Terry's Reviews
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Book Reviews: |
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HAUNTED
PALACE: Danvers Asylum as Art and History By Michael Ramseur ARTSHIP
Publishing - 2005 |
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| There is no way I
thought there could ever be a better book to represent Danvers State Insane Asylum than
last year’s The Eye of Danvers – A History of Danvers State Hospital but
I was wrong. Danvers State Hospital Historian Michael Ramseur had done it again. This time
he’s put together a book that’s even more thorough and involving more people. Ramseur has gathered the thoughts and stories of a bunch of people who have worked at Danvers. This includes folks who have had an assortment of experience at the "Castle on the Hill" to give you a true idea of how the place was run throughout its existence. I’m talking about doctors, orderlies, patients, photographers, artists and even filmmaker Brad Anderson. All together you can truly get a picture what is was like in the Hospital’s infancy up to its current 75% demolished state. HAUNTED PALACE is 265 pages long and has over 160 illustrations. This includes photographs, past and present, as well as over 70 of Ramseur’s thought provoking paintings, which really help tell the story of this unforgettable place. ARTSHIP Publishing says that this is the first comprehensive history of the institution ever published. The retail price of the book, which can be purchased through www.theHauntedPalace.com and www.Amazon.com is $179.50, although ARTSHIP Publishing also offers some pre-read copies at $125, a CD-Rom is $54.50, and the Download is $45. They also offer discounts for volume orders and to libraries, schools and museums.You should visit ARTSHIP Publishing’s site www.GalleryArtship.com anyway because their site is where the largest collection of Ramseur ‘s beautiful pastel art can be viewed. I’ve also been told that ARTSHIP is also currently selling Michael’s flash films— VORTEX and PALACE OF SHADOWS— on DVD for $ 14.95 each, and soon hope to put out all 3 films, including GHOST OF THE WITCH JUDGE, on a single DVD. I’ve never witnessed a place as haunting and beautiful as Danvers State Hospital. In 2006, the gigantic architectural marvel was reduced to ruble to accommodate condominiums. This is a real tragedy to me and countless others who have been emotional moved by this building. HAUNTED PALACE: Danvers Asylum as Art and History is one of the few ways you can still visit what no longer exists. |
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