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I Had a Château in Provence Kindle Edition

by Iain McGarvie-Munn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 24 ratings
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This book takes the reader on an amazing voyage, from living in the presidential house as the grandson of the President of Guatemala, to the tribulations of life in an English boarding school and France where I study architecture and restore our first home, a château in central France. After six years I move to Château d’Entrecasteaux in Provence, which is central to the theme of my story. The pages are filled with history, political intrigues, presidential elections, coup d’etats, murders, illicit affairs, kidnappings and ghosts, all interwoven by a love story that weaves its way through the history of Château d’Entrecasteaux and makes for compelling reading.
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  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    July 14, 2015
  5. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  6. Grade level
    7 - 12
  7. File size
    1009 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A very powerful page-turner. Iain McGarvie-Munn writes eloquently and passionately about his life, his loves, and his castle. In I Had a Chateau in Provence, the author takes his audience on an exquisite and powerful journey - from hardship to nobility, from Central America to the south of France - that readers will not soon forget. This autobiography is a true page-turner; what seems like a fantasy is every bit as real as it gets." Gail Eisnitz, author of "Slaughterhouse" and winner of the Albert Schweitzer Medal"

About the Author

Iain McGarvie-Munn was educated in Guatemala, Colombia, England and France where he studied architecture and devoted nearly thirty years to renovating castles and opening them to the public. He is the recipient of France's most prestigious awards for the restoration of historical buildings and was decorated with the French Medal of Tourism in 1995. His novel, Freedom Bound: A Jessica Parker Adventure, was published in 2015.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B011PLFVOW
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 14, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1009 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

About the author

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Iain McGarvie-Munn

Iain McGarvie-Munn

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ABOUT IAIN MCGARVIE-MUNN

I was born in New York but lived abroad most of my life. When I moved back to the States I began writing my memoir, "I Had a Château in Provence", which was recently published. In it I recount my very private feelings and reminiscences about what has been a rather public life. Below, you will find a bare bones chronological resume but if you read my autobiography you will learn about the political intrigues, presidential elections, coup d'états, murders, illicit affairs, kidnappings and ghost stories that were an integral part of my life, all interwoven with the history of a very old French castle.

RESUME

2016 - Published "I Had a Château in Provence" as a paperback edition on his imprint MUNN BOOKS.

2015 - Published his memoir "I Had a Château in Provence" on Amazon Kindle. Published a novel "Freedom Bound: A Jessica Parker Adventure" on his new imprint MUNN BOOKS.

2001-Present Manages & represents fine arts photographer Juliet van Otteren. Collaborated with her on Heart of the Horse, a best-selling photography book with a foreword by Jane Goodall and essays by Alan Lightman, published by Barnes and Noble in 2004

1996-2000 Moved back to the USA. Restored single-family homes.

1974-1995 Executive Director/Curator, Château d'Entrecasteaux: Chosen in 1989 by the London Sunday Times as one of the ten best museums in France. During this period scheduled and curated hundreds of exhibitions including Man Ray, Cecil Beaton, Hans Hartung, etc.

1974-1995 Director of Restoration, Château d'Entrecasteaux. Rebuilt from a ruin this magnificent 31,000 sq. ft. stately home erected in the XIth and XVIIth centuries.

1991 Speaker at the convention of the ICOMOS, the International Council of Monuments and Sites.

1986-1987 Initiator, Coordinator and Host of Terra Australis to Australia, the official French introductory historical colloquium to the bicentennial of Australia.

1983-1995 Delegate of La Demeure Historique. France's Historic House Owners Association.

1983-1992 President and Founder of the Route Historique des Haut Lieux de Provence, a non profit association grouping Var state's sixteen most important Monuments open to the public and receiving a combined total of over 500,000 visitors a year.

1983-1986 President and Founder Festival International de Musique de Chambre d'Entrecasteaux, a chamber music school of international acclaim.

1980-1990 Honorary vice-consul of Guatemala to Marseilles, France.

1969-1974 Assistant Director of Restoration, Château de Veygoux, a XVIIth century castle in central France.

1949-1974 Born in Manhattan, educated in Colombia, Guatemala, England and France.

DISTINCTIONS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

* Inducted into Who's Who in America in 2003.

* Médaille du Tourisme, French national medal of merit (tourism), 1995.

* Grand Prix des Guides, Documents et Dépliants Touristiques, for the contents and design of the brochure he created for the Route Historique des Haut Lieux de Provence/Vins des Côtes de Provence, which was elected by the Ministry of Tourism and the association of French tourist offices, as the best tourist brochure in France, 1995.

* Qualité Var Accueil, State award for tourism, 1994.

* Diplôme d'honneur de l'Association des Vieilles Maisons Françaises, French Old Houses Association honorary diploma for outstanding service to the national architectural heritage, 1990.

* Label du Meilleur Accueil dans les Musées et Monuments Historiques, National recognition for exceptional public service in historical monuments and museums, 1988.

