston. It will be a priceless addition to any photographic, Charleston, or Civil War reference collection.

I am sorry, but I never read the book, but I purchased it as a gift for friend. However I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Simmons on a tour of Charleston, South Carolina in 1998. He is an incredibly lively person who is full of humor and has countless stories to share. I remember one in particular, when he spoke of his years as a boy when there were only horse & carriages for transportation. Then he said the age of the automobile came to be and folks would stop whatever they were doing to watch in awe as the automobile went by. Then he chuckled quietly as he descibed the same behavior today when a horse & carriage goes clamoring through town. There are no words to describe the artistic craftmanship of Mr. Simmons iron works, you simply have to see for yourself. As for Mr. Simmons, he is a proud yet humble man about his craft, his works and his life, you should meet him for yourself.

a stirring and engaging account of a man whose life spans almost the whole century, who grew up in a fascinating environment, regularly crossing between worlds while he served an apprenticeship, and went on to cross between other worlds, a folk artist who is regarded by the art world as a peerless sculptor, whose work is exhibited in museums. THis is a great study by a preeminent folklorist that will interest anyone.

I have lived here for 9 years and this is the first map that does this wonderful city justice (besides the historical maps!). While it does not look like the 'old Charleston' maps of the Civil War, it has everything any tourist, resident, or map enthusiast must have. If your visiting Charleston, bring it along as a up-to-date guide to the city. If your a resident, this is actually a contemporary map that is perfect for a wall in your office or home. If your a map enthusiest, take notes on what Morris and Bailey have done to put the Holy City on the map!

Having grown up in Charleston, I looked at this map first to find the details of the places I knew best. It was almost shocking to find the dormer window of my old bedroom in the upstairs half of the house we rented on South Battery St. Details like this make this map amazing, and the map is filled with them. Hidden gardens, oddly shaped roofs, tiny carriage houses are all revealed in stunning detail. For anyone who loves Charleston, this map is a work that reveals her beauty through the details. For anyone just getting to know the city, it will give you insight to hidden treasures that even locals would normally miss. The overall presentation of the map is first rate. Even the package (a clever heavy paper sleeve that opens like a book) is thoughtfully designed and beautifully executed. I strongly recommend this map to anyone who is visiting Charleston, or to anyone who lives there and loves the city.

After having read this book, it was the perfect introduction the Southern Architecture and Decorative arts prior to actually seeing Charleston face-to-face. Mr. Savage gave lecturers on this very topic in my classes as well as site, which had been complimented by his book. It is artfully written and with care describes the details often ignored by many travel writers, art historians and even restorers! One almost feels as if they can hear the author reading it aloud. Bravo.

This really is a beautiful book, especially for someone who's not familiar with Charleston. Most of the photographs are wonderful, with a lot of detail not seen in other books about Charleston. I'm probably spoiled, but I could have used about 40 more pages...but when you're talking about Charleston, a 5000 page book wouldn't be enough. Really a wonderful book to add to any Charleston collection.

I agree with the previous reader, this is it ... the definitive book on Charleston Farmhouse. Although I think this book is more than a glimpse of the house and garden for those unable to visit, it is a surperb reference for those of us that have visited and wish to recall the house, etc. The photography is stunning, the text is informative. A worthwhile addition to any Bloomsbury book collection.

i stumbled across this book on a beautiful indian summer sunday afternoon....it is a treasure for those unable to physically saunter through the rooms and out to the walled garden that is charleston. all photos in colour, all rooms as they were when vanessa bell, duncan grant, family and friends lived and worked there. inspirational.

The diary of a single, young Southern Belle who gives us glimpses of her life from before the Civil War, to when the fighting comes close to home and when they have to flee to the West. You experience her emotions and innermost thoughts.

Often overlooked, diaries are the primary source of women's history during the Civil War. Here this elite South Carolina woman documents her life, not for prosperity, but as the custom of her day, via her private diary. Poignant and enjoyable to read, Emma carries through this time of war with the true dignity of Southern womanhood. Excellent social history of the daily life of a Southern woman. Thank you for bringing this wonderful diary to light. Joy Melcher, Civil War Lady Magazine

I'm from Charleston and I've been hearing about this book for months now. I finally bought it. Unfortunately, I had to call in sick to work because I just could not put it down until it was finished. Sequel? Hurry up Terry Tucker and get busy.

Review by Earl Wilcox : What if I tell you I have just read a novel that has a Charleston setting, described as flawlessly and poetically as Conroy writes, would you want to read it? What about a novel with plenty of intrigue, suspense, and characterizations that make you just want to get in the car and head for Charleston again? Maybe enough intrigue to rival Savannah's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil? On these two counts and others Terry Ward Tucker is right in the picture with Conroy, Humphries, and Berendt. Tucker's prose is at its best in two ways: her flawess descriptive passages and her compelling dialogue. In fact, Elegant Sinners is rich but not excessive in portraying Charleston itself as a character. While the hypnotic and sensual atmosphere of Charleston makes one want to linger, it is the suspense-driven plot which urges the reader on. Though this is Tucker's first novel, she has a voice and forceful quality that verify this as a work from an accomplished and serious writer.

I borrowed this book from a friend and after trying a variety of the recipies I knew I had to have it. They were easy to follow relatively quick to make and were raved about by the family. Problem was I had to return the book and did not think I could still get it. Thank you Amazon.com! Pick up the book and be sure to try the Fruit Cobbler (fantastic) and Husbands Delight. Neither recipe is low fat but worth EVERY calorie.

All of the seafood recipes are great. The desserts are sinful. All recipes are easy to read and ingredients are easy to find. Try the Poppy Seed Chicken. This book is not out of print, Bishop England High School is currently printing their 5th edition. They also have Gracious Goodness Christmas which will be featured in a national magazine in October. Their phone number is (843)849-9599.