Mill: The History and Future of Naturally Powered Buildings [Hardcover]

David Larkin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2000

The counterpart to his bestselling Barn: The Art of a Working Building and years in the making, David Larkin's latest visual documentary book is a tour of the intriguing architecture of mills from their medieval beginnings to present day uses. Windmills, watermills, gristmills, sawmills and other kinds of naturally powered buildings from throughout the United States and Europe are revealed in unique, stunning photographs and drawings. Here, you'll discover mills still in full use, historically restored mills, as well as mills that have been converted into splendidly charming contemporary living spaces. In one chapter, stories documenting the complete restoration of gristmills are captured in picture-by-picture sequences. Also documented is the transformation of a towering early nineteenth-centruy English windmill into a beautifully appointed home-an outstanding representation of the possibilities these structures offer of today's lifestyle.

The highly engaging history and profound beauty of these handcrafted structures-all presented in print for the first time-will attract anyone interested in history, architecture, and historic preservation.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Larkin is a renowned editor, author, and book designer whose previous books include Frank Lloyd Wright: The Masterworks, Shaker Built, Barn, Farm, and The Treehouse Book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Universe; 1St Edition edition (December 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789305011
• ISBN-13: 978-0789305015
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #416,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It Could Have Been So Much More, September 3, 2001

By 

Dr Lawrence Hauser (NYC, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mill: The History and Future of Naturally Powered Buildings (Hardcover)

David Larkin has undertaken a project of massive proportion with this volume and on the whole, the presentation is worthy of the attention of readers with an interest in grist mill technology, American vernacular architecture and historic preservation. That said, I was disappointed to some extent with this book which I felt was desperately in need of a competent editor and extensive rewriting.

Right from the start, in the introduction to the book, I was unhappily surprised by the text which often seemed to me to be confusing substantively and awkwardly constructed. To take one example: "What was once a common occurrence is now rare, but a number of these stout buildings remain in what were strategic and active spots on stream banks and hillocks, some working, some with a new life as a home or office, some as picturesque ruins, and importantly, a growing number restored as plain country mills as interpretative museums--indicators of the growing interest in their history and technology with an eye perhaps toward their relevance as sustainable users of natural power." Although Mr. Larkin's writing improves as the book proceeds, I also found as I read through the text that many technical details pertaining to the actual working of the mills described in this volume were inadequately presented. So that it was difficult to follow these descriptions and come away with a clear understanding of the functioning of the mechanisms under discussion. Which was a pity given my desire to absorb and revel in this most intriguing subject matter!

On the positive side, the many splendid photographs contained in "Mill--The History And Future Of Naturally Powered Buildings" provide a wonderful introduction to the architecture of mill construction and a lovingly documented excursion into the rural landscape where these highly functional buildings operated, often for scores of years at a stretch. So it is for the visual presentation that I can strongly recommend this volume. Even though the book could have been so much more, it still offers a great deal to the reader with an interest in a world which is quickly disappearing from our view and, unfortunately to my mind, our consciousness.

5.0 out of 5 stars Mill, March 21, 2009

By 

Donald Wilson "MaineGuide" (Northeast US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mill: The History and Future of Naturally Powered Buildings (Hardcover)

This is a fantastic book. It gives a perspective from modern day use and preservation of mills that no other text offers. It is one that everyone interested in mills should have, and if one owns a mill, either using it for mill purposes or as a home, they should not be without this book.