Barns of Wisconsin [Paperback]

Jerry Apps (Author), Allen Strong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2001

In this revised edition of an award-winning work, Jerry Apps provides an informative and moving account of Wisconsin's most hand-working structures -- its barns. Symbols of optimism, pride, and practicality, barns are as diverse as the people who built them. Here Apps describes the exquisite craftmanship with which Finns, Norweigans, Germans and other immigrant groups built their pioneer barns. We learn, too, how round and octagonal barns developed, and why cupolas and lightning rods were used, and how some of Wisconsin's barns became covered with colorful murals and billboards. Allen Strang's meticulous pencil sketches and eight stunning watercolors illustrate the text. Unfortunately, our barns are fast disappearing, victims of urban development and the trend toward large-scale farming. In a new chapter, Apps describes the nationwide movement to save these historic structures, and tells us how some owners have converted barns to innovative new uses. In so doing, he offers both inspiration and practical advice to anyone who believes these magnificent buildings should continue to stand proudly in the Wisconsin landscape.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Barns should be read by every farm buff in the country, as well as those who do not yet qualify. -- Richard Perrin, Wisconsin Academy Reivew

This book is for barn buffs -- a delightful way to learn about barns in the comfort of an armchair. -- Prairie Farmer

This excellent pictorial history focuses on barns as the center and symbol of pre-World War II Midwestern farming. -- American Library Association

About the Author

Jerry Apps was raised on a central Wisconsin farm, where he spent many hours working in a barn. Currently, he is professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, devoting most of his time to writing about rural American, particularly the northern Midwest. He farms part time in Waushara County is the author of countless books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Wisconsin Trails; Rev Sub edition (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915024489
• ISBN-13: 978-0915024483
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,562,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top pick for anyone else fascinated by these monuments to agriculture, August 12, 2010

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barns of Wisconsin (Revised Edition) (Places Along the Way) (Hardcover)

Barns have become more than functional buildings, they've become symbols of pride. "Barns of Wisconsin" delves into the history and style of Wisconsin's barns that have been built through the centuries and the reverence they have gained from barn aficionados. With plenty of black and white and full color photography, Jerry and Steve Apps give a fine history of brand and other things, making "Barns of Wisconsin" a top pick for anyone else fascinated by these monuments to agriculture.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete Book of Wisconsin Barns, January 2, 2011

By 

Suzanne83 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Barns of Wisconsin (Revised Edition) (Places Along the Way) (Hardcover)

I gave this book to my father for Christmas. Barns/Hobby Farming is one of his passions, and he loved the book. He had already seen/heard about many of the barns covered in the book, and was really pleased with the literature and the photos. I recommend it to anyone interested in barns.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Barn Lovers Book, April 13, 2011

By 

L. MCCOMBIE (HUDSON, WI, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Barns of Wisconsin (Paperback)

Excellant book for all barn lovers. While Mr. Apps has an updated version of this book, I wanted to read the original. As a fan of author, Jerry Apps, I have also purchased his "Farming with Horses", which brought back many memories of growing up on a farm.