Roots of Contemporary American Architecture: A Series of Thirty Seven Essays Dating from the Mid-Nineteenth Century to the Present

by Lewis Mumford (Editor)

The evolution of the American tradition in architecture is related to domestic elements and to forces originating outside the United States

Genres: Architecture

Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Lewis Mumford (October 19, 1895 – January 26, 1990) was an American historian and philosopher of technology and science. Particularly noted for his study of cities and urban architecture, he had a tremendously broad career as a writer that also included a period as an influential literary critic. Mumford was influenced by the work of Scottish theorist Sir Patrick Geddes.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains Frank Lloyd Wright’s essay on the Badlands

[Czarny Pies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an absolutely delightful book for any American living in or near to a city with a good sample of buildings remaining from the period between 1880 and 1950.

This book contains essays from Frank Lloyd White, H.H. Richardson, Lewis Sullivan, McKim, Jenney, Olmstead and many other of the leading architects of the period. To be a successful architect, one must above all be a great salesman able to convince selection committees of the merits of one's plans. The architects represented in this book were all very eloquent spokespersons for their work. All together this volume provides 37 highly articulate and very readable essays on Architecture in America.

Read this book. Your ramblings through your home town will be forever enhanced.