American Theaters: Performance Halls of the Nineteenth Century [Hardcover]

David Naylor (Author), Joan Dillon (Author), Julie Harris (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2006

American stage theaters are as diverse as the performances staged in them. Marvels of survival and revival, these robust structures are the special places where live performers and audience are suspended in a timeless aura of mystery, myth, and magic. Celebrate the history of theaters from the nineteenth century to present, with beautifully illustrated profiles of 40 of the finest still in operation around the United States. Leading us backstage and onstage, from lobby to loge, this book embraces the full spectrum of theater types and styles. David Naylor's breathtaking original photographs include stunning examples of early Eastern town hall opera houses, Midwest venues, and boomtown opera houses. They capture in splendid detail unique designs and character of revival halls and Chautauquas, simple community halls and library theaters, and ambitious Victorian playhouses, grand opera houses, and concert halls. Supplemented with state-by-state and chronological listings of over 200 more surviving nineteenth-century theaters, this book will surprise even the most dedicated theater buff with discoveries as well as old favorites.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This beautifully-photographed book offers the complete history of American theaters, highlighting the 40 best theaters in America, from small-town halls, to elaborate performance houses. 190 black and white photographs; and two, 8-page, full-color inserts with 47 original color photographs enhance this one-of-a-kind history of American theater. A beautiful gift book, this loving tribute to the theatres of the 19th century will be valued for its story and its brilliant photographs. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing; 2 Revised edition (October 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764324918
• ISBN-13: 978-0764324918
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #993,345 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, August 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Democracy's Discontent: America in Search of a Public Philosophy (Hardcover)

I found this book to be an interesting exploration of the evolution of American political values. Sandel argues that, over time, American political values have moved away from the political philosophy embedded in the Constitution. To illustrate his thesis, Sandel uses legal instances sucha as laws and legal judgements. This book was written by a lawyer, not a political scientist, so the methodology is different than in many books of a similar nature. It's prose is well written and accessable, without being over simplified. Overall, I found it to be interesting and informative.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alternative history of America's public philosophy, January 9, 2008

By 

Bradley M. Allan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Democracy's Discontent: America in Search of a Public Philosophy (Hardcover)

In "Democracy's Discotent," the brilliant political philosopher Michael Sandel provides an overview of American legal history, jurisprudence, visions of citizenship, and economic policymaking through the lens of civic republicanism.

In fact, Sandel argues, civic republicanism represents much more than a mere strand among many woven into the philosophical fabric of America's founding and perpetuation: civic republican traditions (like cultivating the virtue of citizens, seeking economic justice, and making substantive judgments on controversial moral and political issues) are at the *heart* of our republic, and were prominently so until only very recently.

Sandel traces the emergence of liberalism as the dominant American public philosophy to a cluster of recent Supreme Court decisions and market-based economic policies. In explaining how liberalism has come to define and dominate the terms of the debate in articulating an American public philosophy, Sandel is cogent and persuasive. His brand of civic republicanism is as insightful as his criticisms of Rawlsian liberalism in "Liberalism and the Limits of Justice" but with greater so-called "real world" applicability.

Sandel is a public intellectual of the first order and this is a fine book of American legal, economic, and philosophical history. Highly recommended for students of political science.

Other terrific books about the American founding and civic republicanism: "The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787" by Gordon Wood and "The Machiavellian Moment: Florentine Political Thought and the Atlantic Republican Tradition" by J.G.A. Pocock.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive intro to 19th century American theaters, September 30, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: American Theaters: Performance Halls of the Nineteenth Century (Preservation Press Series) (Hardcover)

Well-written. Over 300 photos of historic American theaters located in all but six US states (with 18 pages in color). Buildings featured include town hall theaters, Western boom-town opera houses, library theaters, Chautauqua halls, and Grand Opera Houses. Readers will be surprised by the variety and beauty of many theaters in remote areas.