"Houses from Books provides a documented and illustrated survey of the influence of published designs on the styles, motifs, and sources of houses in villages, small cities, and suburbs in America from 1738 to 1950.".

"Daniel D. Reiff explores the people and firms who produced these books, the ways in which architects and builders used and adapted these designs, and the rise of architectural training during this period. Examining 118 books and booklets, ranging from Palladio's I Quattro Libri (1570) to Aladdin's Readi-Cut Homes (1952), Reiff discusses designs from seventy-six books representing forty six different authors or companies whose house designs can be found built in America.".

"Illustrated, Houses from Books will be useful to everyone interested in American domestic architecture. Homeowners, architects, historic-district researchers, and realtors will find this a resource for exploring and identifying the styles, sources, and meanings of individual dwellings. The last portion of the book is a catalog that can function as a guide for those attempting to locate a model and date for a particular design."--BOOK JACKET.