Where We Lived: Discovering the Places We Once Called Home

by Jack Larkin

Book Overview

The past has left behind only scattered clues that, on their own, provide little insight into how the people of early America lived and the details of their daily lives. The photographs in this book,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1561588474
• ISBN13: 9781561588473
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Taunton Press
• Length: 266 Pages
• Weight: 2.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 9.2" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

Another Great Social History Book

A fascinating account of the homes folks lived in 200 years ago and what each space and room in the home was used for. Mr. Larkin vividly describes by area (New England, the Middle States, the Southern States, and the Western States - as far as what was considered west by 1840), how the people of the past utilized their living spaces. It also describes in detail the many different styles of housing in the geographical areas mentioned, and how the Middle States structures may differ from the, say, New England area. As mentioned in other reviews, it truly is amazing how many human beings could sometimes be squeezed into a small house with, most likely, little complaining. In addition to the lively, well-written text, there are many photographs - most taken 50 or more years ago and are in black and white - to enhance the reader's enjoyment. As an amatuer social historian, I can honestly say this wonderful book is a great find to add to any collection. I am thankful we have historians like Jack Larkin to help us in our quest for real American History.

Discovering the Places We Once Called Home

The book is wonderful! For anyone who loves history, architecture etc., you will enjoy. The photographs are beautiful. It would make a great addition to any library,or to display as a coffee table book.

Compare these with What we Build Today

The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) was one of the make work projects of the depression era designed to give employment to out of work architects, draftsmen and photographers. With an office in each state, they documented thousands of houses, public buildings and other structures dating from the earliest they could find to about Civil War time. HABS produced a wealth of information about the way Americans lived in their early days. It has proven so helpful that it was restarted after World War II and again revitalized recently. This book is largely composed of photographs taken by the HABS people combined with an excellent story line by John Larkin, chief historian at Old Sturbridge Village. He has found numerous reports written by people actually living in these buildings at the time, and quotes or summarizes their views. I was struck at the small size of the houses, as I am when I see them in parks or abandoned towns (common out here in the west), and the large number of people that lived in them. It's a most interesting look at houses when compared to what we are building today where four people have eight rooms and three car garages.

Forgotten slice of Americana is brought to life by Jack Larkin.

For the many of us who have a disconnect between life today and life as it was lived in years past, Discovering the Places we Once Called Home is a must read. Jack Larkin very ably takes us back in history in a most intimate way and allows us to witness the homestead of our grandparents with the hardships of daily living without modern conveniences. The photographs and commentary are testament to diligent research and scholarship by the author and I am left with wanting more.

Where We Lived-much more than architecture!

This is an important new work on the American home for the historian, teacher, and architecture buff. Written for the lay person in mind, Mr. Larkin does a fantastic job covering the American home from 1775-1840. The author used many sharp black and white photos from the Historic American Buildings Survey and keen journal/diary entries from American and European travelers to create a narrative that is heavy in primary sources that dovetail with the photography. The book is not a heavy architectural treatise, but written for the average American home enthusiast. Mr. Larkin divided the book into three sections: New England, Middle, and Southern states. As a teacher, I feel the book is very important in transferring rich primary sources via the journal entries and material culture info not ususally found in narrative or university press histories. The book offers some great views of homes that have long gone under the wrecking ball or just fell into disrepair and were torn down. The HABS survey photographs were all taken in the 1930's and for those not familiar they are a rich source. Mr. Larkin's work truly meets the dustjacket's detailed description. A first rate photographic history of the American home from 1775-1840.