Congratulations to Sara Bronin, who recently presented me with her elegant new book Historic Preservation Law (co-written with Georgetown's J. Peter Byrne). This Foundation Press casebook (662 pp.) provides leading cases, article excerpts, well-chosen photos and insightful commentary from the authors all aimed at introducing the reader to the "increasingly important area of historic preservation law." Topics covered include Designation of Historic Sites; the National Historic Preservation Act; Environmental Policy Acts; Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (protecting historic sites unless there is no prudent and feasible alternative); Local Regulations of Property, including zoning; Constitutional Issues such as takings, religious liberty and free speech; Protection for Archaeological Sites; Protection for Native American Sites; Conservation and Preservation Restrictions; and Preservation within Modern Development.
It seems fitting that the Land of Steady Habits, otherwise known as the State that is Still Revolutionary, should be the birthplace of the first comprehensive volume on historic preservation law to be penned in a generation. As I peer out my window at the lovely archways connecting Hosmer Hall to the courtyard, I am grateful to have a colleague so deeply aware that preservation of values is built in part upon preservation of structures. It is wonderful to see this subject receive the careful scholarly attention it deserves and to know the topic is in good hands for our future. Well done, Sara. Three cheers! Jeremy
