G. E. Kidder Smith

"This illustrated survey of 500 of America's most distinguished buildings provides a unique overview of the thousand-year architectural development of the United States. It examines our nation's architecture from its earliest days to the present, ranging from cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde to Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House in Chicago to James Ingo Freed's Holocaust Museum in Washington. Indispensable in any library, it also serves as a general introduction to American architecture or as a splendid guide for tourists. Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET.

In more than 50 years of architectural endeavors, the author photographed and researched most of the world's notable buildings for his books, exhibitions, and lectures. Here he focuses on 80 remarkable architectural achievements: classics like the Pyramids, the Parthenon, . and the Taj Mahal, but also lesser-known places--like the Abbey of Pomposa in Italy, the Turkish Mosque in Djerba, Tunisia, the Whipple House in Ipswich, Massachusetts--which have spoken as eloquently to him. Both the grand monuments and the little gems are vivified by Kidder Smith's inquisitive camera. Each photograph is paired with a text to stimulate appreciation of the art of architecture. While imparting much valuable information, the text more importantly aims to capture the spirit of a place, as Kidder Smith discusses the history, highlights what is significant, reveals his own enthusiasms, and suggests paths for further thought.--From publisher description.

New York, Reinhold

Bibliography:p.267-70.