Natchez, Mississippi, attracts thousands of visitors annually. One look through these pages and it is easy to see why. Beautiful exterior shots, rare interior photographs, and moving descriptions capture the essence of one of the largest and best-preserved collections of antebellum architecture in the country. Natchez truly is a living museum. King's Tavern, circa 1789, is believed to be the oldest building in Natchez and still operates as a tavern and restaurant. The stately Greek Revival Stanton Hall occupies an entire city block and is considered one of America's finest house museums. Longwood, the largest octagonal house in the country, stands unfinished today because Northern workers stopped in their tracks and left for home at the outbreak of the Civil War. For those fortunate enough to experience this bastion of the Old South or for those who hope to visit one day, The Majesty of Natchez makes the perfect memento or gift book. It presents the grandeur of this quintessential Southern town in all its radiant splendor. Pelican's acclaimed Majesty Series takes detailed looks at the unique architecture of historic cities and geographic areas throughout the South. The nine titles currently in the ever-growing series include Colonial Williamsburg, Savannah, and New Orleans.
The ability to capture the beauty in ordinary and sometimes not-so-ordinary constructions is a gift that Steven Brooke, an internationally acclaimed architectural photographer, truly possesses. Among Brooke's many awards and achievements are the Rome Prize from the American Academy in Rome, the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Historical Museum of South Florida, two Graham Foundation Grants, and the National Honor Award for photography from the American Institute of Architects, which is the highest award given in the field of architectural photography. His outstanding work has found homes in several prestigious collections, such as the Embassy of Italy, American Institute of Architects, and United States Embassy in Rome, as well as in several personal collections. His work has also been included in several publications, including Architectural Digest. Brooke is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Architecture, teaching architectural photography and composition. In addition to teaching at the university, he offers workshops and seminars for those interested in architectural photography. He currently lives in Miami, Florida, with his wife, Suzanne Martinson, and his son, Miles.