2 comments about Moderne: Fashioning the French Interior.

1. This is a beatiful addition to the library of anyone interested in art, interior design or the history of both. Together, Sarah Schleuning and Jeremy Aynsley present an interesting history of the pochoir technique - a method of creating coloured illustrations of an interior designers intent. Full of charming full colour pochoir illustrations of the work of France's finest designers, its as fascinating as it is inspirational.



2. This is a fabulous book not intended for the lay person. The illustrations of French deco rooms is a very welcome change from super-staged photography that's all the rage these days in interior design books and mags. This reminds me of the wonderful fashion illustrations that have bitten the dust over the years (since the 60's) to be replaced by styled-to-death prepubescents in haute couture. It's wonderful to see something so beautifully done by hand get a chance. Buy it immediately if not sooner!!
   Stylemaven

4 comments about The Owner-Built Adobe House.

1. This book tries to cover every aspect of building a house instead of focusing on the details that are particular to building with adobe. I would have prefered the author refer me to other books and reference material for surveying, electrical, plumbing, etc. It is impossible for anyone to do a thorough coverage of all aspects of building so why try.



2. Great book. It has excellent drawings and photographs. It is a good basic manual for adobe building.



3. good book for the beginner, but very little in the book for those in need of advanced adobe info.



4. If you are going to build you own adobe home, this is a great book for the first time adobe builder.

   Had details on all aspects of the house. From electrical to pouring bricks to septic. Details as in the formula for a perk test, and footing sizes for load weights.

   I have a lot of adobe books, this is second "good" one I have seen.

   Very good.

5 comments about Basilica: The Splendor and the Scandal: Building St. Peter's.

1. As long as you don't approach the book expecting a definitive summary of 150 years of church history, it's an entertaining and fascinating read. I enjoyed the personal portraits of the characters in the book. It's the first book I read in Kindle, and I suspect I might have enjoyed the printed diagrams of the basilica more than the digital version, which I found difficult to read and impossible to enlarge.



2. This book was more than I had hoped for, and it made a very easy read. I couldn't put it down and hated for it to end. I will buy more books from this author.



3. I am disappointed in this book. The author's scattershot presentation of a subject that should be fascinating leaves this reader longing for either a scholarly approach or a personal one. This book tries to mix the two.



4. This book might better be termed an "epic" as opposed to a mere history, since it is a kind of saga in architecture that is as action packed as any in the history of art. First of all there is the cast of characters: Pope Julius II, Michaelangelo, Agostino Chigi (banker to the pope) Raphael, Bramante, Leo X, Paul III, Sixtus V, Paul V, Urban VIII, and finally Bernini. Any tale that packs in these powerful personalities is bound to frought with conflict and conflict there is. What is perhaps the most interesting thing about this book is just how the idea of what St Peters would become changed over time depending upon a variety of factors, mainly human ones. Scotti is not able to show us just the splender and scandal, but the changes in design that caused St Peter's to be one of the most expensive buildings ever to construct.
   
   The expense associated with the building was met by the sale of indulgences which as most people know led to the Protestant Reformation. It is rare that a building can change history before it is even built, but it happened and Scotti lays it all out for the reader in a very becoming manner.
   
   While this book does not shed any new light on the building of St Peters and many of the events have been recounted elsewhere, I do not think that the entire story has ever been presented in a more entertaining manner. Scotti knows how to tell a story and tell it well. If you are planning a trip to Rome or have been to Rome, this book will be an eye-opener.



5. This is a chatty, informative and thoroughly researched book about the construction of St. Peter's Basilica. It gives a wonderful insight into the lives of the popes, the artists and the architects of the largest church in the world. I learned a lot and it was a great read.

5 comments about Churches.

1. I rated this a 2 because it's a '4' for style with a 'minus 2' for being intellectually dishonest.
   
   Dishonest - because the author has wrapped her book in examples of traditional form and beauty, but the package inside discloses an iconoclastic agenda for church architecture.
   
   A powerful example of her iconoclasm is evident in her treatment of the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The church is reknowned for its adornment with mosaics, yet she fails to depict or even make mention of the monumental mosaic of 'Christ in Majesty,' the largest mosaic of Christ in the world. The author's refusal to depict and discuss the architectural focal point of the basilica diminishes her own point of view.
   
   In her narratives about her selections of modern church architecture she is always completely positive in her treatment. In contrast, her narratives about the traditional Catholic churches repeatedly include some type of negative critique of the Catholic Church or Catholic culture. As the author identifies herself as Catholic she positions herself as a sort of 'inspector general' prosecuting her own brethren.
   
