American Architecture ─ A History

American Architecture introduces the reader to the major developments that shaped the American-built environment from before the Europeans to the present, from the everyday vernacular to the high style of aspiration. Leland M. Roth describes the impact of changes in conceptual imagery, style, building technology, landscape design, and town-planning theory throughout the nation’s history. Based on his acclaimed and influential Concise History of American Architecture (1980), this new book is double the length with twice as many illustrations, featuring expanded coverage of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, regional styles, and contemporary buildings and architects. The author charts the social, cultural, and political forces that shaped the growth and development of American towns, cities, and suburbs. In ten chapters with 612 illustrations, he provides a full, reliable, and up-to-date description, analysis, and interpretation of American buildings and their architects. The illustrations are integrated into the text and consist of photographs, drawings, plans, and maps. Well-written and comprehensive, American Architecture is invaluable as guide, study, and reference.

Leland M. Roth is Marion Dean Ross Professor of Architectural History at the University of Oregon at Eugene. He is the author of American Architecture: A History; A Concise History of American Architecture; McKim, Mead & White, Architects; and other works. He lives in Eugene, Oregon.