A Field Guide to American Houses
The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America's Domestic Architecture
What's it about
Ever wondered what stories the houses on your street could tell? Unlock the secrets behind every porch, window, and roofline. This guide gives you the power to look at any American home, from a grand Victorian to a humble bungalow, and instantly understand its history and style. You'll learn to spot the key features that define different architectural eras, like the decorative trim of a Queen Anne or the clean lines of a Mid-century Modern. Discover how to identify specific house types, understand their evolution, and finally put a name to the styles you see every day.
Meet the author
Virginia Savage McAlester was an architectural historian whose seminal work, A Field Guide to American Houses, single-handedly taught generations of Americans how to understand their built environment. A passionate historic preservationist from Dallas, she combined rigorous academic research with a clear, accessible visual language. This unique approach grew from her own efforts to save her neighborhood, empowering everyday people to see the history and beauty in the houses all around them, transforming the way we look at our own homes.
What's it about
Ever wondered what stories the houses on your street could tell? Unlock the secrets behind every porch, window, and roofline. This guide gives you the power to look at any American home, from a grand Victorian to a humble bungalow, and instantly understand its history and style. You'll learn to spot the key features that define different architectural eras, like the decorative trim of a Queen Anne or the clean lines of a Mid-century Modern. Discover how to identify specific house types, understand their evolution, and finally put a name to the styles you see every day.
Meet the author
Virginia Savage McAlester was an architectural historian whose seminal work, A Field Guide to American Houses, single-handedly taught generations of Americans how to understand their built environment. A passionate historic preservationist from Dallas, she combined rigorous academic research with a clear, accessible visual language. This unique approach grew from her own efforts to save her neighborhood, empowering everyday people to see the history and beauty in the houses all around them, transforming the way we look at our own homes.
The Script
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