The World of Downton Abbey

Summary (from the publisher): A lavish look at the real world--both the secret history and the behind-the-scenes drama--of the spellbinding Emmy Award-winning Masterpiece TV series Downton Abbey

 

April 1912. The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear that it seems as if the way it represents will last for another thousand years. It won't.

 

Millions of American viewers were enthralled by the world of Downton Abbey, the mesmerizing TV drama of the aristocratic Crawley family--and their servants--on the verge of dramatic change. On the eve of Season 2 of the TV presentation, this gorgeous book--illustrated with sketches and research from the production team, as well as on-set photographs from both seasons--takes us even deeper into that world, with fresh insights into the story and characters as well as the social history.

Review: This is such a beautiful book! It's filled with gorgeous photos of the show and details of behind the scene information about the source of props and outfits and the historical significance behind the show. But before anything else, this is a history book that describes and explains the time period and world in which Downton Abbey is set. I would love to watch the first two seasons of the show over again after reading this, because I now know there was a reason and deliberate choice behind every character and action depicted on the show. I think this is a fascinating time period in Britain's history - on the brink of modernity and change, yet still so set in tradition and social rules. Even those who are not currently fans of Downton Abbey as a tv show would learn a lot and have an interesting glimpse of history from reading this well-written book about the wealthy families of Britain and their estates and domestic servants. 

Stars: 4.5