Greek Revival Architecture in America

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Profile of Greek Revival Architecture
Review: If you have ever been curious about Greek design elements in American architecture, particularly early American architecture, this is *the* book for you. It has an articulate forward by Leopold Arnaud, then dean of Columbia University's architectural school, and a number of b/w photo examples as well as floor plan models. The chapters cover the background of the Greek Revival, including its impact on post-colonial architecture and Jeffersonian architecture, its role as America's first true style, its role in maturing American architecture, its presence in cities like Philadelphia, Boston, and New York, its presence in regions like New England, the South, the Gulf Coast, and the Pacific Northwest. The book also explores the reasons why the Greek Revival fell out of fashion and has two appendices discussing additional styles inspired by the Greek Revival and some relevant articles published about the Greek Revival prior to 1851. Please be advised that while this book is highly comprehensive, its focus is on the first half of the 19th century and architecture's changing shape during the Civil War is therefore not discussed. The photos, ornaments, illustrations and figures are too profuse to count. Though they are all in black and white, you are certainly getting a good value by the sheer number of photos alone. If you are at all interested in architecture pertaining to Classicism, Neoclassicm, Early Americana, and certainly, the Greek Revival, this book is a must have.