Concise History of American Architecture

by Leland M. Roth

"A good, solid work which deserves to become a standard text." --Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians
"The fresh approach and fluent style give the book a welcome new slant on the subject." --Library Journal

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1979

Reviews

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and thorough work on the history, philosophy, psychology and physics of American building practices. Contains brilliant insights on the national psyche, the adaptation of traditional styles to locally-available materials, aesthetics and formalism and, in the latter third, a generous helping of urban planning and social theory. Not all books make you better read, this one does.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent review of America's architectural history to date (at the time of writing, into the late 70s). As concise as such a broad study can be, and rarely dry. Roth offers edifying insight into society, and the various forces that shaped and were shaped by architecture, at the corresponding times.

[Charles Callihan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and easy(ish) read but there seemed to be a little more focus on the background of architects over buildings.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an ok review of the history of American architecture, but it skips over a lot too. I would recommend this supplemented with other American Architecture books.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly good for what it is, but can tend toward the dry.