This erudite, informative and very readable book by expert architectural historian Marcus Binney looks at the evolution , history and current status of the town house in England, Europe and the USA . 120 examples of the interiors and exteriors of different styles and types of town houses are presented in excellent photographs , drawings and cut away plans revealing how the affluent , sometimes industrious and some time leisured urban I habitants lived in towns and cities where space was at a premium and houses needed to rise through several storeys with attics above and basements below. Many of these houses are elegant, splendid, classic and very beautiful . it is surprising that medieval half timbered houses in Chester or Cracow have survived fire, natural disasters or modernization. Binney has organized his work into chronological chapters covering medieval eras, renaissance and baroque, neo-classical. 19th and 20th century eclectism and concludes with a chapter of 20th century modern examples . there is one example drawn from Sydney. The strength of the book lies in its discussion of and access to specific houses . Of course there's nothing about the people who live in these houses and their experience of a house as a home or the challenges of living in a Heritage building . A solid bibliography , a glossary and a list of where to visit rounds off an excellent study. ( )