Reference Reviews

Lawrence Looks at Books

The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Homes through American History, edited by Thomas W. Pardis. 4 vols. 1,731p. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2008. 978-0-313-33496-2; 2008-2946. $399.95.

Histories of architecture tend to focus on public buildings. Governmental, religious and commercial structures have generally required greater capital to complete and thus have attracted more attention, effort and innovations from both builders and designers. As such, public architecture frequently showcases new ideas and defines new styles and movements. Domestic architecture being more modest in scale, traditional in style, and economical in its construction techniques tends to be more conservative. Nonetheless, homes frequently reflect changing ideas, technologies and lifestyles. This is especially true in the United States, which has been a relatively prosperous country for most its existence. An expanding population, urbanization, the growth of suburbs, a large middle class, and a willingness to embrace new technologies has helped build an American tradition of innovation in domestic living. The result has been a wide variety of architectural styles in the United States, frequently adapted to local conditions but employing the latest ideas in building.

That rich heritage is reflected in this new overview of American domestic architecture. For this survey, the editors divide American history into 10 stylistic periods of 20 to 40 years. The sole exception is the lengthy colonial period which ranges from the subsistence existence of Native Americans and early European settlers to the burgeoning port towns and plantation life in the pre-Revolutionary colonies. Each of the separately edited period sections include an essay introducing the historical contexts affecting housing and living conditions. From colonial Georgian to modern Neo-eclecticism, the development of new architectural styles is traced. The effect of available natural resources and technologies on construction techniques and materials is explained. From detached kitchens and outhouses to front porches and bathrooms, the evolution of home layout and design is explored. Also described is the growing consumerism reflected in wallpapers, light fixtures, appliances, televisions and other home furnishings and decoration. Equally important are developments in the use of secondary structures and landscape settings. Coverage includes stand alone homes as well as urban tenements and high-rise apartment buildings. Each section also contains a brief timeline, glossary and extensive resource guide specific to the period. The latter vary in arrangement but generally include research collections, museums, web sites and films in addition to printed sources. Numerous sidebars and illustrations, full color as well as black and white, highlight particular styles and fashions. The result is an informative guide that will serve public and academic library collections.
—John R.M. Lawrence