No comments about Alvaro Siza: Writings on Architecture.

1 comments about Architecture and Suburbia: From English Villa to American Dream House, 1690-2000.

1. Archer puts suburbia into historical context, going back to before it was even known as this. Its beginnings were in the "nascent bourgeoisie...philosophical, economic, and political circumstances" of late seventeenth century England. Especially, the "new architectural type [of] the compact bourgeois villa" came to be seen as an ideal residence by the nascent bourgeois public. This architecture type allowed for a "new settlement pattern" different from the traditional ones of dense urban development and sprawling manors--namely, suburbia with its homes surrounded by lawns clustered in country-like areas. Along with laying out the cultural and philosophical origins of suburbia, including the developing concept of the self, Archer presents both sides of the assessment of suburbia. In modern-day America, where the majority of the population now live in suburbia, there has for many decades been an ongoing debate over whether suburbia is the acme of the American dream of prosperity and upward mobility or an illusion entailing the stifling of individuality and cultivation of materialism. Archer's book is substantive enough to be a text in college courses on suburban studies, while also being accessible and engaging enough as a timely work of cultural studies for the general reader. The author is a professor of cultural studies and comparative literature at the U. of Minnesota. With material ranging from Enlightenment English philosophy to portrayals of suburbia in recent movies, from architectural plans of the "compact bourgeois villa" to inventions such as lawnmowers and economic changes such as new banking practices associated with suburbia, the work demonstrates how fertile this subject is while bringing it into focus and drawing the avenues for further exploration of it.

No comments about Architecture in Europe Since 1968: Memory and Invention.

No comments about La imagen romantica de espana/ The Romantic Image of Spain: Arte Y Arquitectura Del Siglo XX (Alianza forma).

5 comments about The Story of Western Architecture: Third 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 Recovery of the Modern: Architectural Review 1980-1995: Key Text and Critique.

No comments about The Global Architect.

No comments about Light, Wind, and Structure: The Mystery of the Master Builders (New Liberal Arts Series).

No comments about Prinz Eisenbeton 6: Rock over Barock: Young and Beautiful: 7+2 (Prinz Eisenbeton).

1 comments about New Asian Architecture Vernacular Trad &.

1. If they reprint this book, anyone interested in architecture in asia should buy it. We had one but unfortunately gave it away-- to our architect for inspiration-- before we realized it was out of print. The pages are a visual feast, and the text is equally wonderful.