The Hamptons: Life Behind the Hedges

Meisel, Susan P.; Harris, Ellen

ISBN 10: 0810934310 / ISBN 13: 9780810934313

Published by Harry N. Abrams, 2000

About this Item

"The Hamptons: Life Behind the Hedges offers an insider's view of this remarkable area, located along the East End of Long Island. The authors, both of whom live in Sagaponack with their families, present the Hamptons they know and love: where the beach is never more than a mile away, where flea markets and fruit and vegetable stands abound, and where recreation is a serious activity. It's a place for friends and families to mingle at barbecues and beach outings, and it's also a place where a bicycle and a good book can bring you privacy whenever you want". (excerpt) Book is in very good condition. All pages are intact, bright, and clean. The boards and spine are tight. No interior markings. Profusely illustrated in color. A nice coffee table book on an iconic destination and lifestyle.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1676416586279

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Hamptons: Life Behind the Hedges
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Publication Date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0810934310
• ISBN 13: 9780810934313
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

A tour of the private homes, wonderful gardens, and natural attractions of a popular resort area of Long Island offers 200 color photographs that capture the architectural and design diversity of the Hamptons, a long-time refuge of the rich and artistic. Country Homes & Gardens. Architects and Designers.

Review

Forget what you may read about the glittering social scene of the Hamptons; in The Hamptons, photographed and described by Susan Meisel and Ellen Harris, we're shown a lush, summery world meant for utter peace and relaxation. From the manicured lawns enclosed by privet hedges to the wide, sandy beaches and gentle surf, the Long Island landscapes shown here are both elegant and wild, extremely modern and utterly traditional.

Focusing on three towns (Sagaponack, Bridgehampton, and Easthampton), the photographs have been divided into chapters based on their content, rather than the area in which they were taken. The variety of architecture is showcased in the "There's No Place Like Home" chapter--it's not every town that encompasses the early Federal and saltbox styles of this country right along with sleek modern styles that have open decks and windows as their focus. A surprisingly practical side of the Hamptons is disclosed in "Field of Dreams," where photos of corn, potatoes, and wheat threshing reveal the down-home roots of this farming community. "For the Love of Blue" provides the perfect pictures to help beachcombers survive gray winter days; the close-up shots of crashing waves and the panoramic views of rocky beaches may well transport you via memory to your own favorite beach.

Each chapter has a page of written introduction, but throughout the book the text is minimal, serving only to provide brief descriptions of the glorious photos. This is exactly as it should be; the photos provide such a feast for the eyes, any additional information would merely detract from their loveliness. --Jill Lightner