back cover] Often described as the forum of the American nation, the porch is a stage upon which the drama of everyday life is acted out. Whether simply rustic and charming or ornate and imposing, they can be as diverse as the country itself. This beautiful book is an unashamedly nostalgic celebration of this great American architectural icon. [front flap] Porches can be traced back to the founding of the American nation. Over time they have become icons, invested with a romantic and heroic idealism and cherished as part of this great nation's history. They are architectural idylls that symbolize the importance of family ties while openly embracing the world at large. The porch is a bridge between the interior life of the home and the world outside--a place to quietly reflect on the day, sit with neighbors and catch up on their news, linger with friends, or be alone with your loved ones and your dreams. A unique celebration of these beloved structures, this charming bookfeatures over fifty beautifully evocative photographs, from the simple wooden porch of a comfortable old frame house to the beautiful and imposing portico of a Southern mansion.

Accompanying the wonderful images are extracts from some of America's greatest writers and thinkers, including Henry James, Walt Whitman, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tom Wolfe, and Bill Bryson. [back flap] Wynn Wheldon, an Englishman, is an avid observer of American customs, arts, and crafts. He has published two previous books with American themes and has contributed articles to major British newspapers and magazines, including "The Daily Telegraph, The Independent on Sunday, and "Homes and Gardens.