The Architecture of Diplomacy: The British Ambassador's Residence in Washington

An intimate excursion, past and present, into the British ambassador's residence in Washington beguiles with its exceptional interior design, extensive horticulture collection, and politically charged history. Since opening its doors in 1930, the British ambassador's residence has been considered the premier diplomatic address in Washington, D.C. A cross between an English country house and a neo-Palladian plantation, the residence is a compelling but often overlooked example of the work of Sir Edwin Lutyens. In this book, Anthony Seldon and Daniel Collings explore both the genius of Lutyens's design and the rich history of Anglo-American relations that has unfolded within its walls. The house and its extensive gardens are lavishly illustrated by specially commissioned photography, while striking images from the archives bring to life events from its past. Through such prized events and the skill of successive ambassadors arose a building that helped create and then embody the special relationship. From Winston Churchill's rambunctious visits during the Second World War to the dark days of Vietnam, and the rejuvenation of the relationship during the Thatcher-Reagan period, this book takes the reader deep behind the scenes.