American Victorian Architecture

First off, the title is misleading. This book covers buildings ranging from the U.S. Capitol and Cornelius Vanderbilt residence, to the Moorish influenced Temple Emanu-El. Not to worry though. There is, indeed, a fine collection of Victorian residences, mansions all, along with some interior shots. But you'll also find a great many churches, commercial buildings, and row houses. The old black and white photography is mostly superb and razor-sharp, filled with exquisite detail. Only a few of the interior shots disappoint. The author's introduction, a treatise on the evolution of American architecture, and how it influenced and was influenced by European architecture, is worth the cover price all by itself. Despite the unexpectedly broad-brush approach here, this book is an absolute gem. I highly recommend this to architecture aficionados, especially but not exclusively the Victorian fans. If you're renovating an older house, or building in an older style, this will provide you with a wealth of ideas.