Buildings of Iowa (Buildings of the United States) [Hardcover]

David Gebhard (Author), Gerald Mansheim (Author)

Book Description

Series: Buildings of the United States | Publication Date: March 25, 1993

In Buildings of Iowa, David Gebhard and Gerald Mansheim trace Iowa's architectural history from the earliest Native American influences to the present. Divided into five regional areas--Mississippi River East, Mississippi River West, and the Central, South, and North regions--the book's entries within each area are presented on a town-by-town basis to include the full array of Iowa's architectural offerings in various styles. Whether discussing farm houses, barns, and silos or churches, schools, courthouses, and libraries, the volume shows how a unity of rural and urban is effectively mirrored in Iowa's buildings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Libraries serving architectural historians and others interested in the geography and history of the US should have the entire series."--Choice

"Some of the best and brightest writers and scholars in the field are behind this series...This looks like a classic series in the making."--The Boston Globe

"An early volume of what is bound to become a landmark series, Buildings of Iowa is the definitive architectural guidebook of the state."--Academic Library Book Review

"It is clear that the series will inform us about our own architectural heritage on a scale never before accomplished. The series is recommended for art and architecture library collections and is also appropriate for general college, university, and public libraries."--Art Documentation

About the Author

David Gebhard, Professor of Architectural History and Curator, Architectural Drawing Collection, University Art Museum, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 592 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1st ed edition (March 25, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195061489
• ISBN-13: 978-0195061482
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,921,969 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect, January 21, 2009

By 

Jon L. Albee "Faulkner Wannabe" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Buildings of Iowa (Buildings of the United States) (Paperback)

As with the other titles in the series, this book is the state-wide catalog of (mostly) historic buildings that you expect, sorted by region and town. Each entry includes a brief descriptive essay, and about one entry in ten also includes a small monochrome photograph. The coverage is comprehensive, with a focus on late Federal and Victorian styles.

I also notice that the authors seem to favor domestic architecture over public architecture in this guide, which is something not found in other volumes in the series. In fact, I find the coverage of Sioux City's public architecture (particularly its many fine churches) to be entirely incomplete, and the only real flaw in the book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Iowa is dope, December 27, 2007

By 

Zacarator (heaven) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buildings of Iowa (Buildings of the United States) (Paperback)

This book is a handy dandy little guide for the daring soul who enjoys taking lazy Sunday afternoon drives in the great state of Iowa. The book doesn't have a lot of information per se, but it is really nice as a quick reference to many well-designed/constructed buildings that may be lurking just around the corner, or cornfield.