Buffalo, Good Neighbors, Great Architecture (Making of America: New York) [Paperback]

Nancy Blumenstalk Mingus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 6, 2003

Buffalo, New York owes much of its fame to the Erie Canal, which ushered in unprecedented growth and prestige to what was at its peak the nation's eighth largest city. Burgeoning railroads and grain, coal, and lumber exports dominated this industrial giant through the dawn of the twentieth century, culminating in the city's crowning moment of glory, the Pan American Exposition of 1901. As industry declined and residents fled to the suburbs, perceptive citizens recognized Buffalo's vast architectural treasures and rescued many landmarks with the intention of preserving the community's heritage.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Nancy Blumenstalk Mingus chairs the Town of Amherst Historic Preservation Commission, is a member of several local and national preservation organizations, and has published three books and many articles. She presents here the first comprehensive history of Buffalo, focusing on the people and structures that made the city famous. The lively narrative and striking historic images offer a valuable, informative account of this vital northeastern city.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (November 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738524492
• ISBN-13: 978-0738524498
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,734,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Defensive Detailed History & Very Little Architecture, March 14, 2009

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J. Johnson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Buffalo, Good Neighbors, Great Architecture (Making of America: New York) (Paperback)

The author is a forceful, defensive supporter of Buffalo. So much so that the book starts with a strange outline of Buffalo weather without the mention of how much snow they get. This introduction begins the determination to never mention another negative thing about Buffalo. I do not blame Buffalo for President McKinley's death but the author sure is worried that the reader will unfairly make that assessment.

The history is well supported with quotes and detailed sources. The mention of architecture is thin and sprinkled throughout the historical text. Beyond the mention of the year built and the name of the architect there is little more. Occasionally a building style is mentioned but not defined or explained. The commercial Sullivan and Wright buildings are said to be the best examaples of their work without explaining why or giving a source for this statement. The author just makes the claims of being the best without really having any idea why that might (or might not) be true. Wright's Martin house is said to be the third best example of his residential style without saying what the first two are or why it might hold that distinction. The bibliography does not include even one architectural source. The architectural information is thin at best in this book and should not have been included in the title.

Very few pictures in this book and none of the Olmsted parks or Wright buildings. Not even that many of the great Richardson buildings (only the hospital). The pictures are in a small section in the middle and hard to match up with any related text. Strange organization.

This book is an ernest history of Buffalo with a chip on its shoulder. The many tiny defenses or perceived shortcomings do get a bit old. Do not buy this book to further your architectural understanding of Buffalo because there is no depth to or support of that information.