[.ca] The American Porch: An Informal History of an Informal Place (ISBN 1592282717)

Very Interesting read:
I was moved by the book so much that I built a porch on my house too!

The American Porch:
Michael Dolan is an excellent and engaging writer who guides the reader not only on a fascinating tour of the American porch, but also traces its family history back to the Carribean, Italy, Greece, India, and Africa. He provides a wonderful history review of many of the events and people who have the shaped United States while providing a narrative on its politics, music, and movies. This book begins with Colonial days continues into commune days and lastly touches upon current issues such as "Smart Growth" initiatives. I recommend that anyone who wants to learn more about the American porch, U.S. history or ways to meet the neighbors put this book at the top of their, "To Read" list.

Porch nostalgia:
Mr. Dolan has captured my attention with a most complete writing of a very favorite place: a porch. I found its history from early Greek to present day country home porches to be most interesting and informative. The photographs and descriptions of porches brings nostalgia. The book can best be read while sitting on a porch swing, sipping hot cocoa when the weather is cool or a glass of iced tea when its warm...

Great read:
Mr. Dolan's easy style make this thoughtful and thorough book a pleasure to read. This book is a great bathroom read!

Disappointed:
I love porches. I want one on my home. I was ready to read about porches. I couldn't get through the introduction of this book. The obvious liberal slant and the use of vulgarity just turned me off. I bet there is some really great information in this book but if I have to be bombarded by the above mentioned I will find my information elsewhere. The pictures were above average. If I could rate the book on the pictures.... give it a 5.