“The Castles of King Ludwig II,” Ernest Wrba & Michael Kühler

“The Castles of King Ludwig II,” Ernest Wrba & Michael Kühler, Stürtz, 2008, Verlagshaus Würzburg GmbH & Co, Leipzig, Germany

This is a hardcover book about his castles, under a series “Castles & Palaces.” As per title, this book focuses on his castles and has many photographs in the book, from small images to full two page spreads. The photographs and images are beautiful of himself and his castles. There is background/ history of the castles and the relation to Ludwig and even Richard Wagner – more between him and Ludwig. At the back there is a map showing where the castles and other locations are situated. The photos tell of their history, what they mean, and/or what they are made of. Instead of a textbook telling you what they look like and you having to image it from the text, this book gives you a blast of images to look at when going from Neuschwanstein to Linderhof to Herrenchiemsee. You see the detail he wanted in his castles and what was put in, how they fit into the landscape – more Neuschwanstein then the others. This book is not only for those who love Ludwig but have an interest or love for castles and how these castles are put together and loved and awed by many.