House Histories: The Secrets Behind Your Front Door [Hardcover]

Melanie Backe-Hansen is apparently the first House Historian to be employed by an estate agent. The majority of properties on the market might not have any significant history ( as in age and interesting former occupants), but in the case of the prestigious Chesterton and Humberts, who deal with many of the older type of property, it is such a good idea that one can't help wondering why nobody thought of it before. In light of the general rise in interest of the general public with all things historic in recent years, a book about her work would be the inevitable result, sooner or later. The jacket cover features the very attractive front door of an (unnamed) property in Bath, a lovely photograph, as they all are, and1is a very competetive price for such a well presented book. I found it to be an interesting and enjoyable read. On opening the book, the temptatuion to check the Contents list immediately to see if any of the properties featured are in your patch, is overwhelming, and I gave in right away. I was pleased to see several in mine (the West Country). This prompted me to check the locations of the rest, and I discovered that the majority were in and around London, there were a few in the Midlands, only one in Wales and none at all from North of the border. Presumably Chesterton and umberts have no offices there. The introduction gives lots of useful information, tips and advice for the novice House historian, before it launches into the first of ninety properties - you certainly get your money's worth. Most are dealt with in easily digested, one ot two page chunks, with many small photographs of diagrams, drawings, deeds and census pages, and other relevant documents which surfaced during the enquiry. There were a few reproductions of original photographs, and additional nuggets of information that put the building or the street in its context socially, then and now, and the people who inhabited them. Details such as their names and ages of wives and husbands and their children, bring the histories of the houses to life. If you want to know more, the Further Reading list at the end of the book is very complete at almost five pages long. There is also a complete list of all illustrations and where they may be found, should you wish to view them yourself. To conclude, House Histories would be a god addition to a library or reading room, and would make a lovely gift. --Journal of the Open History Society

MELANIE BACKE-HANSEN is the first House Historian to be employed by an Estate Agent (Chesterton Humberts). She writes a regular column for various magazines and newspapers. Melanie has also featured on numerous TV and radio programmes. This is her first book. She lives in London. Have a look at her blog, The House Historian at http://property-blog.chestertonhumberts.com/ The blog won the 2009 Prime Location Best Newcomer award