   She could never get people to publish or buy a coffee table book on modern church architecture.
   
   So - she appropriates the beauty of the traditional Church forms - and uses that as a platform to praise formless modern churches. Some of those which she presents do have a peculiar beauty - but these typically are cold and uninviting - some are pretentious - even repulsive. The spawn of these modern archetypes are mediocre and ugly, and a typical example is her own parish church depicted at the end of her book.
   
   In sum - the author doesn't seem to appreciate the beauty of enduring church forms - instead - she seems infatuated with the novelty of modern architecture.



2. I am very glad I purchased this book.
   
   There is a wide range of eras and styles covered, and the photos are superb. The architecture and artwork is the focus, but the author never loses sight of the fact that these are places of worship and sanctuary.
   
   I was quite pleased that the book included an unusual Oriental church and a few others that were unconventional.
   
   The only thing that kept it from getting 5 stars was that I wished it had included at least one old-fashioned country chapel/church (stone or wood/timbered) and also that it had included the ancient church at Brixworth (which, if my memory serves, was built in the 700's and is the oldest still-standing church in England)--it's beautiful as well as historic.



3. I purchased this for my mom a couple of years ago. She loves to travel Europe, is interested in history and religion, and likes art and architecture. This book was the absolute perfect gift (if I do say so myself), and just so happens to be one I grab now and again whenever I visit my parents. Other "coffee table" books have come and gone, but this one constantly bobs back to the top of the proverbial stack.
   
   The photography is wonderful, and the text descriptions are no slouch, either, offering a great historical perspective on each church and its locale. The variety of churches is quite admirable, as well, covering most continents and many denominations (christian and unitarian, just so you know...no mosques or temples here, unfortunately - but that would be a 500 page compendium, not this more specialized look).
   
   For any afficionado of religion, art, or architecture, this book will be pored over and enjoyed quite vigorously. I can't recommend it enough.



4. The pictures are great, and the recapitulation of the history that follows the construction of these structures is wonderful. This is no small book. The length is over 16 inches and the width is over 12 inches. Thus, the pictures featured here have greater impact on the reader than other books which display smaller images with details that are barely perceivable. The author must have known this to have made the size of this book an issue before the "print" phase came along.



5. Book has many fine pictures, and an innovative format, highlighting multiple photographers capturing a wide variety of Churches worldwide. Clear, hi-definitition pictures of one church are followed by archived material, giving a full range of historical impressions of these fine churches. Nearly a masterpiece.

No comments about Hospital Architecture.

1 comments about The Production of Houses (Center for Environmental Structure Series).

1. If, after reading Christopher Alexander's earlier books, you were wondering if he ever actually built a house in the real world, here's your answer. Yes, he did. Yes, the people owning the houses love the results. Yes, they feel the special connection with their homes that is the hallmark of Alexander's ideas. No, the powers that be, who agreed to temporarily suspend building codes for his project, were not happy with the results. Why? Because they look funny, and because he built five homes instead of five hundred. Well, if they'd read his other books, they would not have been surprised. Our intrepid hero is quite unsparing of himself - you can see his delight as his ideas work, and his horror when they don't.

   I believe that Christopher Alexander is dead on in saying that the system he created is a better way to build homes, indeed a far superior way to do so. However, I can't say the official reaction to this project is encouraging. After the first five homes were built, the bureaucrats came in, stopped the project and sent our intrepid hero packing. You can tell from the ending of the book that this reaction spooked Alexander, and I can't blame him. A revolutionary system of construction, he says, antagonizes pretty much everyone. But it will triumph, he proclaims!

   It looks like it didn't, but I see increasing awareness of his ideas in more recent architectural books, so hopefully all is not lost. Despite the ultimate outcome, this is a brilliant book from an inspired thinker. You probably want to start with The Timeless Way of Building and A Pattern Language before tackling this one, but if you liked his earlier works, this is an excellent, real-world counterpoint.

No comments about Black & Decker Building Porches & Patios (Black & Decker).

No comments about Industrial Design: Materials and Manufacturing Guide.

No comments about Casa de campo: En Colombia.

1 comments about Circle Houses: Yurts, Tipis and Benders (House That Jack Built).

1. I thought the book gave an excellent description of yurts and tipis from a historical perspective and present day use. Its gives case studies/examples of people who current live in these types of unique dwellings. We added a couple of yurts to our North Georgia bed and breakfast inn. We have witnessed some of the feelings first hand that our guests have had that were also mentioned in the book by yurt dwellers.