Berkshire Geoffrey Tyack, Simon Bradley, Nikolaus Pevsner

Nikolaus Pevsner described Berkshire as 'half home county, half West Country'. This revised and comprehensive guide follows its historic boundaries, including the large area transferred to Oxfordshire in the 1970s. The variety of architecture is, in consequence, broad and remarkable. Berkshire's houses range from intriguing early timber-framed dwellings to the splendors of Windsor Castle, at once England's greatest fortress and finest royal palace, through Georgian, Victorian and Arts-&-Crafts mansions of exceptional diversity and richness. Besides its numerous medieval churches, the county is a wonderful hunting ground for the Gothic Revival, including works by famous names such as Butterfield and G.E. Street. Its market towns retain much of their Georgian charm, while the prosperity of recent years has brought new waves of confident and innovative architecture. Each city, town or village is treated in a detailed gazetter. A general introduction provides a historical and artistic overview. Also included are plentiful maps and plans, over 100 new color photographs, full indexes and an illustrated glossary. The result is both an indispensable reference work and an invaluable guide.

Geoffrey Tyack lives in Oxford and teaches architectural history at the university. Simon Bradley is the author of the Westminster and City of London volumes of the Buildings of England series. Nikolaus Pevsner was the series founder.

"These volumes are fuller of life than ever." -Robert Harbison, Building Design

"This publication is a remarkable achievement that will provide an invaluable reference for many years to come."—Duncan Coe, The Society for Medieval Archaeology

"Yale University Press deserves all the plaudits it has already received for perpetuating the series and bringing it as close to perfection as is possible in an imperfect world." -Ferdinand Mount, Times Literary Supplement

"The new Buildings of England volume is an admirable guide." -Graham Tite, Context

"Geoffrey Tyack and Simon Bradley have performed an extraordinary and admirable task." -Candida Lycett Green, Cornerstone

"As always the detailed descriptions give all the information anyone could want and there is a superb introduction and good indices." -E.B, Contemporary Review

"The obvious care that has gone into the background research makes this a book to be treasured. Far from being just a work of reference, however, it actively encourages readers to explore architecture for themselves. Like all good guides, it opens up worlds, enriching experience by drawing attention to significant features – leading to renewed appreciation of the built heritage of Berkshire."—Matt Edgeworth, Medieval Settlement Research

"Quite simply, magnificent…Tyack brilliantly reveals the hidden delights that can be found throughout the county…Pevsner Berkshire is a subtle and sensitive piece of restoration…a triumph: an essential read for any serious local historian as well as an invaluable companion for every visitor to the county."—William Whyte, Oxoniensia Vol.76