Product Description
Ethan Allen and HGTV may have plenty to say about making a home look right, but what makes a home feel right? In House Thinking, journalist and cultural critic Winifred Gallagher takes the reader on a psychological tour of the American home. By drawing on the latest research in behavioral science, an overview of cultural history, and interviews with leading architects and designers, she shows us not only how our homes reflect who we are but also how they influence … More >>
House Thinking: A Room-by-Room Look at How We Live
Tags: House, Live, Look, RoombyRoom, Thinking
I bought House Thinking several months ago when we were getting ready to do some serious remodeling, not as a how-to guide, but for some philosophical perspective. I found it unreadable. It is an example of the genre of Notecard Nonfiction. The way this works is that the wrier has an Idea & then begins Researching, making notes. Composition consists of stitching the notecards together into a sort of endless papyrus of bland observations, mostly from sociologists. Notecard Nonfiction, whatever the subject, relies heavily on sociological observation. It is like David Brooks without the right-wing point of view. Without any point of view. The book as pure consumer object, motivated by nothing deeper than market reserach.
Rating: 1 / 5
House Thinking focuses on each room and its function, historically and personally. One example is how a “Great Room” came about and how people in the past used such a space and how your own family activities and needs might fit with one. Gives a different and useful perspective on home space, room by room.
Rating: 5 / 5
Ms. Gallagher wows us again with her wit, intelligence, and insight into the American “living condition”. If you loved her book the “Power of Place”, you’ll really appreciate “House Thinking” because it tackles the newly emerging field of the home as a topic of environmental psychology. If you are considering moving, building a house or a second home, read this book first. You will look at your choices differently after reading her book. Our houses are NOT machines for living – they are living and breathing with us in them!
Rating: 5 / 5
I first heard Ms. Gallagher interviewed on NPR and found her to be interesting and articulate.
The book is just as wonderful! Informative, interesting and beautifully written. I urge anyone who is thinking of buying a house to read this book FIRST – then start looking at the real thing. Ms. G. provides us with a mini architectural degree and a phd. (small case) in the phsychological aspects of our most important space – our homes. Thank you for a great book. I have bought several copies for friends and family about to embark on this important mission and they have all been delighted to be exposed to Ms. Gallagher’s knowledge and insight.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a really neat, unusual book in that it goes room by room through American homes and talks about what those rooms mean to us culturally and how their cultural meaning has evolved over time. It’s a lot of fun if you have an interest in design, architecture or social/cultural history. A lot of what she said or pointed out had me hitting myself on the forehead and saying, “Duh! Of course it’s that way for a reason.” I really enjoyed the experience of reading this book and enjoy having names for concepts I veguely already had.
Rating: 4 / 5