American Colonial: Puritan Simplicity to Georgian Grace
Readers of the magazine Antiques will be delighted with this exploration of restored colonial houses, shops, and gardens of the U.S. East Coast by editor in chief Garrett and senior photographer Rocheleau. From Maine to North Carolina, a style of architecture developed that became known as typically American. In fact, it was a predominantly English vernacular type characteristic of the 17th and 18th centuries?although several other countries were contributors as well (for example, the author discusses Ephrata Cloister, a German settlement in southeastern Pennsylvania). Many of the structures illustrated?Van Cortlandt Manor, Mount Vernon, Winterthur, and the buildings of Williamsburg, Virginia?are frequently cited in art history texts, but a few of the examples are less common. The book is beautiful, well illustrated, well written, and informative but, maddeningly, it lacks an index. Nonetheless, it will be useful for libraries with strong art, architecture, or travel collections.?Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.