American Architecture: A History

by Leland M. Roth

In American Architecture, Leland Roth introduces the reader to the major developments that shaped the American-built environment from before the arrival of the Europeans to the present, from ceremonial enclosures and homes to Modernism and its discontents. There is extensive historical coverage of 17th and 18th century architecture and regional styles. On both the high style architecture of aspiration and the everyday vernacular architecture, Roth presents the historical impact of changes in conceptual imagery, style, building technology, landscape design, and town planning theory. He charts the gradual development of towns, cities, and suburbs along with the social, cultural, and political forces that shaped their growth.“Buildings, like politics, are based on the fine art of compromise, and every building represents a judicious balance between the conflicting needs and aspirations of the client, architect, and builder. Americans, especially, it would seem, have been caught between divergent needs and desires, between the impulse, on the one hand, to build pragmatically and efficiently, and the wish, on the other hand, to realize a conceptual ideal,” writes Roth. These ten chapters provide a full, reliable, and up-to-date description, analysis, and interpretation of American buildings and their architects. The 612 illustrations— consisting of photographs, drawings, plans and maps— are integrated throughout the text. Well-written and comprehensive, Roth’s American Architecture is invaluable as a guide, a study, and a reference.

Genres: History, Architecture, Urbanism

608 pages, Hardcover

First published December 18, 2001

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

We used this book in my graduate "Into to American Architectural History" course.

Pros: It does a good job of putting architecture into social, cultural, economic, and political context. It features lots of photos. It describes many facets of architecture, such as landscape architecture and company housing.

Cons: It is so very long and detailed. Some chapters are nearly one hundred pages long. For someone with zero previous architectural classwork or experience, it was often overwhelming and monotonous, and it featured much architectural theory that I felt it would require specialized knowledge to really understand, not just this book.

So, while this tome is certainly very thorough, I would not recommend it for an introductory architectural history class.

[Wilderness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leland was my Architecture history professor while in grad. school at University of Oregon. Obviously we used his texts for the course :) He's a great professor, great writer and sweet person. Plus, he wears a bow tie everyday!

[Cheery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very, very detailed writing. A bit overwhelming to be honest.

[Walida Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only text book I have read cover to cover and refer back to on a regular basis. Must have in your Architectural reference library.