* Prix Marc de Beauvau-Craon, Historical Houses Association prize for restoration, 1984.

* Obélisque du Conseil de l'Europe, European Council's restoration award, 1980.

* Prix de la Fondation Américaine de La Demeure Historique, American Foundation prize for restoration, 1986.

* Prix des Chefs d'oeuvre en Péril, France's most coveted prize for restoration (château d'Entrecasteaux), 1977.

* Prix Vieilles Maisons Françaises, Old Houses Association prize for restoration (château de Veygoux), 1972.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
24 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Duncan Work
5.0 out of 5 stars A Worthwhile Obsession
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2015
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We are used to being pleasantly overwhelmed by movies and stories full of danger, daring exploits, love affairs, mysteries and passions, and stories of lives extremely different from our own. Less often do we get to spend many hours listening to such stories directly from the one who lived them all. Here, with this book, we get to do that.

I can’t imagine anyone not being fascinated and compelled to read all of it, and after reading it, wanting to ask: “How did you do this!??” “How did you go through so much - suffering, delight, passion, drama, relentless and brilliant work, betrayal, and redemption? How did you go through all of that and a) stay alive, and b) learn from the worst and take the best and c) create from all of it a deeply grounded life, full of insight, intelligence, love, and transcendence?

Somehow your life, I would say to the author, was a marvelous and intelligent filter, that kept you whole. Maybe also, you have really good and closely watching angels.
One person found this helpful
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Jean B. Gibson
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2017
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A very enjoyable read.
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robbins
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2016
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I thoroughly enjoyed “I had a chateau in Provence,” and found myself transformed from the Guatemalan countryside to the hardships of being thrown into boarding school in England to the restoration of a chateau in the South of France. Sometimes truth is harder to believe than fiction….this book is riveting and hard to put down. The author is able to bring the reader into his emotional world– from the sense of adventure to flying undetected into Guatemala when kidnapping his sister to the grounds of the chateau filled with music and art. The vulnerability in which he shares his life is both poignant and awe inspiring. Not only will this be a best seller, but a high drama movie. Bravo for a well crafted telling of an amazing life story.
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MAT, Austin Texas
5.0 out of 5 stars Life story of the Cycle of LIFE, Chateau in Provence
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2015
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I loved the (I HAD A CHATEAU IN PROVENCE.) and hated having to put it down many times to tend to business clients, my children, grand children and my new puppy's training & needs.
I could "SEE" what the author was saying, felt his emotions, smelled the cold fresh air of France & heard the birds churping.
As in a movie, rolling so lightly and smoothly with a life time story, so real, so unique & true, showing people as Real People are anywhere in the world
Reading this; has added so much to my soul. I am thankful for "Iain" making his life experience so available to enrich our own. Blessings from the center of the Universe, Austin TX
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Lisy Saavedra
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written!
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2018
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Ian takes you up close and personal in a way that you can feel yourself walking along side of him through his adventures. Written so beautifully that you are totally immersed in his experiences. The descriptions, whether it be in cheese or wine or settings, are both so full of texture that you can actually taste it. Once you start reading it is truly hard to put this book down.
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mountainmom
5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting, brilliant, movie-worthy read.
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2015
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Truth is stranger than fiction so they say. Amazingly so here. I couldn't put this book down. You don't have to be a franco-phile to appreciate the story, which is astounding, surreal, spooky and even humorous all at once. A fascinating journey through the dangerous jungles of Guatemalan royalty to the vineyards of Provence -- and lots of drama in between -- a must read.
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Donna Thomas Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2016
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I could feel myself inside the castle renovating it, feeling the history come alive. I couldn't wait to turn the page to read more. I enjoyed the way Iean painted the chapters with his words and I felt as though I lived there too.
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JRP
5.0 out of 5 stars the action was as good as any Hollywood plot---but it was all the true ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2015
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I couldn't put this book down. From the first page, the action was as good as any Hollywood plot---but it was all the true story of Iain McGarvie-Munn's life. An inspiration for all to take risks and follow your heart.
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Top reviews from other countries

