The World of Downton Abbey (2011)

It's a big book but a quick read; many of the pages are beautiful double-page-spreads of photographs with only a quote or a paragraph on them. The one thing that irked me as I was reading is that these DPSs interrupted the flow of the text, so I had to flip back and forth between pages to keep my place in the main narrative.

Other than that quirk of the layout, I really enjoyed the book (as silly as it feels to read a book about a TV show). However, in addition to quotes from people involved in the show, giving insight into their characters or behind-the-scenes info about the sets, there was also genuine historical information that helped round out the story and explain more about life in that time period. I'd definitely recommend this to any fans of the Downton Abbey. ( )

Goooorgeous. ( )

A nice companion to the Wonderful TV series...informative about the time, actors and the sets and props... ( )

This a beautiful souvenir for fans of the television series. The book is broken into sections covering family life, society, change, life in service, style, house and estate, romance, war, and behind the scenes. The plot of the series is not really covered. It's more of a collection of gorgeous photographs of the cast as well as historical photographs alongside nonfiction articles relating tidbits of the time. I read this along with other books such as Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey and Below Stairs to tide me over to the new season of Downton Abbey. I was so looking forward to it until I read that Dan Stevens aka Matthew Crawley has decided to move on leaving his character to....well I won't ruin it for you like it was ruined for me. Really Dan? You couldn't commit to a few measly episodes of a hit drama that anyone else would give their eye teeth to be a part of. I curse you and the remnants of what is sure to be your sad pathetic career prospects. Thanks a lot for nothing. Oh yeah, the book is good, you should buy it, a must for fans (and former fans of which I must now count myself) of Downton Abbey, sob! ( )

Answered all of my immediate questions about the era and gave an extensive list of recommended reading to learn more. Loved it - will tide me over until the new season starts next year! ( )