Behind the Doors of San Miguel De Allende

Rating:
Summary: Pictures lovely private courtyards of 16th century town
Review: Established in the sixteenth century as a Franciscan mission, the lovely town of San Miguel de Allende has been an art and artisanal center for nearly two centuries. Its cool summers and mild winters have more recently made it a popular destination for vacationers from North America and Europe. As a part-time resident of San Miguel since 1991, Robert de Gast has spent a lot of time walking the uneven streets of the town's historic district. His book of photographs "The Doors of San Miguel de Allende" (Pomegranate, 1994) deftly captured the spirit of one of the New World's oldest European settlements. Now, in "Behind the Doors of San Miguel de Allende", de Gast visits the old town's private paradises--sunstruck and shade-dappled courtyards, little sanctuaries of peace and beauty. Ninety-six superb photographs transport the viewer to parts of San Miguel the visitor seldom sees and offer glimpses of into the daily lives and traditions of those who live in this unique place.

Robert de Gast is an award-winning photographer and a widely published writer. His avocations include hot-air ballooning, which he pursues in Mexico, and sailing, which he does for part of the year on the East Coast of the United States.

Rating:
Summary: IF YOU LIKE PHOTOS...THIS IS YOUR BOOK
Review: However, If you would like to read about San Miguel, then this is not the book for you. There are about 8-9 pages of reading, then 80 pages of photos. Not very much info on San Miguel.
Not what I was looking for.

Rating:
Summary: narrow scope
Review: I wanted interiors, not courtyards. Based on what little info Amazon has provided I expected interiors to be "behind the doors". As for courtyard ideas it is good but not great. Most are a little better than average. I didn't want to rate the book lower just because it isn't what I wanted and the title is a little misleading. The author's book "The Doors of SMA" is very good. It shows doors. - jim

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I wanted interiors, not courtyards. Based on what little info Amazon has provided I expected interiors to be "behind the doors". As for courtyard ideas it is good but not great. Most are a little better than average. I didn't want to rate the book lower just because it isn't what I wanted and the title is a little misleading. The author's book "The Doors of SMA" is very good. It shows doors. - jim

Rating:
Summary: The Magic Key!
Review: Robert de Gast has provided fabulous access to the colors of San Miguel de Allende. On every visit I stroll the streets craving entry to the courtyards of these beautiful residences and have tried,in vain,to capture the hues and design of the city in my own photographs. This book is a must for anyone who has been to San Miguel as a momento of its visual treasures, and also for those who are inspired by the brave use of color in architecture and design.

Rating:
Summary: The Magic Key!
Review: Robert de Gast has provided fabulous access to the colors of San Miguel de Allende. On every visit I stroll the streets craving entry to the courtyards of these beautiful residences and have tried,in vain,to capture the hues and design of the city in my own photographs. This book is a must for anyone who has been to San Miguel as a momento of its visual treasures, and also for those who are inspired by the brave use of color in architecture and design.

Rating:
Summary: narrow scope
Review: San Miguel de Allende is a lovely historical colonial town located in the central highlands in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. A sleepy town until a bunch of American GI's returning from the war settled there, so it was suggested and now the de facto fact. Word soon spread and the price of the real estate soared. San Miguel de Allende now boasts the second largest expatriate community found in Mexico.

This book romantizes and glamorizes the homes and hotels of and for the wealthy. Perhaps the title is more applicable "Behind the doors of the rich in San Miguel de Allende". It has beautifully photographed pictures and probably makes a nice coffee table book. If you are thinking of buying or remodeling your home in San Miguel, this book surely gives you some good ideas. Better yet, go visit there yourself and take a couple of the home and garden tours offered by the library in San Miguel.

Oh, the front page showed the hotel Casa Sierra de Nevada in the park. It is no longer that but now the Hotel Quinta Real. It no longer qualifies for the small luxury hotel (SLH) designation. Let's hope behind the doors of this hotel under new management, the service and quality can equal the beauty of this property. It would be more fun and interests if behind the doors offer more into the history and intrique of each property, not to mention the juicy stuff that is going on today behind closed doors.