Moving away from the standard survey that takes readers from architect to architect and style to style; Building the Nation: Americans Write About Their Architecture; Their Cities; and Their Landscape suggests a wholly new way of thinking about the history of Americas built environment and how Americans have related to it.Through an enormous range of American voices; some famous and some obscure; and across more than two centuries of history; this anthology shows that the struggle to imagine what kinds of buildings and land use would best suit the nation pervaded all classes of Americans and was not the purview only of architects and designers. Some of the nations finest writers; including Mark Twain; W. E. B. Du Bois; Henry James; Edith Wharton; Lewis Mumford; E. B. White; and John McPhee; are here; contemplating the American way of building. Equally important are those eloquent but little-known voices found in American newspapers and magazines which insistently wondered what American architecture and environmental planning should look like.Building the Nation also insists that American architecture can be understood only as both a result of and a force in shaping American social; cultural; and political developments. In so doing; this anthology demonstrates how central the built environment has been to our definition of what it is to be American and reveals seven central themes that have repeatedly animated American writers over the course of the past two centuries: the relationship of American architecture to European architecture; the nations diverse regions; the place and shape of nature in American life; the design of cities; the explosion of the suburbs; the power of architecture to reform individuals; and the role of tradition in a nation dedicated to being perennially young.
#3892870 in eBooks 2013-06-27 2013-06-27File Name: B01AM4KD3C
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This is a great book; packed with information and ideasBy Mme CruzThis is a great book; packed with information and ideas. I think it would be perfect for someone whos on the fence about witchcraft and magic; or someone just starting off. This is the first book Ive read by Scott Cunningham and I now understand why hes so popular.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I found this book to be a good read; full of practical uses for things in ...By Jamee McClainI found this book to be a good read; full of practical uses for things in our home; easy to follow spells and informative history lessons. I am looking forward to working with a bunch of the spells written this this book; especially ones that protect my home from negative energy and entities; the use of symbols; mirrors; witches salt; etc. Scott Cunningham has written many useful; well written books on a variety of topics; many of which I own and plan on purchasing. This book is a must for witches just starting out on their magickal path. You wont be disappointed.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Houses of GraceBy Janice VincentThis book is interesting for its look into the historical foundations of household magick; and really households in general--the underlying grace of owning a house and being able to do anything with it to make it yours. If youve lost a house; as many of us have; this book might or might not be a catalyst in recovering from that loss: be aware that this is a book about living in grace in a fine place of your own design and making--and the pure energy that comes with it.
