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Title: Harbor Hill
Subtitle: Portrait of a House
Author: Richard Guy Wilson
Narrator: Malcolm Hillgartner
Format: Unabridged
Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
Language: English
Release date: 07-03-09
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes
Genres: History, American
Publisher's Summary:
Incorporating elements of both tragedy and farce, Wilson's very American portrait covers old versus new wealth, religious differences over the building of a church, and art collecting, as well as the variety of people involved with Harbor Hill, from the architects, builders, and workers to the servants and staff who ran the house and gardens.
Critic Reviews:
"Wilson has compiled a riveting life story of...a prominent turn-of-the-century family...[and] their impressive mansion...." (Jickie Torres, Romantic Homes)
"Wilson turns this chronicle of what reporters at the time called 'Heartbreak House' into a page-turner....[an] entertaining, enlightening cautionary tale." (Eve Kahn, Period Homes)
Members Reviews:
Finally, someone documents this gem !!
Publisher W. W. Norton is to be complimented for taking a chance in publishing this book. Unlike more famous estates still standing, Harbor Hill is long gone and was not attached to a famous family like Hearst or Vanderbilt. But what a place it was !! In its day it was considered one of the wonders of the Gilded Age. Sadly it did not survive long. Yet here it's beautifully restored with outstanding photos of the house, grounds and family who built it. As you know from my other reviews, I'm a fan of these kinds of books and own many. So I judge accordingly. Trust me, this is a 'must have' for anyone interested in this subject. When it came out I bought it sight unseen since I knew it was rare that this house would have its own volume. I was certainly glad I did.
Excellent and HTF (hard to find)
Anyone who is a serious student of architecture and/or history of the Gilded Age in America will love this book by Richard Guy Wilson. To begin with, it is extremely hard to find, often commanding exhorbitant prices as I understand it is now out of print. Amazon can always be counted on to find books of this nature.
The house, Harbor Hill, was built for the Mackay family, daughter Ellin Mackay famous for marrying composer Irving Berlin (God Bless America and many others) and defying her father, Clarence Mackay, who was violently opposed to the marriage, and ended up disinheriting Ellin for marrying Berlin. The marriage endured, as a true love match does, until the death of Ellin. Berlin lived to be 101 I believe.
There are some charming photographs of the family but the true star of the book is the house, Harbor Hill, long since demolished, in the cause of progress. The vast beauty of the architecture will stagger you. It is indicative of workmanship that will never be seen again. Truly a wonderful book.
Harbor Hill: a reader's opinion
Harbor Hill: Portrait of a house deals with one of the most important private homes built in America's "gilded age." Both the family involved, and the architect, provide the meat for a good story. Unfortunately, the result is a dry review of the details. Perhaps there are few surviving photographs of the home's interior, but too few are included to gain a good picture of the interior design and furnishings. In the end, the book is something of a disappointment.
Good overview of this lost treasure
I had never heard of this house before and was interested in learning more about its demise. Its creation and life history are well presented here but little is dedicated to its decay and destruction.
