Althorp: The History & Legacy of an Iconic English Country House | Perfect for History Buffs & Anglophiles" （注：原标题已为英文，故无需翻译。优化后增加了关键词如"History"、"Legacy"、"Iconic"以提升SEO，并补充使用场景说明，吸引目标读者群体。）

This book starts off with a incredible family tree. It shows that a John Spencer first rented Althorp in 1486! A Sir John Spencer bought Althorp in 1508. The first Spencer to be made Baron was Sir Robert in 1603. Then Henry, the 3rd Baron Spencer, was elevated to Earl of Sunderland in 1643. In 1765, another John Spencer was made the 1st Earl Spencer. Go ahead another eight generations, and you find the author of this book, Charles Edward Maurice, 9th Earl Spencer.He may be better known as the brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Diana is covered in this book with personal remembrances. But, also, a book on Althorp needs to include her gravesite and memorial to her at Althorp, which is open to the public two months a year.But there is so much more to Althorp, and Charles takes us on a personal journey of his remembrances and the house's history before him. There is a lot of humor in these stories. Such as when he remembers visiting his grandfather, the 7th Earl: "The food was always indescribably bad – the epitome of overcooked English ghastliness, which was acceptable in the 70s but wouldn't be countenanced even in a prison canteen today. I know my memory isn't playing tricks when I recall with a shudder that the vegetables were boiled onions. Yes, it was that grim."I much enjoyed his explanation of the name "Althorp" (an original structure was listed in the 1087 Domesday Book!) and its pronunciation. He has some lively ancestors and Althorp has had some great visitors. Charles also writes, "I have never seen a ghost", and then proceeds to tell about guests who have seen ghosts at Althorp.The only part of his stories that has a touch of bitterness is when he talks of his step-mother's "sale-a-thon" of Althorp treasures. And her poor taste in decorating. Contrast his photos of the Althorp library after her alterations, such as the impossibly busy carpet and dark green pillars, with his restoration of the room to it's original elegance and classical columns.To see more of Althorp, I recommend its installment in the