Rifkind, Carole — A Field Guide to American Architecture

New York, New York, New American Library, 1980. Softcover. Black pictorial wraps with color illustration and tan lettering; xi, 322 pp.; 450+ bw photos and illustrations. Identifies American styles for homes, churches, public, and commercial buildings, and includes drawings, floor plans, and cross sections. A Field Guide to American Architecture traces the fascinating development of architectural styles in the United States, from the simple wood houses of the seventheeth century to the steel and glasss towers of our own day. This invaluable handbook describes the historical background, construction materials, and basic strudture and styles (Colonial, Federal, Victorian, Greek Revival, Romanesque, to name just a few). This book is divided first by building function (residential, commercial, etc.) and then by specific architectural period. Technical terms are clearly defined throughout a text illustrated with examples from a unique and ongoing series of drawings of historic buildings, which was begun in the 1930s as part of a WPA project. With these aids, the reader should be able to identify virtually any American structure within its period, as well as any additions that ma yhave a been made to it in subsequent periods.--from back cover. Divided into four parts: Residential, Ecclesiastical, Civic and Commerical, and Utilitarian. VG- (Light wear to extremities) .