Unlock the secrets of American architectural heritage with the definitive resource for understanding residential styles across the nation. Navigating the diverse landscape of American homes can be an enlightening journey, and there’s no better companion than a comprehensive Field Guide To American Houses. This essential tool transforms casual observers into informed enthusiasts, empowering you to identify saltboxes, Dutch colonials, brownstones, and countless other styles that shape our neighborhoods.
Experts and publications alike herald this guide as the key to deciphering the built environment. The New York Times Magazine proclaims it “the most authoritative dictionary of the language spoken by the built environment,” emphasizing its value for both curious individuals and seasoned professionals. Whether you’re a homeowner contemplating window styles or a preservationist studying urban spaces, this field guide to american houses offers unparalleled insights. It elevates everyday building design, turning each street into a captivating narrative of urban evolution, demanding our close and appreciative attention.
The New York Times further acclaims it as “Magisterial,” highlighting its illustrated exploration into the very essence of why American houses – from grand estates to humble dwellings – look as they do. Entertainment Weekly echoes this sentiment, noting that “once you’ve pored through” this photo-rich bible of American home design, “you’ll be able to identify” a vast array of styles and “understand the historical significance of each one.” For those keen on architectural spotting, Elle Décor declares it “the go-to resource,” while The Wall Street Journal aptly summarizes its scope as chronicling “the past 400 years of American styles, from wigwam to mobile to modern.”
This field guide to american houses isn’t just informative; it’s a recognized classic. House Beautiful deems it simply “A classic,” and The Denver Post praises its encyclopedic nature, making it a “rich trove of not just details, but reasons for them” for historic home aficionados. D Magazine succinctly calls it “880 pages of scholarly wonder,” and The Columbus Dispatch confidently asserts it as “the definitive guide to American housing styles.” Booklist, in a starred review, hails it as “Outstanding . . . Expanded and completely revised,” assuring that “both scholars and average readers will find much to enjoy in this volume.”
With this field guide to american houses in hand, you gain not just knowledge, but a deeper appreciation for the stories embedded within the walls and facades of American homes, transforming every street into a living museum of architectural history.
