Sumptuous, informative, and engaging, this is the ultimate book on American quilts as art--and this edition contains several new quilts, created since the book's original publication. Written by one of the leading scholars in the field, it's a fascinating chronicle of the growth and evolution of an art form with a rich heritage. Not only does author Robert Shaw provide an insightful look at quilting aesthetics, he places the craft in its historical, cultural, and socioeconomic context, providing a visually lush journey through American history. This opulent volume starts with old-world traditions and goes up to the present, examining key moments that had an impact on quilting culture--including Amish emigration, slavery and the Civil War, the Depression, new sewing technology, and the Bicentennial. More than 350 stunning images capture a rich variety of work created by people from all walks of life.