In 545 beautiful colour images, this fascinating book presents a broad sampling of residences (25 remodelled homes) that embody a living and evolving history of the Alamo City (including some repurposed commercial sites). Some of these structures are grand in their own right, others modest. Different in size, style, and locations, these varied living spaces share a similar sensitivity to the past and dynamic engagement in San Antonio's future. Those who refurbished these structures did not view them as frozen-in-time period pieces to double as museums or simply as Hollywood movie sets. Rather, they chose to breathe new life into these places in a number of remarkable and time-honouring ways. Two of the houses presented, from the historic King William district, are excellent examples of once-grand structures restored for living elegantly in the present, the late 19th century Nix House, the city's and perhaps the nation's first LEEDS/Platinum historic preservation home, and the exquisite Chabot House. This book will be a treasure to all who enjoy architecture or San Antonio. AUTHORS: David Strahan, AIA, is a practicing architect and interior designer in the State of Texas.

Katharine Kaye McMillan, PhD, is a research psychologist interested in human factors relating to design and decoration. Patricia Hart McMillan has been editor-in-chief of a NYC-based magazine and author/co-author of 9 design books. ILLUSTRATIONS: 545 colour photographs.