Beginning with the homes of the first European settlers to the North American colonies, and concluding with the latest trends in construction and design of houses and apartments in the United States, Homes through American History is a four-volume set intended for a general audience. From tenements to McMansions, from wattle-and-daub construction in early New England to sustainable materials for "green housing," these books provide a rich historical tour through housing in the United States. Divided into 10 historical periods, the series explores a variety of home types and issues within a social, historical, and political context. For use in history, social studies, and literature classes, Homes through American History identifies - A brief historical overview of the era, in order provide context to the discussion of homes and dwellings. - Styles of domestic architecture around the country. - Building material and manufacturing. - Home layout and design. - Furniture and decoration. - Landscaping and outbuildings. Special sidebars highlight unusual homes or features in homes that tell us about the people who lived in them; timelines for each period detail important events in domestic architecture as well as in history; resource guides provide information on important books, articles, Web sites, and videos for further study. The set also includes glossaries and comprehensive index.