Complete Charleston 2007-2008: A Guide to the Architecture, History, Gardens and Food

This guide to architecture, history, gardens and now food, is quite simply the best there is. It is well organized and beautifully written. Truman Moore's superb photographs are not just of pretty facades. but of some of the city's most interesting and little known architectural details. The addition of restaurant reviews makes this edition absolutely essential. Margaret Moore is a sharp critic of good food,but equally sensitive to the ambience of a restaurant. I would go anywhere with them.

I have gone through several copies and editions of this book- I give it to our visitors here in Charleston and know that they will have a wonderful resource for their stay in our beautiful city. The suggested walks are well planned, and the guide is easy to use. The photographs are excellent, too.

"Complete Charleston" is a must-have guide for those many visitors drawn to visiting this history-rich city. The Moore's guide provides an easy-to-use book for those who are adventurous and want to explore a city by walking around and "smelling the flowers." Together, they've compiled a reference to the historical background of many of Charleston's buildings, homes and gardens, which define this beautiful city. Their guide includes side trips, within one day, as well as an all important restaurant guide. My wife and I agree, if you want to "experience" the ambiance of Charleston, their guide is a must!

I just came back from an architectural conference in Charleston and over half of the attendees had this guide in their back pocket. This is really the only quidebook one needs for a visit to Charleston - and even for newcomers as it is full of history and gets you up to speed on the local issues. Written by passionate preservationists and serious epicures, this book gets to the heart of the matter quickly and puts you right into the Charleston scene with short walking tours and easy to read maps. This is the third and updated edition and is right up to date with easy to locate restaurant and hotel information. I take it with me every time I'm in town.

In 1996, while working on a study entitled "Preserving the World's Great Cities: The Destruction and Renewal of the Historic Metropolis," Peg and Truman Moore asked my advice about architectural guidebooks. So I pulled out my favorites from around the world. One year later, "Complete Charleston" was in print: handsomely photographed, thoroughly researched, smartly written, easy to use. Essential. Now in its third edition, as I lecture across North America, I often refer the Moore's guidebook to local preservation groups in other places. The history of cities is not always apparent-requiring a voice that brings the past to life. "Complete Charleston" accomplishes that task for this singular historic town. And, while fitting comfortably into a jacket pocket, the guide is nonetheless remarkably thorough: identifying every handsome landmark and lovely garden. In this regard, its survey of important African-American monuments is noteworthy. More than any other place I know, Charleston chronicles in its cityscape the story of Black-Americans up and out of slavery. "Complete Charleston" allows a moving tour of that history. In all, this guidebook makes for a wonderful voyage through a vibrant place, a trip that must be taken by foot because there's so much to see.