No comments about Los Angeles Architecture.

No comments about Architecture in Latin America: 1st Mies van.

1 comments about Architectural Guidebook to the National Parks: California, Oregon, Washington.

1. Harvey Kaiser first caught my attention with "The Great Camps Of The Adirondacks" which were the precursors to the National Park System's own architecture. Kaiser thoroughly guides the reader through detailed architecture in most of the great parks in the western states (California, Washing and Oregon). Form, content, structure, function combined with natural beauty and history are explored in detail with photographs and architectural diagrams. Very few buildings are missed. History of each park is also included giving the reader more than just an architectural lesson, but a journey through the nation's greatest man-made treasures in the nation's greatest natural parks.

No comments about Building a Masterpiece: The Sydney Opera House.

5 comments about The Story of Western Architecture - Revised 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.

1 comments about Living in Amsterdam.

1. To enter some of the most beautiful interiors of a city is a treat and this book has them all (?). City apartements, boats, gardens, country houses, museums... Photos are of best quality. A book to return to again and again to revel in the Dutch style, grand in a relaxed and human scale.
   Later titles in the group "Living in..." do not focus on interiors like this one (and the equally great "Living in Venice" by E Vendrenne) which is a shame in my opinion, beacuse thats what makes them special. Instead you get a more ordinary set of tourist-pictures.

No comments about Architectural Heritage Of Newport.

3 comments about Under Live Oaks: The Last Great Houses of the Old South.

1. I own a 120 year old farmhouse in the South and I am fascinated w/ the history and culture. This book is a JOY! I LOVE reading about the families in the book, the photos are GORGOUS and I have been unable to put this book down! Of all the 'Home' books I've read this is by far my absolute favorite! ENJOY!!!



2. If you like old houses of the South this book has some wonderful pictures. Some interesting photos of the interior rooms with a little bit of personal collections of the families. A great coffe table book. Not deep reading.



3. Both author and photographer of "Under Live Oaks" are English, and their knowledge of the South is distinctly secondhand and second-rate. Seebohm even acknowledges needing a crash course in Southern architecture from a friend! Instead of genuine knowledge and insight, we are offered a gauzy gothic cocktail of Hollywood cliches. (Mix one shot of "Gone With the Wind" with a dash of "Suddenly Last Summer" and a gallon of "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte.") For a beautiful and intelligent book on Southern architecture, try "Architecture of the Old South" by Mills Lane. For photos that shed some light on Southern myths and realities, try "William Eggleston's Guide."

No comments about The Familiar and the Unfamiliar in Twentieth-Century Architecture.

No comments about The New Spirit: Modern Architecture in Vancouver, 1938-1963.