Reviews for Democratic Discourses: The Radical Abolition Movement and Antebellum American Literature

The average rating for Democratic Discourses: The Radical Abolition Movement and Antebellum American Literature based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2016-10-12 00:00:00 Stanley Walker I was introduced to this book while perusing the Olympic Sculpture Park's PACCAR Pavilion's bookstore after attending Geoff McFetridge's In The Mind show. Geoff did the cover illustration and chapter divider spreads for this book, and the fact that he was involved in the project was reason enough for me to read it. My interests in both modern architecture + community didn't hurt either. It's a book about the mid-century-and-onward modern architectural treats found in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Silver Lake and the surrounding boroughs. But even more so, it's about the inhabitants of these buildings; about the creative folk (artists, building/landscape architects, fashion/graphic designers, filmmakers, photographers, and musicians) that are attracted to these spaces (and duly fill them) and the community they form/build/grow together: bartering skills, sharing tables at the cafes and eateries, hosting regular house parties, and consuming cheese & wine, etc... The author & architect Barbara Bestor is one such individual, as is graphic designer Geoff McFetridge (of Albertan origin). It is written mostly in first person (some awkward third-person captions about Barbara's home & office throw off the voice) with Barbara telling the stories of the homes/offices/shops and of her relationships with the tenants. As an architect, she is at her best when speaking of the strengths of the way space, light, and materials are best utilized/exploited in these spaces. As a writer, she is at her worst when repeatedly appealing to the inhabitant's shared "progressive" values/taste. Progressive, a word I am finding increasingly empty of meaning, especially when continually tied to a mid-century nostalgia. Or, maybe it's just the scent of elitism-identity-politiking found within the word. That aside, it inspires me to build neighbourhood with my best & most inspirational friends. Join me.

Review # 2 was written on 2017-11-25 00:00:00 Gary Quinn I've been eyeing this book for a while and finally ordered it from Amazon. The book itself is beautiful and well written with wonderful illustrations. I really loved the photos of the author's house and the story of how she designed it but I was surprised that I wasn't that into the look and design of the other many houses featured in the book. Usually I find at least one or two ideas to "borrow" for my own house and the inspiration just wasn't coming from any of he other people featured.