Buckingham Palace: The Official Illustrated History

I already own the Official Guide. This book compliments it by showing watercolor paintings of how some of the most spectacular rooms looked once the original interior decorating was finished. Some don’t look the same now. Where the room photos are the same, this book’s are larger- some a full page (including many historical world-class paintings). I love being able to look at the details close up.There is enough difference between the two books to make each one valuable in its own right. Together, you feel like you have experienced more and enjoyed it more than even being on the tour.

This book has the complete rundown on Buckingham Palace, from even before its origins as the Duke of Buckingham’s house right up to the present day as Queen Elizabeth II’s official London residence. The book does cover alterations and additions to the building quite well, along with the role of the different personalities of the different sovereigns in the development of the building (some Kings and Queens wanted to go all out in fixing up and expanding the palace but some didn’t want to live there at all. Queen Victoria kind of wanted to do both: she added the very famous East wing with a balcony, which most people think of when they think of this building, and entertained there frequently, but after the death of her husband she almost completely abandoned the place). But the book mostly focuses on the interior decoration, furnishings, and artwork in the palace. There are pages and pages of descriptions of furniture, dishes, and stair railings with the background of their designers and dealers and it is a very well-illustrated book as well, so you can see all the beautiful art that the text refers to. But if you were hoping for more architecture or more gossip about the inhabitants, then you might be let down. All in all, it’s a wonderful book, if a bit staid.

I love everything that is about the British Royalty. This was great to add to my personal library. The book was in good condition.

I like the idea of being able to live in a palace but seeing photographs of the rooms in Buckingham Palace makes one wonder about the practical side of it. Visiting would be awe-inspiring and completely different from having to live in such splendour.

This book contains a lot of information on the background and history of this palace. There are a lot of illustrations, but not near enough pictures of the rooms, the incredible art and furniture, etc. that fill this wonderful building. More information on the current uses for the rooms, and pictures of those rooms, would greatly improve this book.

Excellent book...since visting London and not being able to 'enter' or be invited to the palace I was curious, This is a great read. And by the way the Queen was not 'in' the day we were touring....

This is a very good read about Buckingham Palace. It has a lot of good information about the history about the palace. I do wish that this book did contain more pictures of the interior of the Palace.

Beautiful photos and very educational.

I had expected a lot more pictures, plans and maps of the palace - showing the phases of the construction. But most of the pictures are of various antiquities kept at the palace. So not what I was looking for.

Terrific value. Not new but fine condition. Just what I wanted

Just great, very happy

Very prompt, excellent value

In peace of home we can explore BP and read about it whenever we feel like.