The Abrams Guide to American House Styles - Hardcover

William Morgan; Radek Kurzaj; Ned Pratt

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810949431 ISBN 13: 9780810949430

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, 2004

Synopsis

What are the unique characteristics that make a house Colonial or Craftsman, Modern or Deco, or any of the other approximately 20 styles of domestic architecture common in the United States? At a time of near-obsessive attention to home design and renovation, this compact, easily accessible guide-the only book of its kind with all color photography-makes the identification of house styles a breeze. Each style is described by author William Morgan, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated architectural historian, in a short historical summary, alongside a list of its distinguishing features. Multiple examples of each house style are provided-the book includes 350 houses from more than 40 states-so the reader can see the region-specific variations. Complementing the beautiful color photographs is a selection of line drawings highlighting each style's key attributes.

Both at the desk and in the field, for a wide audience of discerning house hunters, homeowners, and realtors; architects, builders, and students; and the ever-increasing public with a seemingly insatiable curiosity about residential design, this elegant, informative, portable volume will be an invaluable resource for years to come. AUTHOR BIO: William Morgan has taught at Princeton University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Louisville. His articles have appeared in numerous publications, and he is the author of Abrams' American Country Churches. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island. Radek Kurzaj is a travel and architecture photographer based in Sczecin, Poland, and New York City. His books include Abrams' Living Large in Small Spaces, American Country Churches, and Treehouses of the World.

About this title

About the Author

William Morgan has taught at Princeton University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Louisville. His articles have appeared in numerous publications, and he is the author of Abrams' American Country Churches. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island. Radek Kurzaj is a travel and architecture photographer based in Sczecin, Poland, and New York City. His books include Abrams' Living Large in Small Spaces, American Country Churches, and Treehouses of the World.

Reviews

Morgan presents a sort of dummy’s guide to American architecture, dressed up in a pretty hardcover with copious color photographs and minimal, elegant descriptions. Househunters, homeowners, realtors—or anyone simply interested in what distinguishes a Victorian from a Colonial, what the difference is between Georgian and Greek Revival, or which empire inspired the Second Empire style—will love this book. Morgan aims "to simplify—in text, image and graphic presentation—what has become a complex subject to understand," and his book largely succeeds. In 15 color-coded chapters, Morgan, whose writings on architecture have appeared in The Boston Globe, The New York Times, Smithsonian and other publications, demystifies American house styles, giving a two-page overview for each, photographic examples from around the country and notes on the style’s defining characteristics. With its clear prose, comprehensive scope and excellent photos, this book will be a useful resource for all who care about American design.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0810949431
• ISBN 13: 9780810949430
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 424
• Editor: Richard Olsen