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The Doors of San Miguel De Allende | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert De Gast
Publisher: Pomegranate Communications
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $12.00
You Save: $7.95 (40%)
New (5) Used (14) Collectible (3) from $9.40
Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 337561
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Pages: 96
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 6.3 x 0.5
ISBN: 156640990X
Dewey Decimal Number: 721.822097241
EAN: 9781566409902
ASIN: 156640990X
Publication Date: October 1994
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
This unusual book celebrates the colorful, sunwashed doorways of San Miguel de Allende, one of the oldest towns in Mexico. Picturesque, intellectually stimulating and historically fascinating, this arts-and-crafts and cultural center is a popular destination for tourists, expatriates, and vacationers. When photographer-writer Robert de Gast first visited there in 1987 he was particularly captivated by its doors---of mansions, houses, stables, churches, banks, studios, and stores. He returned five years later to document them; eighty of his photographs from that trip have been selected for this entrancing book. De Gast lives part of every year in San Miguel, where he continues to photograph and write.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Worthy of a Grander Scale June 29, 2008
Tricepilot (Cibolo, Texas)
There is no doubt that this book contains fine photography of a very interesting subject. I just wish, however, I paid more attention to the product description: Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches. This is not a coffee table book, and each photograph is 4.25 x 6.5 inches. So don't expect a book of the dimension that usually does justice to these types of photos. Let's just say that I wish I had a much larger format with which to enjoy the author's work.
That said and out of the way, the author/photographer hits the mark exactly with a very intriguing facet of Old Mexico and the charming colonial city of San Miguel de Allende. Cities like this have an ancient patina to them, something that only history and time can impart. Like most art, you either get it or you don't, and this author gets it.
The book isn't a metaphor to life inside the city, it is exactly what the title states - a collection of beautifully photographed handcrafted doors. But there is more; even if you have not made the journey to Old Mexico, you begin to know it by the faces of these doors. Much like human faces, there is embedded in each a perspective of a life lived and served, and serving, such that the reader/observer begins to wonder about the depths of the soul of each residence.
I have been to San Miguel de Allende on one of several motorcyle journeys through Mexico. It is a land of enchantment, wonderful history, lively tradtions, excellent food, and most of all, a rich culture and some of the most vibrant, friendly people in all the world. They literally open their hearts - and doors - to all who travel and visit with humility and respect.
This book deserves a larger footprint to display the author's work. But since it does not, I hope it serves as a teaser to those who have never been to San Miguel, or Guanajuato, or Zacatecas and the like - to go and see, and open, doors both literally and figuratively to a world so close yet so far away. Viva Old Mexico!
 A Good Read IF YOU'RE into these things April 11, 2006
MMac (Indiana)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
but if not, you'll be bored senseless.
 Interesting, I guess, but beware the title August 27, 2005
Vagabond
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
This book was purchased as a gift for me. I am a subscriber to International Living, and San Miguel is a long-time favorite of theirs.
I mentioned this, and the way the city had piqued my interest, to a family member. She then promptly went online and ordered this book for me.
It is for this reason that I issue the following warning: the title should be taken LITERALLY, not figuratively.
It could be read either way, but this book is NOT about opening the metaphorical doors to life in San Miguel. You will not look in these pages and then find the metaphorical doors to San Miguel thrown open to your understanding and appreciation. You will not learn about expat or local life in this historical city. And you will not find yourself frequently referring back here as you plan your trip or your move.
What you WILL find, seriously, is heaps about the actual physical doorways on buildings in San Miguel.
If you WANT the world's premiere photo-essay collection about the doorways in San Miguel, then this is a five-star tome all the way. Look all you want, you won't find better. If you want info about the city and culture of this red-hot expat community, look elsewhere.
Great door collection! August 10, 2002
James Preston (Santa Clara, CA United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you are looking for rustic colonial or American Southwest doors then this book is a must buy. - jim
 NICE DOOR PHOTOS,....BUT March 1, 2002
Gerald Cifaldi (Paterson, NJ United States)
5 out of 12 found this review helpful
If you are looking for information about San Miguel, this book does NOT provide it! Very little written...too many door photos!
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