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H E Joshi
4.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary tale
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 24, 2019
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This is a page-turning account of an unorthodox life, more authentic than might be believed.
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Dimitrov
3.0 out of 5 stars Un livre plaisant à lire mais qui nécessiterait bon nombre de mises au point
Reviewed in France on October 29, 2017
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Habitant Entrecasteaux depuis dix ans, j’ai voulu en savoir plus sur la personne qui a contribué d’une façon décisive à la restauration et à l’animation culturelle du château d’Entrecasteaux. Sans aller jusqu’à partager l’appréciation formulée par un certain Gail Eisnitz en quatrième de couverture qui qualifie cet ouvrage de « page-turner », j’en ai trouvé la lecture agréable et le récit autobiographique passionnant en raison du parcours tout à fait exceptionnel de l’auteur qui a vécu successivement aux Etats-Unis, en Angleterre, à Belize, en Colombie, au Guatemala, de nouveau en Angleterre , en France à Paris, puis en Auvergne et enfin à Entrecasteaux, pour s’installer in fine en Californie. Les chapitres qui traitent de son séjour d’une durée de 20 ans au Château d’Entrecasteaux sont particulièrement intéressants étant donné les difficultés et les aléas de tous ordres auxquels il a dû faire face pour réaliser le projet qu’il avait conçu avec son père. J’ai cependant été gêné par deux choses. La première est que le dramatique événement que constitue l’assassinat de son épouse par le marquis d’Entrecasteaux en 1794 joue un rôle important dans le déroulé du livre puisque c’est notamment le sujet du prologue qui est une reconstitution romancée de ce drame supposé se dérouler au château d’Entrecasteaux. Or, et c’est là le hic, le drame s’est déroulé dans l’hôtel d’Entrecasteaux qui se trouve cours Mirabeau à Aix-en-Provence ! Il est par ailleurs peu crédible que le fait que cet assassinat se serait déroulé dans le château d’Entrecasteaux lui aurait été appris par le maire d’Entrecasteaux en personne lors de leur première rencontre au cours d’un dîner décrit page 39 et suivantes. La deuxième chose qui m’a gênée, est que les quelques citations ou partie de dialogues écrites en français sont truffées de fautes d’orthographe ce qui est surprenant venant d’un écrivain qui a vécu plus de 25 ans en France et qui connaît suffisamment de personnes maîtrisant le français auxquelles il aurait pu soumettre son manuscrit. Parmi les perles les plus remarquables que j’ai relevées, figurent : « Le Château serrât il vendu ? » qui aurait été le titre d’un article de Var Matin, « St Hectaire » pour désigner un fromage d’Auvergne (ce n’est pas une faute de frappe car on trouve à deux endroits différents), « Côtes de Provence Crû Classée », etc. Il y a même une grossière faute d’anglais avec l’emploi, par trois fois, de « decease » qui signifie « décès » en lieu et place de « disease » qui veut dire « maladie » ! Parmi d’autres erreurs purement factuelles, on trouve l’expression « the French General Clemenceau », Tegucigalpa qui est supposé se situer au Costa Rica alors que c’est la capitale du Honduras et l’affirmation que la Médaille du Mérite National a été remplacée par des médailles spécifiques aux différents départements ministériels. En dépit de ces quelques réserves, j’estime que cet ouvrage mérite d’être lu par ceux qui s’intéressent aux efforts de réhabilitation du patrimoine et, accessoirement, à la perception qu’ont certains anglo-saxons du mode de vie dans les petites villes de la province française. Cerise sur la gâteau, en tout cas pour les amateurs du genre, l’auteur ne nous cache rien sur sa vie sentimentale ni, sans doute effet de mode, sur sa vie sexuelle. Elles sont assez peu communes car, après avoir été l’amant de la compagne française de son père, il s’est marié après le décès de celui-ci avec la dernière compagne allemande de son père, avant d’épouser une photographe américaine venue exposer dans le château.
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Maria
2.0 out of 5 stars An uncomfortable after taste
Reviewed in France on September 27, 2015
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When I came across this book, I was very interested in reading it because I had visited Entrecasteaux castle many times between 1975 and 1985 and had admired the restoration of the castle by the author's father: Mr. Ian Munn and not Mr. Hugh Munn as he is portrayed in this book.
During my numerous visits I remember Mr. Munn either sitting at his table drawing out plans of work that was to be accomplished or supervising his workers or selling tickets to visitors. On one occasion he had just completed work on a very large marble bathroom and he was so pleased with the outcome of his design that he showed it to us personally, on another visit he invited us for drinks and we talked among various subjects about the war, he struck me as someone disgusted with violence and I find it hard to believe that such a man could have ever struck his son. I also remember meeting his daughter who worked and organized concerts at the castle after her father’s death, but I have no recollection of having met the author.
Although the book is full of interesting anecdotes one is left with an uncomfortable after taste that not only does Mr. Iain McGarvie-Munn wish to take full credit for his father's work, but he is also blaming his father for his own reprehensible behavior !
Alistair McK.
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P&P
3.0 out of 5 stars Bravo Lachie !!
Reviewed in France on September 28, 2015
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Un chateau merveilleux, une histoire très prenante,une jeunesse émouvante et bien racontée.Un jeune homme qui a eu le courage de s'arracher aux sortilèges familiaux et de partir vivre sa vie après avoir contribué à sauver ce splendide chateau qui portera pour toujours l'empreinte de la famille Mc Garvie Munn au complet.Encore bravo cher Lachie d'éclairer, sous un jour nouveau, des situations vécues ensemble de 1974 à 1981, puis en pointillé de 1981 à 1992, qui nous permettent de mieux comprendre à quel point ton comportement a été celui d'un noble coeur.XXXX P+P
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