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Rating: 
Summary: Unique Book on Ohio's Architecture
Review: Building Ohio is a unique book in that it looks at Ohio's architecture from a state wide perspective. Ohio's best architecture can be found in Cincinnati and Cleveland and this book covers both of these cities. However, Building Ohio is the only book I know of that also covers Columbus', Dayton's, Toledo's, Canton's, and Akron's often underrated urban architecture. This alone makes it a valuable and original resource. What I also like about this book is it sometimes gets off the beaten path. This is not just a highlight book of downtown architecture. Jane Ware also explores city neighborhoods and suburbs in search of interesting architecture. I have lived in Cincinnati for the past twenty years and I found Jane Ware's opinions and writings informed and correct. I would think the one problem with writing a book on Ohio architecture are all the buildings that have to be left out because of space limitations. There are many buildings and neighborhoods in Cincinnati alone that are unfortunately not covered. If, after reading this book, you are interested in a more in-depth analysis of Cincinnati and its architecture, I would recommend Cincinnati Observed. The one complaint I have with this book is that it is hard to use it as a walking tour since there are no directions between each highlighted building. For example, when I was in Columbus, and walking in the downtown area, I found it hard to follow from building to building since I am not too familiar with downtown Columbus. Overall, I found this book to be a good buy and a much needed reminder on Ohio's often overlooked architectural legacy.
Rating:
Summary: Unique Book on Ohio's Architecture
Review: Building Ohio is a unique book in that it looks at Ohio's architecture from a state wide perspective. Ohio's best architecture can be found in Cincinnati and Cleveland and this book covers both of these cities. However, Building Ohio is the only book I know of that also covers Columbus', Dayton's, Toledo's, Canton's, and Akron's often underrated urban architecture. This alone makes it a valuable and original resource. What I also like about this book is it sometimes gets off the beaten path. This is not just a highlight book of downtown architecture. Jane Ware also explores city neighborhoods and suburbs in search of interesting architecture. I have lived in Cincinnati for the past twenty years and I found Jane Ware's opinions and writings informed and correct. I would think the one problem with writing a book on Ohio architecture are all the buildings that have to be left out because of space limitations. There are many buildings and neighborhoods in Cincinnati alone that are unfortunately not covered. If, after reading this book, you are interested in a more in-depth analysis of Cincinnati and its architecture, I would recommend Cincinnati Observed. The one complaint I have with this book is that it is hard to use it as a walking tour since there are no directions between each highlighted building. For example, when I was in Columbus, and walking in the downtown area, I found it hard to follow from building to building since I am not too familiar with downtown Columbus. Overall, I found this book to be a good buy and a much needed reminder on Ohio's often overlooked architectural legacy.
Rating: 
Summary: Black-and-white photographs and succinct information
Review: Building Ohio: A Traveler's Guide To Ohio's Urban Architecture by Jane Ware is an impressive and unique guidebook of Ohio urban architecture. Showcasing the buildings of Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown, Building Ohio is enhanced with a four page listing of credits, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index. Black-and-white photographs coupled with succinct information about historical buildings, great landmarks, distinctive features and much more completely fill the pages of this useful and highly recommended resource for travelers interested in seeing some of the finest architectural constructions Ohio has to offer.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasure reading
Review: First, few clarifications regarding earlier reviews: Be advised that the editorial review covers both books in this series, and that they have nearly identical titles. The first is 'Building Ohio: A Traveler's Guide to Ohio's Urban Architecture'. The second title is identical if you substitute "Rural" for "Urban". The word "Rural" is a little misleading, as the second book covers small-to-medium-sized cities as well as the countryside. Regarding walking directions, the books do provide walking directions for small groups of closely-spaced sites. If you want to construct a longer walking tour, then you easily can plan it using the supplied addresses and directions with a city map. The writing is very well researched, informative, and a pleasure to read. I've driven past many of the Cincinnati landmarks described here without knowing what they were, and it's a pleasure to be able to associate them not only with names and dates, but with stories. It's fascinating to know that modern airport taxi and bus routing, concourses, and baggage handling were pioneered in the design of a grand train station, Cincinnati's Union Terminal. Or, that landscaped cemeteries such as Adolph Strauch's Spring Grove Cemetery used to be popular picnic and party venues before cities started building parks to divert the load. In reading about our architecture, there is much to learn about ourselves. I'm still reading. Photographs are in black and white. There are many sketches used judiciously to show how a building appeared in the past, or to present city-planning layouts. Not every entry is accompanied by an illustration, which was sometimes disappointing. The author defines her area of interest broadly to cover not just buildings, but landscaping and city design as well.
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