No comments about Famous Cathedrals: As Seen and Described by Great Writers.

No comments about Tracing Architecture: The Aesthetics of Antiquarianism (Art History Special Issues).

5 comments about The Story of Western Architecture, 3rd Edition.

1. This book is taxing. While the book is generally interesting and concise it is overwhelmed by Risebero's political views which he seems to be able to interject at every possible moment. Risebero is a communist through and through, and the never-ending praise of Marx as "great" and the incessent criticism of capitalism is too much to take. From day one in the history of Western architectural history Risebero somehow finds the exploitation of the working class to exist first through slavery, then feudalism, then capitalism. He repeatedly embraces his hatred for capitalism and uses it to bemoan the class-structure of society. It progressively gets worse until the period of the late 20th century when it certainly feels as though 50% of his writing is dedicated to the ranting about exploitation of the poor by the bourgeoise or the 'military-industrial complex" and how Thatcher and Reagan caused more unemployment and increased homelessness. He ends the book by focusing on inconsequential works of architecture that focus on squatters and environmentalism, the depletion of the ozone layer, criticism of the failure of the passage of the Kyoto Treaty, and the eminent demise of the earth's resources as part of the problem with architecture today. This would be a great textbook for the people of China, North Korea, or Cuba because it serves to criticize every great work of architecture as the unfair exploitation of the poor by the evil profiteers of the west. It's Soviet-style propaganda at its worst. I couldn't wait to get this book over and done with.



2. As an architectural novice who recently decided to learn more about it, I checked three books out of the library: The Story of Western Architecture, by Risebero; Western Architecture, by Sutton, and The Story of Architecture, by Glancey. This is a brief comparison of the three.
   
   Risebero: This is an impressive book with many detailed line drawings but no photographs. The line drawings obviously lack the details and total impact of photos but they also allow the author to emphasize and isolate features of interest; photos can frequently confuse the eye with an excess of detail. Also includes sketches that illustrate building principles, e.g., what "pendentives" are, ways to intersect arches, etc. Risebero provides socio-cultural material that attempts to explain the reasons behind historical trends, movements, etc. I suspect this material is controversial among architectural historians, as such attempts usually are, but I lack the background to judge whether it exhibits strong biases, political agendas, etc.
   
   Sutton: An attractive book with lots of coverage (I think more comprehensive than Risebero) and photos. The photos are black & white and unfortunately small due to the relatively small format of the (paperback edition) book. The text has a somewhat academic tone and concentrates on the buildings rather than the social theories expounded in Risebero's book.
   
   Glancey: A large-format book with beautiful color photographs. The only book of the three to include non-Western architecture, such as Africa, Asia, etc. The text is large-font and more simplistic in tone and content than the above two.
   
   Conclusions: Sutton was somewhat dry, lacking the feeling of continuity created by a narrative line. In contrast, Risebero's social commentary made for a better "story" (hence the title, I guess), but I did have the sense of social ideas being imposed upon me without having the background to evaluate them. Glancey's book was quite short and simple - perhaps almost more of a young-adult sort of book. If I were to pick a winner, it would be Risebero, for excellent line drawings and a storytelling feel that kept my interest. The only real lack was some nice big color photos (a la Glancey), but you can't have everything.



3. I think reviewers may have been a bit harsh about this book. I am a college freshman with no background in architecture or world history, and I immensely enjoyed reading this book - I read through all of it in three or four days. That said, I agree that it teaches little, but one should treat this as a survey book, not as a textbook.



4. For a visual overview of Western architecture done in black & white line drawings this book is excellent. Informative captions illuminate the drawings as well. The text may be a bit trying but it's the visuals that carry the day - with many more pages full of well-drawn examples,both elevations, exteriors & some cross-sections included.Scale is always apparent with the inclusion of figures. If it's a detailed history you want go elsewhere. Here the pictures tell the story.



5. This book is simply not worth your time to read it. The author tries to stuff the better part of 5000 years of history, religion, culture, politics, and architecture into one short paperback book. This makes for frustrating reading as you try to follow the narrative, especially since nothing in the entire book is explained. You're guaranteed not to learn a single thing. This book also fails to focus on anything, which results in a bland, monotonic narrative. The hand drawn illustrations look like a seven year old was hired as the art director, and they don't allow the reader to get a sense of the awesome proportions and grandeur of the buildings they so desperately seek to depict. Unless you already have a very, very strong backround in western architecture and history, and you have a considerable amount of time to kill, I wouldn't recommend this book.

No comments about The Poetry of Architecture: Or, the Architecture of the Nations of Europe Considered in Its Association with Natural Scenery and National Characte.

1 comments about Suburban Form: An International Perspective.

1. This book is of great interest to anybody who wants to know about suburbs around the world, and/or wants to know how suburbs in various countries around the world compare with those of the U.S.
   
   Of all the books that there are about suburbs, most focus exclusively on those of the U.S. This one is the first English-language book I have found so far that says anything about either the history or the current trends of suburbs in Quebec City. Ironically, even "The New City", by John Lorinc, which is one of the few Canadian books about cities and suburbs, doesn't say a thing about the suburbs of Quebec City (that book gives detailed information about the suburbs of Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and even Ottawa and Montreal, but not those of Quebec City). You would never know that Quebec City has typical North American sprawling suburbs when you are in the old part of that city, nor would you ever know it from very many books about suburbs. However, I know it from looking at maps of Quebec City, and from being in some of them (e.g. Sainte-Foy). I am very interested in how the suburbia trend in French-Canadian communities compares with those in American and English-Canadian communities. Unfortunately, information on them is very hard to find!

No comments about Gender and Architecture.

No comments about Frederick J. Kiesler: Endless Space.

No comments about Illinois Architecture from Territorial Times to the Present; A Selective Guide..

No comments about Perth and Kinross: The Buildings of Scotland (Pevsner Architectural Guides).

No comments about Bare Facts: The Best Buildings by Young Architects in the Netherlands.