In this influential work, John Archer argues that the ideal suburban house is rooted in notions of privacy, property, and selfhood that are the foundation of identity in America. Spanning four centuries, Architecture and Suburbia explores phenomena ranging from the proliferation of the dream house in parallel with Cold War politics to discussions over sprawl and gated communities. Recognizing increasingly diverse suburbs as the dynamic basis for a strengthened social fabric, Archer addresses the past, present, and future of the American dream house.