As they grow more and more difficult to justify or maintain, English country houses have increasingly become "endangered species" in today's alien economic and political climate. In this book, David Littlejohn describes the past glories and troubled present condition of "the stately homes of England", both those that continue to serve as private houses and those which have been turned into museums, convention centers, hotels, even prisons. 49 photos.

Including an international directory of museum permanent collection catalogs.