Review
The admirable writing is overshadowed only by the stunning photos. (Greg Gatenby
Books in Canada 20040901)
A book that consciously decides to put the city's best architectural foot forward, and does it beautifully... very visually impressive. (Catherine Nasmith
Acorn: The Journal of The Architectural Conservanc 200309)
Like taking a heritage tour... distinguished by rich, diverse histories and unique architectural character. If you love older graceful houses... (
Style at Home 200311)
A thing of great beauty and charm, something that will draw from you oohs and very possibly aahs. (Nicholas Pashley
University of Toronto Bookstore Review 200309)
An expansive look at residential gems ... beautifully illustrated with more than 400 photographs. (Simon Avery
Globe and Mail 20030829)
The pictures and detail encourage a walking tour of homes in... [Toronto] neighbourhoods. (Waheeda Harris
National Post 20031004)
Tours of outstanding Toronto neighborhoods... lavish... sure to popular with architectural and historical buffs. (Brian Dexter
Toronto Star 200404)
Tom Cruickshank does it again, in illustrating the rich diverse and sometime eclectic architecture in Toronto... breathtaking photography. (
Edifice Magazine )
There isn't a lot of esoteric information here, but there's lots of eye-candy. (Annette McLeod
Toronto Sun )
Elegantly done. (Clive Irving
Conde Nast Traveler )
Stunning pictorial books, such as [this one], inspire and encourage us to keep looking for that beautiful old house. (Gillian Hobbs
Antique and Collectibles Showcase magazine )
From the Author
To a photographer the delightful assignment to photograph some 250 old Toronto houses, as delightful as it most certainly is, nevertheless presents some specific problems. Several of the houses will, of course, face north. This means that the sun will shine on their facade for only one period of time during the summer. And, because the early light is the most desirable light, it means getting up very early indeed... The very pleasant part of that is that nobody else is up yet so that for at least an hour or so one can drive around with ease and work in terrific 'peace and quiet.'
Toronto is favored with many beautiful, tree-lined streets. The problem that this presents, however, is that many of the trees stand right smack in front of and very close to the houses! In order to get a good photograph of such houses one is therefore limited to taking the picture in late fall, winter, or early spring.
Another circumstance one learns very quickly is the garbage collection and on which day of the week it happens in different parts of the city. As lovely as a well-separated collection of blue-box material may be to garbage collection fans, a street-long line of blue boxes does not add much quality to a photograph...
But all in all, the experience of really seeing such a variety of architectural styles, such a collection of interesting color schemes and so many houses obviously so lovingly maintained has been very rewarding, indeed.
John de Visser
(20030927)
