A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Piedmont North Carolina

I've enjoyed this book ever since I bought it hot off the presses back in 2003. Its coverage is absolutely exhaustive. The entries are long enough to be truly informative, but short enough to keep your attention from wandering. There are many effective small black & white photographs that make for hours of casual browsing. A word of warning on this point, however: The book is not intended to be a picture book, but is a reference work. Don't buy this one for your coffee table. The author includes an introductory essay about the development of architecture throughout the region, and then tears loose on the catalog of buildings; a wonderland of dates, styles, functions and locations. This book, along with its companion volumes for eastern and western North Carolina, does justice to a beautiful state, rich in historic sites. A must for all architectural historians, preservationists and serious enthusiasts. They don't get any better.

I am a documentary photographer, specializing in endangered historic buildings. Having explored New England for a number of years, I am in the process of moving to Charlotte, NC. This book will be the starting point for my work in the south. It is well organized, with sites listed by counties and there are clear maps. The book is detailed, with a good basic history of the area at the beginning. A particularly nice feature is the notation as to whether a site is private, open to the public or may just be viewed from the highway. I also own the Guide to the Historic Architecture of Western North Carolina and find it equally valuable.