Presents 55 castles and palaces in what is today a reunited Germany. With about 200 color images, internationally renowned photographer Marton reveals the splendid exteriors and interiors covering a thousand years of architecture, much of it totally unknown to the American public. In the accompanying text, Merten (chief curator of palaces and gardens in the state of Baden-Wnttemberg) provides each castle's place in the history of Germany and its architecture, following the fortunes of the great dynasties and their most remarkable creations and making historical and geographical connections between the castles. The two introductory essays, illustrated with original plans and drawings, present a historical overview of the territories and their rulers plus an account of the beginnings of the princely residence and its evolution through the centuries. Oversize: 10.75x13<">. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)