5 comments about Sir Banister Fletcher's A History of Architecture. ( Twentieth Edition ).

1. I purchased this book for my daughter as a Christmas gift. She works for an architecture firm and specializes in historic preservation. She has wanted this book for years but it is pricey and she did not feel she could purchase it for herself. She is extremely pleased with book and would recommend it to anyone that is interested in the history of architecture.



2. Without a doubt, this text is the Quintessential Gold Standard for introductory Western Architecture. A must have for anybody who is serious about learning about how Western Architecture has evolved over time, and with little if any bias. Its only weak area is with architectural development in Asia and South/Central Meso America. Other than that, this is my third copy of the text and it just keeps getting better. Believe me when I say, this is one book you may never want to loan out, for it may not get returned. I know, it's happened to me once already.



3. Mine is a new 1975 edition (which was a small fraction of the new price). It is as much a history of the world--and an incredibly detailed one--as a history of architecture. It opens each of its 40 chapters with a discussion of a civilization or era, then describes the buildings very matter-of-factly. Sometimes opinions emerge: Louis Kahn is cited as an example of a flash-in-the-pan; FLLW's Guggenheim is criticized as impractical.
   
   The photos are top quality B/W, often very old. Its real strength is early architecture; by chapter 35, it is only finishing up the Renaissance. The authors are so knowledgeable, the writing so polished after 18 editions, all others pale by comparison.
   
   I don't think there's much of a market for these books outside of libraries, but those who read it will marvel at its erudition.



4. For over a century, this has been THE classic study of the history of architecture. It is a work of art in it's own right and worth owning simply for the joy of hefting it's not inconsiderable weight and browsing once in a while - even as a layman. The text is extraordinarily readable and the illustrations are a delight. It's so packed full of information - believe me, even if you have only a limited interest in architecture you will learn a great deal that will surprise you from this book! Enthusiasts for classical and other older branches of architecture may wish to consider purchasing second-hand copies of older editions - they're somehow nicer, and devote less space to the debased modern form of the art. (Yes, I'm biased and proud of it!:) Of a reasonable collection of architectural history books, (including several larger-format, beautifully-illustrated coffee-table books in the modern style)this book is easily my favourite. It has class, style and above all, character. Buy it!



5. If there ever was a book on the history of architecture this is it! So very well documented with numerous pictures and chronologies. Wow! the mother of all architecture books-well worth the price.

3 comments about Buildings of Earth and Straw: Structural Design for Rammed Earth and Straw-Bale Architecture.

1. Learn how to build with earth, and straw. The one thing I didn't like about the book is that there are no photo's of finished projects.



2. This book educates the lay builder of "earth and straw" about the technical side of the mentioned building methods. This technical lingo is explained clearly for the person's understanding. This book bridges the gap between building inspetors and the "alternative" builder by increasing the technical knowledge of basic building structures and forces.



3. This book is definitely the funniest structural engineering book I have ever read. It is also useful for the professional, intelligible to the general reader, and attractively illustrated. King includes California's straw bale code, a comprehensive wish list for further testing, and a useful list of references for both stabilized earth and straw bale. Included are equations for the engineer who is ready to start designing right now, and a glossary for the lay reader who isn't quite sure of some of the terms. A valuable book which is also enjoyable to read. This is not always true of engineering texts!

No comments about Invitation to Vernacular Architecture: A Guide to the Study of Ordinary Buildings and Landscapes (Perspectives in Vernacular Architecture).

1 comments about LARE Review Section B Practice Problems: Inventory, Analysis, and Program Development, 2nd ed..

1. I waited to review this book until after I wrote the exam. I felt that the format of the questions was helpful, but that it didn't adequately cover all the material being tested. There seemed to be some very specific questions on zoning, nothing on Quadrangles and townships as the book suggests.
   
   Overall, I would probably purchase it again, because it did have some useful information, but use it more as a starting point for your studying- see where you are weak and go to other sources for your information.

5 comments about Interior Design Reference Manual: A Guide to the NCIDQ Exam.

1. I'm studying to take the NCIDQ and this book is a great tool. Each chapter gives a thorough review of each section in the NCIDQ and then asks you sample questions so you can quiz yourself. The best part is the answers to the sample questions because it gives the explanation of why the answer is correct and why the other options were not. Very helpful because several questions make it hard to choose the best answer between 2 choices. It will also be a great tool for everyday use afer the exam for quick reference on projects.



2. I wanted this book so I ordered it and got it in a matter of days. It was new and in great condition. Thanks.



3. This reference manual should be a must read for all design students and new designers. I have been in the business about 12 years and I have learned some new items from this book. It does scare you about the industry and the liability a designer has.



4. THIS IS A GREAT RESOURCE! ALMOST REFERENCES ALL THE OTHER BOOKS ON THE NCIDQ STUDY LIST. THIS COULD BE THE ONLY BOOK YOU NEED TO READ TO STUDY.



5. Exam Sections I, II, & III correspond to the three exams that are administered to Interior Design license candidates, a requirement in the State of Illinois.

No comments about The State of Architecture at the Beginning of the 21st Century (Columbia Books of Architecture).

5 comments about Golf Course Architecture: Design, Construction & Restoration.

1. Starts off very well with the hope that it will get more technical but instead becomes more theoretical in areas such as aesthetics and fine art, areas which the author seems to not have a background in. ie, his discussion of perception, symmetry and balance etc. If you can skip the middle chapters its not bad but again I had hoped for more technical insights. Perhaps I needed a book on golf course construction. I just assumed from architecture courses that construction issues and recommendations as well as more detail of layout relative to game play would be discussed.



2. This is one of five best technical books I ever found. As a beginner in golf course design, I found in this book all I needed to realize my projects.



3. This is a fascinating book for any golf enthusiast or historian, as well as an essential practical resource for anyone actively involved in golf course design, construction and maintenance.

   The design process progresses from the green to the individual hole to the entire course. Detailed technical information is well integrated with aesthetic and theoretical concepts making the entire book interesting & readable.

   The book is packed with color photos of individual holes to illustrate design concepts, sites under construction and wonderful historical documents. The technical drawings & plans are well done and very useful.

   This book is a great example of making a technical manual a joy to read. Any golfer who appreciates the background of the course he or she is playing on will love it.




4. This book is filled with wonderful pictures from cover to cover. An incredible collection of the worlds most famous golf courses and designers.



5. Simply an outstanding look at the fascinating process of taking a piece of land and sculpting a chapmionship layout. A step-by-step process that details the many intricacies and disciplines involved in creating a golf course. Any golfer will more fully appreciate the not only what they see on a course, but also what they "don't" see. The photos and illustrations are plentiful and precise in leading one through each phase of construction. Must reading for an serious student of the game. Kevin Burke

1 comments about On Weathering: The Life of Buildings in Time.

1. This book provides a fresh new approach on how architects and/or designers should view the use of materials. The ingeneous approach on how the natural weathering process of materials can be a phenomenon that may enrich a material's physical property, provides a great insightful approach for a 'responsible' use of materials in architecture. This book is a MUST read for all those architecture students that have a great interest in materials.

1 comments about The Living Tradition of Maria Martinez.

1. SOME OF SHE WORKS IN CERAMIC

1 comments about LARE Review Section D Practice Problems: Design and Construction Documentation, 2nd ed..

1. These books are not particularly helpful for the 2008 tests, as far as giving an indication of what is actually covered. They are really only useful in providing an idea of how the questions are worded. Study Time Saver Standards and focus on stormwater management.