Newly elected president George Washington set out to visit the new nation aware that he was the singular unifying figure in America. The journey�s finale was the Southern Tour; begun in March 1791. The long and arduous trek from the capital; Philadelphia; passed through seven states and the future Washington; D.C. But the focus was on Virginia; the Carolinas and Georgia. The president kept a rigorous schedule; enduring rugged roads and hazardous water crossings. His highly anticipated arrival in each destination was a community celebration with countless teas; parades; dinners and dances. Author Warren Bingham reveals the history and lore of the most beloved American president and his survey of the newly formed southern United States.
#1665551 in eBooks 2016-01-21 2016-01-21File Name: B01AWUBJ48
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. In Xanadu Once Did Kubla Khan....By Owl"In Xanadu once did Kubla KhanA stately pleasure dome decreeWhere Alph; the sacred river ranDown caverns measureless to man...."Coleridge did not; as far as I know; see the Alhambra; this amazing city on top of a cliff above the rivers in lovely Granada. And as it was in his time; writes historian Robert Irwin in "The Alhambra;" a mighty imagination would have been needed to see a pleasure dome in the ruins. Yet it is Coleridge whose poem may sing to those wandering in the gardens of the now-restored palace. Irwins fine; scholarly study of the Alhambra lacks such wings of imagination; yet gives much depth for readers fascinated by the Alhambra the palace of the Nasrids.The book is mostly about the palace; the complex of buildings which include the Lion Fountain; the Court of the Ambassadors; and interwoven; green treasures of water gardens. The Alhambra is itself much larger; a city only partly restored; covering the mountain top with fortresses;prisons; baths; chapels; residences; shops; two hotels; and the splendid garden called Generalife. To many however; "Alhambra" means the Nasrid Palace so the title is not misleading.The book begins; as a good travel book should; with an excellent schematic laying out the palace from the entrance (today) at the First Court; through the Court of Machuca; the Court of the Myrtles; to the Gardens and Hall of the Kings; 22 major areas. The four chapters tell the architectural history of this palace; not only who built; who tore down; who replaced; who restored the place; almost wall by wall; but also the political social history of each of the changes.It is a story as intricate as the beautiful calligraphy and tilework adorning almost every inch of space; but often sadder and darker. Irwins theme is clear:" Though the Alhambra is easy to enjoy; it is difficult to understand. The more closely one studies the functions and iconography of its various parts and tries to establish how the place was inhabited; the more mysterious the buildings and their inhabitants seem. There are limits to what the historian and archeologist can retrieve."Undaunted; Irwin plunges into history and archeology; vigorously whacking away at currently unproven but popular assertions; diving into the tile designs what they tell us of construction sequences; and giving the detailed architectural geneology of each major space. The style is scholarly; the text rather a wall-of-words with here and there black white photos drawings; with enough information to nourish even a quite hungry reader. The book physically is small light enough to carry.Reader Alert: The gardens of the Alhambra; admittedly mostly reconstructred as to plantings; are part of its glory were probably integral to the palace itself. They are mentioned only briefly; and little is said about the views from the many windows arcades that are integral to the experience of this magnificent place. This would not be the best book for readers interested in the gardens internal or external to the Palace of the Nasrids.Also; this is in no way Brys*n sees the Alhambra. Irwin has a thoughtful rather than a spritely pen. Washington Irvings classic book on the Alhambra would be a good companion here; even after more than a 100 years. Irwins "The Alhambra" is a wonderful book on its own terms but it is not all things to all readers.Recommended highly to read before; during; and particularly after immersion in the Alhambra itself or for those interested in the history architectural treasures of the Moors in Spain.PS Really really really if possible; as Irwin and most guidebooks emphasize; reserve tickets well in advance for the earliest entry to the Palace!12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. THE guide to the Alhambra.By Steve RVisiting the Alhambra is a once in a lifetime; must do event. See it first from the plaza adjacent to the little church of St. Nicholas across the valley. And when you do finally go in to the Alhambra; bring this guide.Its the sort of guide one might have had when visiting this place two hundred years ago--more Baedeker than Lonely Planet. It emphasizes the wonder of the place rather than entrance prices and opening times. Written in a narrative style that plays up the history of this magnificent palace; it is a joy to read both before and during ones visit. In fact; a careful reading of the book prior to visiting the Alhambra is bound to enhance the visit tremendously (as; after all; the Alhambra is so popular youll be limited to a 15 to 30-minute window to make your entrance into the most stunning part of the complex; the Nasrid palace.) For that reason youll want to know ahead of time what youll be looking at; because once youre inside the rooms and courtyards go by in a blur--a gorgeous procession of delicate columns and sparkling fountains. If youre trying to read your guidebook for the first time in the midst of it all; youll miss most of it. Once you are inside; youre much better off just using the book for a quick consultation as you enter each new room; gallery; or alcove.Irwins Alhambra tells you what you really need to know about this place (one of Europes most magnificent palaces) including the unfortunate fact that much of what you will see (or are seeing) has been recreated; the presumed use of each area of the palace is at best an educated guess (and at worst; a shot in the dark). Even some of the carved inscriptions are misleading (assuming you can read medieval Arabic). As Irwin notes: "...Contreras; who knew no Arabic; rearranged them [the inscriptions] in such a way that it is no longer possible to make sense of them" (p. 47; hardbound). Regardless; there is beauty in this truth; and this book has it in spades. Your standard tourist guidebook will not confront you with such sincerity (although youll need it for the basics mentioned above: entrance prices; opening times; etc.; as Irwin is not concerned with those).The hardbound version of Irwins The Alhambra makes a great keepsake to remind you of your visit; and you can put it on your shelf next to the copy of Washington Irvings Tales of the Alhambra you picked up in the gift shop. Bottom line--if you are going to visit the Alhambra; do it right: bring this book; and read it ahead of time.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Magniacute;fico libro !By LourdesUn escritor magniacute;fico ! Estuve en la Alhambra hace un par de meses y este libro fue recomendado por mi guiacute;a. El libro en siacute; es ameno e informativo. Esta version estaacute; bien traducida al Espantilde;ol.Lo uacute;nico negativo que puedo decir es que el proacute;logo es demasiado largo; asiacute; que recomiendo que se lo brinquen y vayan directamente al libro; las descripciones del lugar como lo encontroacute; Irving en su eacute;poca son magniacute;ficas y los cuentos llevan al lector a un mundo como el de las mil y una noches.
