Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice (Second Edition) [Paperback]

Norman Tyler (Author), Ted J. Ligibel (Author), Ilene R. Tyler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393732738 | ISBN-13: 978-0393732733 | Publication Date: February 4, 2009 | Edition: Second Edition

Historic preservation, which started as a grassroots movement, now represents the cutting edge in a cultural revolution focused on “green” architecture and sustainability.

This is the only book to cover the gamut of preservation issues in layman’s language: the philosophy and history of the movement, the role of government, the documentation and designation of historic properties, sensitive architectural designs and planning, preservation technology, and heritage tourism, plus a survey of architectural styles. It is an ideal introduction to the field for students, historians, preservationists, property owners, local officials, and community leaders. Updated throughout, this revised edition addresses new subjects, including heritage tourism and partnering with the environmental community. 91 line drawings; 69 black-and-white photographs

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[T]he classic textbook for the field.” (Old Mill News )

“Historic Preservation is a book that, in being named after its subject, invites high expectations and meets them all.” (Civil Engineering )

“Libraries strong in architecture and historic preservation will find the second updated edition of Historic Preservation a winner.” (The Midwest Book Review )

“[A]n essential resource that should be in the library of any preservationist.” (Tim Cannan, President - PreservationDirectory.com )

“[A] thorough introduction to the sometimes complicated subject of historic preservation….clear and concise…Current with today’s issues.” (The New England Antiques Journal )

“[I]ndispensable….the authors and the book’s editorial advisors accomplish what no others have to date. This is the intellectually accessible basic textbook—that Preservation 101 we all have been seeking. It is useful as a basic reader in the undergraduate classroom, serves as a quick reference for graduate students…and provides information for professionals in foreign countries on how preservation is practiced in the United States. It can also be dipped into as needed by preservation volunteers who, after all, form the backbone of American preservation on a community level.” (Preservation Education & Research )

“[D]eserves a place in the home of anyone interested in the activities of preservation….If we could have only one book on the practice of historic preservation, this may well be that book.” (Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation )

“This book is recommended to students, planners, and citizens interested in the preservation and protection of our local, regional, and national patrimony.” (Colonial Latin American Historical Review )

“…an impressive textbook…As someone who teaches historic preservation theory to architects, I am looking forward to using Historic Preservation as one of my textbooks next year. I will also recommend this book to anyone interested in historic preservation. Local government officials, historic district commissioners and even owners of historic buildings can all benefit from reading this book.” (Paul Hardin Kapp - Bulletin of the Illinois Geographical Society )

“When I first started teaching historic preservation, Norman Tyler's Historic Preservation, published in 2000, was the best, and perhaps only, book available to provide an overview of the entire field of historic preservation. For nearly ten years he has made what can be a confusing process accessible to students, property owners, local officials, business leaders....Now, his second edition makes it even better....There are many reasons to praise the second edition of Historic Preservation, but I think the most useful aspects are the updated chapter on preservation economics and the whole new chapters on planning, sustainability...and heritage tourism, cultural landscapes and heritage corridors or areas.” (Dr. Barbara E. Mattick, Chief of the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Florida Department of State, and a Deputy State Historic Officer in the Florida State Historic Preservation Office )

About the Author

Norman Tyler, AICP, is faculty and former director of the Urban and Regional Planning program at Eastern Michigan University. He has also taught at the University of Michigan and Penn State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and a registered architect. He has served on the board of the Michigan Association of Planning, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and a founding member of the Ann Arbor Preservation Alliance.

Ted J. Ligibel, PhD, is director of Eastern Michigan University’s historic preservation programs and an advisor emeritus to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. He currently serves as chair of the National Council for Preservation Education.

