Alan Gowans (1924–2001)

While picking up something entirely other at the library, I happened to see this. A big house book from pre-war suburbia, which really qualifies as urban now? Yes please. And despite the hideous look of the cover and the poor reproduction of the photo on the cover that is just exactly the kind of house I love most.

So, really, I expected this to be lots of fun pictures of houses and some floor plans, maybe something about specific suburbs or whatever. Instead it is a show more classification/identification system, and social history, and a fair amount about the differing roles of architects, spec builders, and houses by mail, and so much snark! I read every word which I didn't expect. And I was really engrossed reading about the kinds of pavilions the states were building at expositions, because I love to get all up in that mess. Plus, for bonus points, the snark was rather more pointed at Wright than at the average home buyer, and I have no use for Wright, so yay!

Highly recommended for anyone who spends hours looking at Queen Anne floor plans and painted ladies on Pinterest. And I know I'm not the only one.

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