New Releases by David Larkin

The American countryside attracted European settlers in search of rich farmland. Bringing with them the architectural ideas of their native countries, but few highly skilled craftsmen and a lack of sophisticated tools, they developed a more simplified building style. Often an entire community was called upon to participate in the building of a house, barn, or church, and the traditions of the diverse cultures were combined to produce a unique American form.

Every building and structure on a farm tells a story. Traveling through time and seasons, countries and regions, this book documents various cultural traditions, styles, and influences reflected in the overall layout of the farm complex (in relation to the landscape) and in the individual structures and building materials. Over 200 color photos.

Devoted to the origins, elements, and forms of this graceful, efficient style.

Massive structures created with the use of native materials, and by the simplest yet most practical methods, the barn is a beautiful and powerful form. As a place of shelter, of work, and of life, the barn is an essential and esteemed form in ancient and modern architecture both in Europe and America, and a favorite dwelling for people today. The origins of the barn, its uniqueness and importance as a structure, along with the techniques and tools necessary in raising a barn are examined here. From medieval European barns to nineteenth-century Pennsylvania Dutch barns to the most modern timber framed structures, the barn has become not only a practical work place, but a place to restore, preserve, and live in as well.

In the early 1880''s, the unknown American West lured travellers, explorersnd spiritual seekers from around the world. These explorers were theathfinders of the Oregan trail, the Santa Fe trail and the California trail.hey discovered the ruins of ancient cliff-dwellers, the wonders ofellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, Grand Teton andanyonlands. This book is a documentation of these expeditions.;The recordsf the expeditions, by Lewis and Clark, Zebulon Pike, John Fremont, Johnowell and others, exist only in their notebooks, journals and diaries.ollowing these records, photographers have returned to the originalocations at the same time of day and season of the year, to document theites. These large format, colour photographs, juxtaposed with theravellers'' manuscripts, letters and sketchbooks, recreate the expeditions.lso featured are the explorers'' own maps, revealing what they thought theyere doing, along with modern accurate maps depicting their real progress.

"The use of earth as a building material is as old as civilization. For the twentieth-century American, the process is most familiar in the sun-dried brick called adobe and the architectural style characteristic of the desert Southwest and the mission buildings of California." "Here, in more than two hundred pictures and a lucid, informed text, is the story of building and living with earth - from North and West Africa to the Iberian Peninsula, from the centuries-old Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe to the modern homes of the wealthy in the hills near Taos." "Essential to the story of adobe is the experience of construction itself, which is a communal act - families and friends engaged in the making of bricks and the raising of walls and rafters (called vigas), and the unique skill of applying the protective and beautifying plaster, a task often left to the talented women known as enjaradoras." "Adobe describes the wide variety of earthen architecture: the stark grandeur of the Taos pueblo; light-filled artists'' studios; the typical hacienda with its living spaces surrounding a sunlit courtyard; and new houses designed to maintain a tradition yet providing abundant comfort and pleasure."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

From 19th-century Shaker communities came beautifully crafted buildings, furniture, tools, and other artifacts admired throughout the world. In the tradition of its bestselling predecessor Shaker: Life, Work, and Art, this book evokes the very special flavor of the Shaker way of life. 52 full-color illustrations.

Depicts the construction of a replica of a ship that brought English settlers to Jamestown, Virginia

An oversized (91/4x121/4") book with over 150 exquisite photographs displaying the works and techniques of 17 self-taught artists from the mountains between Virginia and Alabama. The sparse but well written text traces each artist''s background and inspiration. Includes sculptors, painters, carvers, and basket weavers using materials from their environment. No index or bibliography. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Discusses the Shaker''s origins, beliefs, work, and daily life. Over 200 color photographs illustrate their architecture and furniture.

Profusely illustrated text discusses the giants of mythology, folklore, and fiction.