Dan Cruickshank's latest book, 'The English House', is an intriguing study of eight English homes spanning from the early 1700s to 100 years ago. The architecture writer and TV presenter takes a keen-eyed tour of these properties, delving into who commissioned and built them, and how they got the job done.
While Cruickshank's approach may seem daunting at first - building accounts, tradesmen's records, and architectural jargon can be dry reading material - he eventually reveals surprising insights into the lives of his chosen dwellings' occupants. Take Pallant House in Chichester, for example. The young couple who commissioned it had lively arguments over design and budget, with their tradesmen unwittingly exposing their marital spat through records of work done.
In another instance, Henry Maisen built a fine house in Hull in the 18th century but left most of the construction to his brother Nathaniel, while he enjoyed himself in London. A letter from Nathaniel to his brother reveals a more sinister side - the toys available at their brother's toy shop in Covent Garden were likely adult in nature.
Cruickshank also delves into darker stories, such as the Boundary Street estate in Shoreditch, which was home to one of the first council flats. However, this development replaced a notorious slum rather than rehousing its inhabitants. The author's research uncovers these and other surprising stories that humanize his chosen dwellings' occupants.
A banker's residence in Liverpool prompts an exploration of the port's role in the transatlantic slave trade. Meanwhile, a house built by Huguenots in Spitalfields was initially a place of refuge for embattled immigrants before becoming a synagogue and later abandoning its original purpose. Cruickshank skillfully fills these spaces with spectral voices of the long dead, drawing the reader into a rich tapestry of stories that reveal the complexities of England's history.
Ultimately, 'The English House' is not just about architecture; it's about people - their struggles, disagreements, and triumphs. The book may be dense at times, but Cruickshank's writing is engaging, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the lives behind these historic homes.
While Cruickshank's approach may seem daunting at first - building accounts, tradesmen's records, and architectural jargon can be dry reading material - he eventually reveals surprising insights into the lives of his chosen dwellings' occupants. Take Pallant House in Chichester, for example. The young couple who commissioned it had lively arguments over design and budget, with their tradesmen unwittingly exposing their marital spat through records of work done.
In another instance, Henry Maisen built a fine house in Hull in the 18th century but left most of the construction to his brother Nathaniel, while he enjoyed himself in London. A letter from Nathaniel to his brother reveals a more sinister side - the toys available at their brother's toy shop in Covent Garden were likely adult in nature.
Cruickshank also delves into darker stories, such as the Boundary Street estate in Shoreditch, which was home to one of the first council flats. However, this development replaced a notorious slum rather than rehousing its inhabitants. The author's research uncovers these and other surprising stories that humanize his chosen dwellings' occupants.
A banker's residence in Liverpool prompts an exploration of the port's role in the transatlantic slave trade. Meanwhile, a house built by Huguenots in Spitalfields was initially a place of refuge for embattled immigrants before becoming a synagogue and later abandoning its original purpose. Cruickshank skillfully fills these spaces with spectral voices of the long dead, drawing the reader into a rich tapestry of stories that reveal the complexities of England's history.
Ultimately, 'The English House' is not just about architecture; it's about people - their struggles, disagreements, and triumphs. The book may be dense at times, but Cruickshank's writing is engaging, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the lives behind these historic homes.
Dan Cruickshank is like a historian detective, peeling back the layers to reveal all the juicy secrets hidden within those old English homes 
. The way he weaves together the stories of his chosen dwellings' occupants is pure magic - you can almost feel the tension between that young couple at Pallant House or sense the unease in Nathaniel's letter 
. And the dark histories like Boundary Street estate? absolutely fascinating! 
Cruickshank's writing is so engaging, even when the book gets a bit dense, I wouldn't dare put it down 
. Can't wait to read more of his work! 
! It's not just about the architecture of these old English houses, but about the people who lived there too. I love how he digs up all these hidden stories and secrets - like that couple who had a major fight over design and budget at Pallant House 
. And oh man, the letter from Nathaniel to his brother about his toy shop in Covent Garden is just wild 
- it's like stepping into a time capsule and getting all the tea on these famous homes. I mean, who knew Pallant House had a marital spat hidden in the records of work done? 
.
. Trust me, it's worth diving into! 
Then again, who needs romance when you have slave trade & shady toy shops? 
The man knows how to weave a web of stories that'll keep you hooked! 
i love how he brings the past to life with his writing. and yeah, it's not just about architecture, it's about humanizing history 
... anyway, i think this book is gonna be super insightful, it's not just about old houses, but about who we are as people, flaws and all 
It's not just about the architecture, but about the people who lived there, their struggles, and their stories. The way Cruickshank weaves these tales together is like magic 
. And yeah, some of the stories are pretty dark - like the council flats in Shoreditch that replaced a slum without rehoming its inhabitants 
. And the toy shop in Covent Garden being full of adult stuff? 
. I mean, who knew that Pallant House was built during some pretty drama-filled times? And that letter from Nathaniel to his brother about the adult toys in Covent Garden? Mind blown! 
. I'm definitely picking up a copy of 'The English House' now - can't wait to dive in and learn more about these fascinating homes 
. Overall, I think 'The English House' is a must-read for anyone interested in history, architecture, or just getting a glimpse into the lives of people who shaped their world 
it's like a mystery novel but instead of detectives, its about old england houses & the ppl who lived in them 