Books in the Shire Library USA series

The 1950s was the first decade when American fashion became truly American. American designers looked to what American women needed and found inspirations for American fashion design. This title follows the American fashion industry from New York's 7th Avenue to the beaches of California in search of clothes that defined 1950s American fashion.

The White House is the most famous house in the world - yet its 18 acres of perfectly manicured grounds and magnificent gardens, much beloved by the Presidents and their families, are rarely seen by the public. This book presents a horticultural celebration of all the Presidents' gardens.

Takes you into the real stories of culture, race, politics, and family behind these remnants of a past that has had such impact on the South and on America as a whole and into the story of their preservation. This title measures the architectural legacy against the cruel realities that made it possible.

Presents the story of America's pursuit of sheer horsepower in the 1960s and '70s. This book details these golden years, as well as the economic and environmental developments of the 1970s that brought an end to the muscle car era.

Bowling is a favourite pastime for millions of families, and since its 1960s and '70s heyday has come to seem quintessentially American. In this title, the author reveals bowling's ancient origins, celebrating its heyday in the late twentieth century and charting its revival, and capturing the spirit of the game and those who play it.

The Shakers sought to create a heaven on earth through a combination of worship, diligent work, and their handicrafts. This book showcases the furniture, textiles, tools and machinery of the Shakers. It was known to the world in twentieth century.

Reflecting on the efforts to keep covered bridges in service as the face of the rural landscape is transformed, and the challenge of preserving their historic character while making them safe for modern traffic, this book guides the reader across the diverse range of covered bridges to be found throughout the North America.

The handsome multicolored streetcar is a nostalgic icon of the some of the most romantic and heritage-rich locales in America, including San Francisco, New Orleans and Chicago, immortalised on stage and screen in classics including 'Meet Me In St Louis' and 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. This title chronicles these vehicles.

Craft beer has in recent years seen an unprecedented surge in popularity across the United States and Canada. This book provides background, discusses the ingredients employed, explains what equipment is required and details the step-by-step "how-to" of the brewing process.

For the century after 1865 all the largest railroad companies had flagship luxury trains, spectacularly appointed steamliners offering unrivaled standards of service and thoughtful amenities including ladies' perfume and carnations for gentlemen. This book allows readers to experience the exhilarating journeys.

Explains how the wealth of immigrant construction methods and range of environments and climates resulted in a fascinating variety of barn styles in the United States, from the earliest rare Dutch examples to simpler English types to others in more surprising shapes (round or even polygonal) crafted by the Shakers in the 1800s.

Whether classics like Hershey's, Mars and M&Ms or trend-setters like PEZ and Atomic Fireballs, candy has a special place in the hearts and memories of most Americans, who to this day consume more than 600 billion pounds of it each year. This title examines the classic brands of the late twentieth century and what they mean.

From Jones' Woods, America's first amusement resort, to Coney Island during the golden age of the mid-1900s, and well beyond into the twenty-first century, the thrills of the amusement park have been a treasured part of childhood for Americans from coast to coast. This title captures the sights, smells, and vitality of a grand American tradition.

The Chicago River divides America's Second City into the North and South Sides, and the bridges that span it are famous for their number and beauty. This book traces the evolution of them all, from the original rising bascules to the designed twentieth-century structures that lend Chicago much of the grandeur for which it is known world-wide.

Explains the factors that made the era suitable for the development of the steam engine and paddle boat, taking the reader far beyond the romantic image and revealing the steamboat as a vital and essential force in the development of the nation.

Begun in 1926 to connect Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 was the country's first major east-west thoroughfare. This title traces the story of The Mother Road from origins to decline, including the roadside attractions and cottage industries it spawned and the efforts to save and restore it.

From Nickelodeons and penny arcades in the 1890s to sophisticated, grand movie palaces in the 1920s and '30s, the evolution of American movie theaters was as dramatic as the films they showed. This book identifies the main styles of decoration, examples, and the architects and designers behind them.

In the early 1970s, video arcade games sprung to life in the form of Pong, Space Invaders, Asteroids, and Pac-Man, and if you were lucky enough to have an Atari system you could play Frogger or Galaga at home. By the 1980s, arcade and video games were entrenched as a pop culture phenomenon and were ubiquitous. But as quickly as the form took flight it began to change with the advent of hand-held games and more sophisticated home-gaming. Brian Eddy here traces the evolution of arcade video games, giving readers an inside look at the stratospheric rise-and transformation-of the industry.

"Breweriana".

"Pottery of the Southwest: Ancient Art and Modern Traditions".

Thanksgiving celebrations and the increasingly sophisticated fare served in inns and taverns, this book provides a window onto daily life in Colonial America. It shows how European methods and cuisine were adapted to include native produce such as maize, potatoes, beans, peanuts and tomatoes, and features a section of authentic menus and recipes.

The birth of the skyscraper in Chicago in the mid-1880s introduced a new direction for city architecture: upwards. But how - and why- was it that Chicago set the standard for high-rise buildings, not only across the USA but all over the world? This title introduces the style of the First Chicago School from 1880 to 1910.

Modern living began with the homes of the 1950s. In what ways did life change for people moving into these swanky new homes, and why has the legacy of the 1950s home endured for so long? This title answers these questions and more in this introduction to the homes that embody the golden age of modern design.

Features the complete history of the Airstream, tips, cool facts, quotes and fabulous photographs-a fitting tribute to a true American legend.

Harley-Davidson: words that evoke the open American road and the "Made in America" tradition like no others. The sweeping chopper handlebars, the distinctive throaty low-speed rumble of the engine and the unmistakable logo are recognized the world over. This book ties together the mechanical evolution of Harley's engines.