Keeping Time: The History and Theory of Preservation in America [Paperback]

William J. Murtagh (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471473774 | ISBN-13: 978-0471473770 | Publication Date: September 5, 2005 | Edition: 3

The historic preservation movement has had a huge influence on America's built landscape for the past thirty years. Discover the cornerstone primer on the topic -- Keeping Time. This edition features a wealth of new material, including new chapters on preservation values in oral-based cultures, international preservation, and future developments in the field.

In addition, you?ll find a clear, concise survey of preservation movement?s history, complete with:

• Helpful coverage of the theory and practice driving the movement.
• Expanded material on landscape preservation.
• New information on scientific conservation, cultural corridors, and historic tourism.
• Numerous informative photographs illustrating the book's content.

Order your copy of this fundamental volume for tomorrow's historic preservationists today.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Since 1812, when architect Robert Mills drew up plans for rebuilding the steeple of Independence Hall, the impulse to preserve historic American sites and buildings has snowballed. Today tens of thousands of buildings and some 5000 historic districts are recognized by the federally coordinated National Register of Historic Places. In part an illustrated historical survey, in part a handbook for civic activists, this primer by the first Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places traces the shift in the preservation movement from the restoration of isolated landmarks and houses where "Washington slept," to an emphasis on outdoor museums (Old Salem, N.C.; Sturbridge Village, Mass.) and, in recent years, a concern for the neighborhood in which a building stands. Through a case study of the Historic Savannah Foundation, which has saved some 1000 buildings in that city, Murtagh illustrates how the public can treat the built environment as a conservable national resource.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This one-volume introduction to the history and philosophy of preservation in America moves from the private sector's early concern for saving patriotic sites to extensive governmental activity and the legal and economic dimensions of a growth industry. Broad-ranging chapters treat terminology, outdoor museums, historic districts, adaptive use, landscape preservation, and case studies for successful programs; appendixes include selections of important federal legislation and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. A recommended short history particularly useful for introductory courses and for laypersons concerned with preservation issues in their communities. Douglas G. Birdsall, North Dakota State Univ. Lib., Fargo
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 3 edition (September 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471473774
• ISBN-13: 978-0471473770
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 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: #184,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable history of preservation, March 20, 2009

By 

Murray Smolens (Prescott, AZ) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Keeping Time: The History and Theory of Preservation in America (Paperback)

An outstanding summary of historic preservation. This was a required text for the online course I took, but it is very readable for the average person. A must-read for those interested in old buildings and their relevance today.

2.0 out of 5 stars Great book...horrible ebook., June 2, 2011

By 

Jane Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keeping Time: The History and Theory of Preservation in America (Wiley Desktop Editions) (Kindle Edition)

This is an excellent book that suffers from a horrible conversion to electronic format. The font is almost completely unreadable and unscalable as well. It is tragic how publishers charge almost as much as print and make no effort to ensure a quality product.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good textbook., October 28, 2009

By 

Dolly "Mary" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Keeping Time: The History and Theory of Preservation in America (Paperback)

The chapters are a reasonable length. The text is well written and has a definate voice. If you are a student this is a nicer size to carry than an enourmous biology book. The only annoying aspect is the first page of every chapter has the text alligned to the right. I loose my place for a few sentences. This is very minor though.