American architecture : a history /

This second edition of American Architecture has a great deal more to offer than did the original publication (CH, Jun'02, 39-5618). The original author, Leland Roth (emer., Univ. of Oregon, Eugene), is here joined by his daughter, Amanda Roth Clark (Whitworth Univ.). They have completely rewritten the original to reflect an additional 15 years of teaching, research, and scholarship. The authors added new subject matter, included dozens of new footnotes, extended bibliographies for all chapters, almost doubled the glossary of architectural terms, and did a natty redesign of the table of contents. In addition, the illustrations--including dozens of new and improved black-and-white pictures and 62 color plates that are grouped at the front of the book--are clearer, richer, more impressive, and much more inclusive of neighboring landscapes of historic buildings. A whole new chapter covers American architecture of the 21st century, addressing historic preservation, sustainable design, green architecture, LEED certification, post-9/11 skyscraper design, and the notion of global "starchitecture" signaled by American architect Frank Gehry. This reviewer's only criticism has to do with the physical book: it is smaller in dimension and heavier than the original, and the 9.5 Goudy Old Style font is difficult to read and required some squinting. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers. --Peter Samuel Kaufman, Boston Architectural College