The Visual Dictionary of American Domestic Architecture

This is particularly useful for learning what certain individual archetectural elements are called. The only other book I like more than this one is "Field Guide To American Houses". This book is still excellent, though, and is a great companion to the aforementioned.

Not a bad book on U.S. architecture - the best part is the focus on details which can give the viewer visual clues as to the probable history and or origin of a house long after the structure may have been remodelled. The focus on vernacular architecture is also apprecieated as there are more small family homes on a budget in this country than there are big ostentatious mansions built by people with more money then sense and or taste.

Although the illustrations in this book are not as beautiful as the ones in Lester Walker's "American Homes", this book is very ambitious in its presentations. Many field guides to American homes concentrate solely on identifying a style. Usually, there are only a few brief descriptions of the architectural details that help define a style. What makes "The Visual Diction of American Domestic Architecture" such a pleasure is the sheer ambition of its coverage. Not only are there detailed descriptions of building exteriors, there are also detailed desciptions of interior features. As an example, not many field guides detail interior framing plans or such important features like staircases and fireplaces. If that were not enough, there are also some representative floor plans. I have been collecting field guides for a number of years and this is one of the best. If you want to go beyond picking out key features of a distinct architectural style and want to delve deeper into building details, this is the book for you. Highly recommended.

I guess it isn't an easy thing to compose an illustrative guide on such complicated and multilayered portion of Architecture as American domestic styles, but all are included here: easily recognizable types, details, even construction methods! Special thanks to the Illustrator: the pictures are neither "overillustrated" nor of too "academic" appearance - just restrained professional still artistic graphic. As an international Architect often working for an American architectural firm I will surely make use of it.

Not comprehensive enough in scope to be a true dictionary of architectural style, but certainly provides the visual images necessary to recognize the styles. Included floor plans also demonstrate the various modes. Good survey of vernacular styles, often overlooked in other texts.