Plantations of the Carolina Low Country, by Samuel Gaillard Stoney. 247 Pages. Softbound. More than 50 years ago, a group of concerned South Carolinians joined forces to preserve a significant yet rapidly disappearing part of their cultural past. This classic photo-and-text survey is the culmination of their efforts. It provides readers with a carefully documented account of architectural styles that span nearly 200 years of Southern history and focuses on 55 beautiful buildings built between 1686 and 1878 along the South Carolina coastal plain. More than 140 detailed photos of exteriors and interiors and over 50 floor plans, elevations and other illustrations provide rare glimpses of these once-elegant structures. In addition to the intriguing text outlining the history of each building, readers are given a fascinating and authoritative introduction to the region and its architectural heritage. $28.95 (BK-1027)