What Americans Build and Why examines five areas of Americans built environment: houses; healthcare facilities; schools; workplaces; and shopping environments. Synthesizing information from both academic journals and the popular press; the book looks at the relationships of size and scale to the way Americans live their lives and how their way of life is fundamentally shaped by the highway system; cheap land; and incentives. This book is timely because although Americans say they crave community; they continue to construct buildings; such as McMansions and big box stores; that make creating community a challenge. Furthermore; in many ways the movement toward teleworking; discussed in the chapter on office environments; also challenges the traditional place-based formation of community. Although focused on the United States; the book also includes reference to other parts of the world; especially regarding the retail environment.
#436830 in eBooks 2012-10-02 2012-10-02File Name: B004XVN7ZM
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Makes me want to listen to the songs againBy Nancy Levine "Nancy"I liked this book a lot. It was fun to remember all of the old songs and it made me want to listen to them again. I also learned things I didnt know about Kenny Rogers--I liked reading the stories about his family and I especially liked reading about his friendship with Dolly Parton. It reminded me of me and some of my friends who are more like brothers and sisters. I enjoyed reading the story behind the Kenny Rogers Roasters episode of "Seinfeld." The photos were nice. too.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The man is all heartBy J.C.I loved reading about Kenny Rogers. He is genuine. has a conscience and a big heart. His stories are very entertaining and he puts his own spin on them showing that he also has a sense of humor. He writes about his humble beginnings in a poor family from Texas. his love for his mother Lucille and his devotion to his large family and his business partners.He has a unique voice and unique personality. Ive known about him since he was in his group THE FIRST EDITION many years ago. Hes changed his image throughout the years as well as his music. He has morphed into a person who is great at what he does no matter what the musical genre.I like the cover of his book showing the handsome Kenny with his long white hair. his white beard and mustache. I only saw him in person once. with the affable Gallagher and I loved his performance. He also excels as an actor in the Gambler series and manages to have the Midas touch in whatever he undertakes. He wears many hats.The book is a great read and if you loved Kenny rogers before reading it. you will love him more after reading it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. pretty goodBy john thomasThis is a pretty good biography for a few years from 1978 till about 1980 with the albums Love Or Something Like It. The Gambler and Kenny. He was my favorite singer. Most singers are lucky if they have one career song. He had Lucille. The Gambler Lady Islands In The Stream and more. He grew up poor and was not blessed with that good of a voice. But he was driven and had that It Factor. There is a picture of him in here standing in front of his Gold and Plantinum albums. Pretty impressive.
