# Acknowledgments explained — Sticks and Stones

> Chapter companion for Sticks and Stones by Lewis Mumford.

## What happens

The author explains the purpose of the book as an evaluation of American architecture in relation to civilization, emphasizing the importance of experiencing buildings firsthand rather than through photographs. He acknowledges the encouragement of Mr. Albert Jay Nock, the assistance of Mr. Charles Harris Whitaker, and the intellectual influence of Victor Branford and Patrick Geddes. Further thanks are given to Clarence Stein, Benton Mackaye, Henry Wright, and others, along with a note on prior publication of some material in various periodicals.

## Character check-ins

### Patrick Geddes

Acknowledged as an intellectual influence, along with Victor Branford.

### Benton MacKaye

Thanked for unpublished reports and memoranda that guided the concluding chapters.

### Henry Wright

Thanked for unpublished reports and memoranda that guided the concluding chapters.

## Key lines

> This is an attempt to evaluate architecture in America in terms of our civilization.

The book aims to assess American architecture through the lens of its civilization.

_Sets the overarching purpose of the work._

> I have tried, rather, by approaching our modern problems from their historic side, to criticize the forces that from one age to another have conditioned our architecture, and altered its forms.

Instead of critiquing specific buildings, the author examines historical forces that have shaped architecture over time.

_Explains the methodological approach of the book._

> for a building is not merely a sight; it is an experience: and one who knows architecture only by photographs does not know it at all.

Buildings must be experienced in person, not just seen in pictures, to be truly understood.

_Emphasizes the experiential nature of architecture._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sticks_and_stones_se/chapters/acknowledgments
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sticks_and_stones_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sticks_and_stones_se/chapters