Ilene R. Tyler, FAIA, FAPT, LEED AP, is Principal and Director of Preservation in the Ann Arbor office of Quinn Evans Architects. She has served on the Association for Preservation Technology Board of Directors and the Technical Committee for Sustainable Preservation. She teaches a course in the Principles of Preservation Technology at Eastern Michigan University, and has lectured widely on the topic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; Second Edition edition (February 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393732738
• ISBN-13: 978-0393732733
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful textbook for everyone in Historic Preservation, March 13, 2009

By 

William Neumann "Author of Rutherford: A Brie... (Rutherford, NJ (of course!)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice (Second Edition) (Paperback)

Anyone who seeks knowledge from a text book expects a structured course of solid detail. But sometimes the organization of a course can begin as a meandering stream only to become an untamable river. Given how broad historic preservation can be, thankfully the 2009 edition of Historic Preservation by Norman Tyler flows so simply in presentation and is a pleasure to swim through.

Mr. Tyler's introduction to historic preservation is a quick review of the earliest motivations to preserve. Presenting the classically conflicted ideas of John Ruskin and Viollet le Duc prepares the reader to digest some of the more nonchalant approaches to preservation. Once surveyed, Tyler quickly turns to equipping us with all the content and contextual knowledge to recognize the depths of the built environment. A chronological explanation of the major architectural styles along with simple line illustrations helps to focus the reader's interest in a concise way. This historic architectural reference is integrated directly into the ethical basis of why and the legal backbone of how preservation legislation has evolved. Thus, the important emphasis on an asset's significance and integrity is well examined and driven home

Once past the shallows of basic knowledge Mr. Tyler circles back to examine the intricate sees of historic individual and district designations. This expands into the reasoning behind municipal land use law and it's application. It is now time to load up on the tools and techniques of modern preservation. Simplifying the different approaches in rehabilitation, restoration conservation and reconstruction leads seamlessly to all of the fun parts of research and documentation of assets. The author's detail on basic building systems is masterful. Throughout these sections is a careful balance struck between such diverse areas as describing a Historic Structure Reports and addressing life / safety issues.

But without an economically secure future how can a structure survive the rapids of change? Mr. Tyler's answer begins with a fresh look at Donovan Rypkema's landmark report on the benefits of preservation. Realistic considerations of a structure's financial viability lead into the surprisingly clear waters of easements, tax considerations, and financial analysis. Even the pro forma spread sheet example invites a try.

Since a reader has come this far, the next step is advocacy, fundraising and assistance with local government and municipal planning integration. Preservation planning through Downtown Management, Master Plan review and zoning are explained in a general way so to invite a local conception. This 2009 edition also reflects an up to date, smart discussion on sustainability, greenability and active heritage tourism.

Historic Preservation is one of the finest guides to the dynamic study of modern preservation. It should be considered for any course work or library collection on the subject.

Billy Neumann author of Rutherford: A Brief History

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars College-level libraries will find it a winner, May 16, 2009

By 

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

This review is from: Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice (Second Edition) (Paperback)

Libraries strong in architecture and historic preservation will find the second updated edition of HISTORIC PRESERVATION a winner. It traces what began as a grassroots movement and evolved into a 'green' architecture and sustainability movement today, using layman's language to trace the philosophy of preservation and introducing the ideas for students, preservationists and community leaders alike. College-level libraries will find it a winner.

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Introduction to Western Preservation, November 27, 2011

By 

A. Wheeler (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice (Second Edition) (Paperback)

This was essentially my 101 textbook back as an undergrad Cultural/Historic Preservation freshman. I highly recommend it for its ability to remain clear and manageable when addressing a field as famously broad as preservation. The book focused primarily on tangible heritage (architecture), which it presented with explanatory diagrams and stylistic case studies. I do think that professors using this book need to make the point that focusing on tangible heritage is strictly a Western perspective. This perspective obviously needs to be taught, considering almost all national and international heritage law is based on principles derived from Western philosophy. But students should be aware that preservation involves a lot of compromise. This book shows preservation as the majority of Euro-American practitioners would say it should be done. As anyone active in the field knows, however, real-life conditions don't always allow for that (for better or for worse), whether it's shortage of money, labor, technology, specific craft skills, or protest from owners and/or community members. Still I do not hesitate to recommend this book for all the reasons stated by other reviewers, but add that it should be supplemented by literature on preservation's less cut-and-dried aspects.