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Feb 22, 2012

Traci rated it:

Normally I don't read TV companions like this, but I had to make an exception for Downton Abbey, and I'm glad I did. This show is like crack for anybody who enjoys period dramas and is also an excellent beginning series for those who aren't so into this kind of stuff (I swear that my husband is anticipating the second series more than me). The book has a beautiful layout and contains enough researched information from the time period (the series starts in 1912... two years in George V's reign) More...

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Feb 20, 2012

Heidi rated it:

Yes, I love the TV series, but that's not the reason I gave this book five stars. Not only does it give background on the major characters but it delves into history and customs as well. The author, niece of the series creator, gives us the opportunity to peak into the lives of not just the characters we have come to love but also real-life people who lived in the English country homes, both the servants and the homeowners. The photographs beginning chapter one are a good reminder of who does wh More...

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Dec 18, 2011

Amy rated it:

In December, when all the great gift books are released, I usually purchase myself a book that will be a delight for years to come. This year I struck gold with The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellows. With the broadcast of season two beginning on January 8th on PBS I eagerly devoured the book which is filled with information on both the production and the history of the time depicted. With chapters devoted to subjects like “Life in Service” and “House and Estate” readers gain insight i More...

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Oct 01, 2011

Indiaskye rated it:

The World of Downton Abbey" is a stunningly beautiful companion book to this wonderful television show --- you can see that it was put together with a lot of thought and attention to detail! It is a hardcover book printed on glossy paper, and on its 303 pages it offers a wealth of pictures and information.

The book begins with a foreword by series creator Julian Fellowes and is split into 9 different sections after that:

Family Life
Society
Change
L More...

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Feb 01, 2012

Elizabeth rated it:

This is a companion book for the show written by the niece of the creator Julian Fellows (who provides the foreword). Each chapter discusses different aspects of the time and how the characters of Downton Abbey might have been affected by them. Pictures and quotations from the actors are interspersed within every chapter, along with quotations and information about people who lived through the time. The final chapter goes behind the scenes to discuss how the show is made.

Readers shoul More...

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Jan 28, 2012

meg rated it:

This book is a book for Downton Abbey lovers or anyone who is an early 20th century history buff. (It does contain spoilers though!)

While it presents itself as a coffee table book, don't be fooled. In addition to giving a little back story to the characters of Downton Abbey, it gives an enormous glimpse into the lives of the aristocratic, and sometimes lower classes, during World War 1.

The book contains pictures from the show, behind-the-scenes information, and various colla More...

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Jan 28, 2012

Amanda rated it:

I really enjoyed this book.

As a fan of the show Downton Abbey I was excited to learn some new information about season 1 and gain some insight into season 2. Instead what I received was both information about series 1 and 2 and an exciting history lesson on the early 20th century.

I was really surprised at how much depth and history the novel went into regarding the life the characters would have lived. Topics included Society, War, Romance, Fashion, Life in Service etc. More...

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Nov 10, 2011

Claire rated it:

Pretty is not a word I'd usually describe a book with, but this is a pretty, pretty book, with gorgeous pictures.
It puts the tv series in historical context, explaning how the aristocrats lived, how life in service was, and the social and political background.
As I tend to be kind of obsessive when I really like a show, I knew some of this stuff already, but it was an interesting read nonetheless, with insights as to how Julian Fellowes came up with some of the ideas for the plot.
More...

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Feb 14, 2012

Carin rated it:

The World of Downton Abbey is a relatively rare find in the plethora of books about television programmes. Not only does this book inform you about the characters from the show, it also gives an insight into life during pre and during World War I England.

Generally books like this are set into chapters about setting, characters, plot etc. Not so here. Jessica Fellowes has taken an innovative approach with the text and coupled it with beautifully detailed photographs from the world of More...

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Feb 16, 2012

Mary rated it:

If you love the show and are addicted to Downton Abbey as I am; you will love this lavish companion book. It has wonderful photographs of the actors and the beautiful location of Highclere Castle that is the set for Downton Abbey. I could not wait for the PBS episodes. I got so impatient that I had to buy the DVDs so that I could find out if Anna and Bates end up together or whether or not Mary and Mathew finally get together. I just love this show and this book only enhances the experience. More...

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Feb 14, 2012

Jinnie rated it:

The World of Downton Abbey, by Jessica Fellowes (the director's wife). This show is my new obsession! So in addition to catching up on Season One via video, I treated myself to this book (on iPad). The photos are a big draw, and the writing includes more / deeper references to the history and culture of the times than can be included in the show, so it is good at providing additional context to those of us who enjoy that. Perhaps the best part is the bibliography, which lists additional resource More...

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Jan 14, 2012

Flyfisherjo rated it:

The book itself is wonderful. If you are a follower of the tv series, the information here will provide you with a better background on the show and on the real history of its time setting. The authir has done a great job and it is worth reading.
I take away one star because on the iPad where I read my books, I cannot expand the text or photos like I can with my iBooks library. That was disappointing. Kobo still has some developing to go. Still, the advantage of the iPad is I get all the ph More...

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Jan 22, 2012

Sheila rated it:

I finished this book before the current season of Downton Abbey began, and thankfully there are not too many spoilers, though it is meant to be a companion to both seasons that exist so far. Actually, there are no real plot spoilers, but there is an extensive section on the first world war, which doesn't hit Downton until the first episode of Season 2. I enjoyed both the background knowledge of the era as well as the behind-the-scenes details of filming, which I wished were longer. Fantastic pho More...

