While we are still down south- as I write this, I’m in my balcony in Palm Beach overlooking the ocean breaking waves in front of me. I can get used to this. I’ll be posting a guide to these three cities I’ve been visiting, Charleston, Savannah and Palm Beach soon. In the meantime I want to share with you 5 books about Charleston and Savannah which give us a glimpse into the socio-political, architectural, and economic history of these historical cities.
5 books to read before visiting Charleston and Savannah.
Charleston! Charleston! : The History of a Southern City by Walter J. Fraser, Jr.
This book covers Charleston’s development from its founding in 1670 to Hurricane Hugo in 1989, diving into the towns history from wars, slavery and racial issues, natural disasters as well as its art and architecture.
Lowcountry: From Charleston to Savannah.
Award-winning photographer Bob Krist and travel writer Cecily McMillan explore everything from architecture and city planning to the coastal scenery and world-renowned golf courses of the region.
Historic Charleston and The Lowcountry by Steve Gross and Susan Daley.
Steve Gross and Susan Daley photographs reveal some of the finest historic homes, gardens, churches, and plantations of the old city of Charleston and its surrounding Lowcountry. You’ll have an insider’s look into private gardens hidden behind wrought iron gates. The book features old family, private homes, museums with architecture that range from Colonial-era to Federal and Greek Revival.
Savanna Georgia: A Photographic Portrait by Carrie L. Kellogg and Kendra Suzanne Williams.
This book has beautiful pictures of Savanna’s architecture and plazas.
Saving Savannah: The City and The Civil War by Jacqueline Jones
This book tells about life in Savannah before, during, and after the Civil War. It weaves together stories of the everyday lives of blacks and whites, rich and poor, men and women from all walks of life confronting the transformations that would alter their city forever.
5 things to know before your visit.
1- Don’t be surprised if your tour guide refers to a Confederate soldier as a war hero, even though that soldier was fighting to keep people enslaved…
2- Expect your food to be on the heavy side of cream. The food in the South is known for its fried chicken and heavy sauces so expect to see some of it even in the more modern restaurants. I was able to visit some of the restaurants Bon Appetite credited to bring modern cuisine to these Southern cities and their menu is still on the heavy sauce side.
3- Get ready to be charmed by the beauty of Southern architecture. The historical homes throughout Charleston and Savannah are among the oldest homes in the United States and they are absolutely gorgeous. A must see by those who appreciate good architecture and history.
4- Once you visit and get to see the beauty of the region, you will want to live in the South. Without a doubt you will love the weather, the beaches, the people and of course the slow pace of life.
5- Last but the most important to me and to those with diet restrictions, don’t expect conventional restaurants to offer gluten free bread. There are exclusively gluten-free restaurants in these cities, but not that many.
