British Embassies: Their Diplomatic and Architectural History

Description

British Embassies have a special role in our history. They represent our country in bricks and stone and have often expressed - at least in the eyes of foreigners - our national character. Whether they are Lutyens buildings in Washington, grand palaces in Europe, beautiful old colonial buildings in Asia, or secure compounds in the Middle East, they all have stories to tell and reveal the changing face of British diplomacy.British Embassies is a large format picture book with an authoritative text, by the author of Great Houses of London. The book will cover High Commissions, Government Houses, Residencies and Embassies in 26 countries to provide a wide survey of a subject hitherto unaddressed as a group. They will be a revelation. As well as providing a record of famous historic embassies such as that in Paris, there are a number of post war and contemporary Embassiesand Residencies which represent the constant adaptation of British diplomacy to new conditions. The book will offer a mixture of history, architectural description, diplomacy and anecdote, accompanied with specially commissioned photographs by Luke White. This is a unique and glamourous book about British Imperial and post-Imperial architecture. It is a lively and evocative read for anyone interested in the international projection of British power and culture, particularly in connection with the Empire.

James Stourton is the prize-winning author of five books including Great Houses of London and the authorised biography of Kenneth Clark; Life, Art and Civilization. He is a former Chairman of Sothebys UK, he sits on the Heritage Memorial Fund panel and the Acceptance in Lieu panel and is a senior fellow of the Institute of Historical Research, London University.Luke White's photographs have been widely published in interior design and architectural magazines including Architectural Digest, Vogue and Homes and Gardens. His books include Sally Storey's Lighting by Design and The Irish at Home by Jane and Sarah McDonnell.

'I have been to the more obvious ones - Washington, Moscow, Paris - but I had no idea of their variety and splendour until I opened James Stourton's new book British Embassies. It appears at just the right time.' -- Charles Moore * Spectator * 'Beautifully produced. Luke White has photographed the unpeopled rooms with a panache that makes us feel we are entering some with hushed awe. James Stourton has supplied a concise, yet fascinatingly detailed - at times gossipy - history.' -- Nicky Haslam * House & Garden * 'Few books cause a jaw to actually drop, but this is one of them. The sheer opulence depicted is breathtaking, as are the subtle and clever ways used to incorporate the personality of each host country whilst maintaining a core that is quintessentially British. There is much here to draw the reader in.' * The English Home * 'Wonderfully learned, gossipy and instructive...the historical research is formidable...witty, informative and endlessly fascinating.' * Literary Review * 'It is a beautiful - and heavy - book, with fine photographs by Luke White. But what distinguishes it is the skill and acuity with which James Stourton has written the commentary, making it a serious and engrossing work of history.' -- Christopher Meyer * Spectator *