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Feb 18, 2012

Meredith rated it:

Originally published on The Librarian Next Door:

“The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear that it seems as if the way of life it represents will last for another thousand years. It’s won’t.”

Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “most critically acclaimed television show” for 2011, Downton Abbey has taken the world by storm. The massively popular show was originally intended More...

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Jan 03, 2012

Kate rated it:

This is a gorgeous book, containing really high quality photos from the two series of Downton Abbey.

What I really loved about it was the way it combined social history with the characters and plots from the series which made it really interesting.
Many points were illustrated by referencing a certain character, so it was easy to relate to the subject and see an example of it in a character from the show. It made the subject really come to life in a vivid way that I haven't pa More...

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Jan 08, 2012

Luke rated it:

I'm a tragic fan of Downton. TRAGIC. Not ashamed of it either! I've got the soundtrack as well. I play it on high rotation when walking my dogs. My expanding waistline was already making me feel like stiff-lipped Lord Grantham getting the bad news about his war effort, so the music leaves me pretty much stinking of noblesse oblige. Therefore, I bloody loved this book. If I could have taken it out walking with me too, I would have. Common sense and a fear of limb fractures stopped me. This book w More...

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Feb 05, 2012

Jessica rated it:

I need to find a new hobby. I knew all of the facts and details that were included. Like, people in the Edwardian era did 'xyz'. It's kind of ridiculous how much I know about domestic history. Well...it makes me happy but there's not much left to learn!

Anyhoo, still loved this of course and frequently yelled at my mother for getting her grubby prints on it, as it's such a lovely book.

The best part in my mind was the last chapter- reading about the behind the scenes.

More...

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Dec 29, 2011

Beth rated it:

I usually wouldn't read a companion book to a television show but I'm so obsessed with the series Downton Abbey I had to make an exception. While the writing itself was nothing exceptional the pictures were gorgeous. I enjoyed looking at the detail of all the costumes and it was fun learning all the details about how the show is put together. There was even some history about life during the Edwardian period so it wasn't just about the show. Overall, the book was very enjoyable and I'd recom More...

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Jan 08, 2012

christina rated it:

LOVE. The historic detail and perspective on the characters in their time was fascinating. The pictures are as lush and beautiful as the film (of course). And the layout is an interesting hybrid between a lavish film book and a social history complete with original pictures from the era. I've always been interested in the period but I've never learned so much in one sitting or enjoyed it half as well. A great read before, during, and after episodes!

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Jan 12, 2012

Redgie rated it:

Amazing book full of information and trivia not just about the show, but also both the real and fictional world of Downton Abbey.

For example:
"Actors were reminded not to say 'nee-ther' or 'ee-ther' but 'nye-ther' and 'eye-ther'. The former only came into use after the Second World War when the American soldiers came to Britain.

Must read for fans of the show! And also Anglophiles and for fans of history and the Edwardian period.

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Feb 10, 2012

Kirsten rated it:

This book blew my mind. I was expecting something dry, and just repetition of what we've seen on the show. Instead it was a fantastic book of historical background, with perspective based on the show. Really gave good perspective as to why certain things happened when they did. Loved this book. I got it from my local library but I will be buying it now. If you love Downton Abbey, you will love this book.

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Jan 15, 2012

Nell rated it:

I admit to being a Downton Abbey groupie. The book has lovely photos and puts the show in the context of its time, and athough all the information wasn't new to me, it's well presented.I especially liked reading about the costumes, props, and some of the furnishings--which were original, where some of them came from, which were reproductions

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Feb 20, 2012

Bev rated it:

As delighted as I am with the PBS series, I loved this book for all the behind-the-scenes photos and information about the creation of the show and its commitment to authenticity. I would love to visit Highclere Castle now to see the location used for filming "Downton Abbey" (at least, the "upstairs" portions). Very enjoyable, gorgeous book.

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Feb 12, 2012

Melissa rated it:

So fun! A great explanation of the whys and wheretofores of the tv series. Julian Fellowes occasionally contributes insights from his own family which are endearing. The list of references in the back has added to my TBR!

Filled with photographs from the series (both in front of and behind the camera) and period photos.

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Jan 14, 2012

Joy rated it:

Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous Book...the pictures are stunning..the information is awesome...gives you a great understanding of the time period and standards they had back then...a Wonderful Addition to any ones library and a great book to go with Downton Abbey on PBS ... Love the Series and now love the Book

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Jan 02, 2012

JFN rated it:

If you're very interested in Downton Abbey and the world it depicts, this is a very fun read. It's light -- I polished it off in a few sittings -- but it gives a satisfying dose of the show I've come to love, the characters, and the thought, creativity, and hard work that go into making it.

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Oct 25, 2011

Kim rated it:

This is an absolutely wonderful book. It would make an excellent christmas present for a Downton fan. It is full of photos and information both about the programme, actors and historical pieces. I borrowed this from the library- but is one that I will be adding to the bookshelves if Santa got enough hints!

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Feb 18, 2012

Christina rated it:

So far, it's interesting and historically enlightening in a fluffy sort of way. The author does have a disconcerting tendency to write about the Downton characters as it they were real people. Yes, some are based on real people but the characters in the show are actors, not real historical figures.

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Feb 09, 2012

Lisa rated it:

I adore Downton Abbey, so I was excited to get my hands on this book. It's a really gorgeous book with loads of information about the show and the history behind it. I enjoyed some sections more than others, but it was an interesting book all the same.

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Dec 23, 2011

Leslie rated it:

If you love the show, you will love the book, and vice versa. It is great to get more historical context and background for the characters that you love on the show. This was a quick read that I finished in a day of plane travel.

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