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Building
America For more information about this series, you may wish to contact the publisher: Click here for sampling of reviews.
Reviews “Books in the new Building America series are marked by strong research,
clear writing, good organization, and very handsome color photographs (mostly
taken by the author). Bial looks at a variety of structures found in the U.S.,
both private and communal. The Canals discusses the importance of
river transportation and how the canal system was built. Excellent diagrams
and artwork help make complicated concepts such as the lock system more understandable.
In Houses, Bial explains how the housing development was influenced by the
materials and climates the European settlers encountered as they moved west.
Because of the great variety in housing, information in this volume is brief,
but it is well presented and accompanied by numerous photographs and drawings.
A glossary, bibliography, a reading list, and Web site recommendations end
each volume. A highly recommended series.” “Bial displays his trademark clear, enthusiastic narrative coupled with
outstanding photos and archival prints. Here, illustrations by Eric Sloane
are an additional bonus. The author shows great respect for his subjects and
repeatedly emphasizes and explains the backbreaking labor and ingenuity necessary
for survival in the New World and on the frontier. In pursuing the dream of
building a life in a new country, the settlers adapted their old ways, borrowed
from others, and applied incredible creativity to achieve their goal. Their
efforts and the lasting results are vividly described. The technology explained
is practical and often complicated but the clear explanations are accompanied
by enlightening diagrams or photos. All illustrative material is credited and
Bial’s photos are reminiscent of paintings by Edward Hopper in their
use of light and shadow. These titles are akin to Leonard Everett Fisher’s ‘Colonial
Craftsmen’ series (Benchmark) and the classic books by Edwin Tunis such
as Frontier Living (Harper-Collins, 1976). The quotes in each volume
are not footnoted but they generally provide color rather than essential information.
The titles provide narrative and visual delights and will be valuable for school
use and for browsing.”
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