Very Charleston: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Lowcountry Charm

by Diana Hollingsworth Gessler

Book Overview

Cobblestone streets leading to perfectly preserved historic homes. Intricate wrought-iron gates opening to lush, fragrant gardens. A skyline of steeples and a river harbor bustling with schooners and sailboats. Charleston is one of America's most charming cities. In vibrant watercolors and detailed sketches, artist Diana Gessler captures the beauty and riches that make Charleston so unique: White Point Gardens, the Spoleto Festival, Rainbow Row, Waterfront Park, Fort Moultrie, the beaches of Sullivan's Island, sumptuous Lowcountry cuisine, and handmade sweetgrass baskets. Full of fascinating details--on everything from the art of early entertaining, the city's inspired architectural and garden designs, and George Washington's Southern tour to famous Charlestonians and the flags of Sumter--Very Charleston celebrates the city, the Lowcountry, the people, and our history. Hand-lettered and full color throughout, Very Charleston includes maps, an index, and a handy appendix of sites. With her cheerful illustrations and love for discovering little-known facts, Diana Gessler has created both an entertaining guide and an irresistible keepsake for visitors and Charlestonians alike.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1565123395
• ISBN13: 9781565123397
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Algonquin Books
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

In Love with Charleston

My daughter had this book with her when we visited Charleston for the 2nd time. After reading it (couldn't put it down), we found more reasons to return to this wonderful area; learned more interesting facts about already viewed streets, homes and history. It is a light read with beautiful watercolor pictures throughout the book. Don't pass it up!

Delightful!

The wonderful watercolor drawings and short descriptions make this book a must have for those people who have been (or will soon go) to Charleston, South Carolina. The spirit and color of Charleston is captured in this small volume. I traveled to Charleston with three other women and we all bought this book! One lady even used it as her trip journal, making comments in the book about places we had been. I bought one for another friend going to Charleston and she, too, loved this little book.

Very Charleston

Very interesting little book with great illustrations. Gives insight to many of the things we South Carolians have always heard about Charleston like the derivation of Charleston Green paint, why the pineapple is a welcome sign, etc., etc.

WONDERFUL BOOK!!!!

My mother-in-law gave us this book before our move to Charleston, SC. My own family came to visit and while driving around downtown with the book it felt like a tour of our very own. The next day we did in fact go on a real Charleston tour and they restated many of the interesting facts of Charleston found within the book! The book is not only a wealth of information, but also a beautifully illustrated book!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! :) I recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about Charleston!

Radiant and Inviting

I recieved this book as a gift from my mother and was impressed with the watercolors and the excentric details of her artwork. Her ability to go into a city and get to the heart of it while learning a bit of history as well was "very charming". I reccommend this book for everyone.