Most round barns were built in the Midwest, though Triumpho, a dairyman and dairy news columnist who lives on the farm where he grew up, says nearly every state has one or two. He writes about the 43 round barns, dating from 1815 to 1950, that are known to dot his home state of New York. Though not all of the barns are actually round many are polygons with eight, nine, twelve, or more sides they are pleasing to look at as well as efficient for the farmer. Triumpho's nicely produced history, illustrated with b&w photos, is a pastoral ramble crammed with local names and facts; it includes a catalog listing the date, location, original owner, designer, and status of each barn. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)