{"product_id":"secrets-of-an-english-country-house-a-year-at-mapperton-9781836007289","title":"Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton","description":"\u003cb\u003eStep inside a real English country house with Julie Montagu--Chicago-born countess and star of Bravo's \u003ci\u003eLadies of London\u003c\/i\u003e--as she reveals what it truly takes to run a historic estate today. \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhat's it really like to live in and be responsible for one of England's great country houses? In \u003ci\u003eSecrets of an English Country House\u003c\/i\u003e, Julie Montagu \u003cb\u003eopens the doors of Mapperton\u003c\/b\u003e, the 1,900-acre estate she and her husband Luke Montagu, Earl of Sandwich, took over in 2016. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFar from the fantasy of aristocratic ease, Julie shares the \u003cb\u003ehands-on reality of modern estate life\u003c\/b\u003e: restoring historic rooms, conserving priceless objects, opening the house to the public, launching a rewilding project, and balancing tradition with the demands of the twenty-first century. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOrganised around the changing seasons, you will discover: \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e \u003cb\u003eAn American perspective\u003c\/b\u003e on adapting to one of Britain's most tradition-bound worlds. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e The \u003cb\u003eday-to-day realities\u003c\/b\u003e of running a working estate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e The \u003cb\u003ehidden histories of Mapperton and the Montagu family\u003c\/b\u003e, revealed through letters, paintings, clothing, and archives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e What it takes to \u003cb\u003erestore and maintain a centuries-old house\u003c\/b\u003e while welcoming visitors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlong the way, Julie brings the past vividly to life, \u003cb\u003euncovering extraordinary stories\u003c\/b\u003e hidden in the house's archives and discovering a kindred spirit in Alberta Montagu, 9th Countess of Sandwich, the Gilded Age American heiress who has redefined the Dollar Princess narrative.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart memoir, part social history, and part country-house chronicle, this is an essential read for those fascinated by British history, grand houses, and the people working to preserve them for the future. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Julie Montagu\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Frances Lincoln\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/22\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 256\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 2.74lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 10.45h x 8.60w x 0.99d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781836007289\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 10\/01\/2026 pg. 47\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJulie Montagu, Countess of Sandwich\u003c\/b\u003e is not your average aristocrat. Born on the outskirts of Chicago, she describes herself as an all-American girl who unexpectedly met the future Earl of Sandwich and then married into the British aristocracy. Two decades later, Julie is the driving force behind Mapperton House, Gardens \u0026amp; Wildlands in Dorset, UK - widely regarded as one of England's finest manor houses. She shares her daily life with hundreds of thousands of followers via YouTube (\u003cb\u003e@MappertonLive\u003c\/b\u003e) and Instagram (\u003cb\u003e@juliemontagu\u003c\/b\u003e) as well as Facebook, Patreon and Substack. Alongside managing the estate, Julie built a successful career as a wellness entrepreneur and yoga instructor, writing several bestselling books and appearing on Bravo's \u003ci\u003eLadies of London\u003c\/i\u003e. As a historian, she is a sought-after presenter and commentator on British history and royal affairs for both UK and US networks. In 2020, she presented\u003ci\u003e An American Aristocrat's Guide to Great Estates\u003c\/i\u003e for the Smithsonian Channel. She later launched the \u003cb\u003e@AmericanCountess \u003c\/b\u003eYouTube channel, where her production company, Living History Films, produces high-quality documentaries exploring Britain's stately homes.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"booksdeli.com","offers":[{"title":"Julie Montagu \/ Hardcover \/ English","offer_id":48969009103005,"sku":"9781836007289","price":48.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/5648\/9373\/files\/img_e2186aaf-1a08-4bc2-af69-aa21a2328c1d.jpg?v=1790753492","url":"https:\/\/booksdeli.com\/products\/secrets-of-an-english-country-house-a-year-at-mapperton-9781836007289","provider":"booksdeli.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}