No comments about The 'Magnificent Castle' of Culzean and the Kennedy Family.

2 comments about The Virginia Landmarks Register.

1. For this much money and prestige, I expected this book to be everything Richard Guy Wilson's BUILDINGS OF VIRGINIA is and more. Well, it's more... and less. It's more in that its coverage is the entire state, and not limited to the tidewater and the piedmont (as Dr. Wilson's book is). It's less in that its building selection is limited to "landmarks", with a palpable emphasis on rural locations. The essays are more broad and historically contextual than those in Dr. Wilson's book. Also, the editor treats towns and historic districts as entire sites rather than as a collection of cataloged buildings. For example, rather than a treatment of 30 structures in Williamsburg (as could be expected for such an important site), this book offers a detailed view of a very few critical structures (such as Bruton Parish Church and the Randolph House), and a general statement about the "Williamsburg Historic District." This method will seem incomplete to some, and wonderfully concise to others. The book is arranged alphabetically by county (and independent city) name.
   
   Every entry includes a black & white photograph, some good, some just adequate, and some far too old to be of much use today. Quite a few of the sites featured in the book look nothing like their respective photographs (undoubtedly from previous editions) suggest. A section of structures lost or otherwise removed from the Register is good, even though it's sad to see some of those lovely buildings die.
   
   Virginia has an astonishing variety of important, historic architecture. This book treats the ensemble more as a whole than a sum of parts. For readers more interested in depth than breadth, buy Dr. Wilson's book, which is part of the "Buildings of the United States" series. Better yet, buy both. $$$$$$



2. I purchased one of the first editions to the book back in 1995 and have been buying the revised editions ever since. The book is great for history buffs, loyal Virginians, and tourists to the area. Provides a county/city guide to all registered landmarks. It's an excellent gift for someone from Virginia or a Virginia Lover...

4 comments about The American Fire Station.

1. This was good presentation, but limited its scope to typical firehouses. No architectural feat here.



2. I recommend this awesome book to any enthusiast of firefighting or American history. It has over 100 great historical and color photos of fire stations worldwide. I especially like the chapter on famous historic fire stations across the country. There are also sidebars covering topics like The Great Chicago Fire, Collectible Fire Station Models, small one-garage fire stations in rural areas, and the craze of firefighter trading cards. Overall, great pictures, great information, GREAT BOOK!!!



3. This is an excellent book dedicated to the fire station. Both past and present designs are well represented here. This book gives readers a fascinating journey of how a fire station was saved from the wrecking ball; to be moved brick by brick so that others may see the true beauty of this grand fire hall. This book also shows how hard life in the firehouse was. A must read book for all firefighters. There are tons and tons of exciting color photos.



4. This book goes beyond fire house architecture and looks at the men who work there as well. There's a sense of humor looking at some of the absurd buildings fire fighters had to call home, but the research is there. We enjoyed it and reccommend it for anyone interested in fire fighting history.

1 comments about The Drive-In, the Supermarket, and the Transformation of Commercial Space in Los Angeles, 1914-1941.

1. A fascintating look at the cultural history of Los Angeles and the way in which commercial spaces played a part in developing it. A must for anyone that's seriously interested in more than the usual history lesson on Tinsletown. Actually, more than simply Los Angeles, this book gives clues as to how the development of commericial spaces that we've come to take for granted have influenced cultural history across the entire nation, with Los Angeles leading the way in innovation.

2 comments about American Covered Bridges.

1. A great book on Covered Bridges except for the inclusion of one Canadian Bridge, the 45 river bridge in NB Canada. Its not in the US, LOL One mistake in an otherwise good book on historic covered bridges.



2. I AM A COVERED BRIDGE FANATIC AND I HAD THIS BOOK INTER-LIBRARY LOANED FROM MY LOCAL LIBRARY AND I AM GLAD THAT I HAD THE CHANCE TO READ IT! IT HAS BEAUTIFUL PHOTO'S AND NICE STORIES TO GO ALONG WITH THE PHOTO'S ! PLUS UNDER EACH PHOTO THEY TELL YOU WHERE EACH BRIDGE IS LOCATED SO IF YOU ARE LIKE I AM WHO TRAVELS AND TRY'S TO FIND BRIDGES THIS IS VERY HELPFUL!! SO I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ALL COVERED BRIDGE FANATICS!!! READ AND ENJOY!!

3 comments about Antoni Gaudi [SPANISH EDITION].

1. No one who has ever ranted at the unimaginative architectural desert of any given major city of the world can resist the sheer originality and genius of Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona must be the luckiest city in the world!

   The book gives a brief introduction to the life of the artist (including the tragic way he died), but the bulk of the book focuses on his major works, from his first commission, the tile palace Casa Vicens to the famous still unfinished Sagrada Familia. Beautiful photographs of interiors as well as exteriors are supported by a descriptive prose. What I enjoyed most were the details of furniture, specially designed fittings (stained glass windows, lamps, tiles) and of course the colourful mosaics which feature on several projects. And what Gaudi does with the arch structure is truly reverent!

   The only other artist I know of who does such amazing things with building forms is Hundertwasser - but I think it is clear that Gaudi's formal architectural training has given his designs an edge of superiority. He plays with form and structure with incredible confidence, and the results are not just interesting for their novelty, but also that this 'art' is actually practical, and amazingly conforms to the laws of physics!

   I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to vicariously enjoy the beauty and innovation of Gaudi. It can serve as a reminder for those lucky enough to have seen the buildings - and for the rest of us, another reason to visit Barcelona in the future.




2. No one who has ever ranted at the unimaginative architectural desert of any given major city of the world can resist the sheer originality and genuis of Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona must be the luckiest city in the world!

   The book gives a brief introduction to the life of the artist (including the tragic way he died), but the bulk of the book focuses on his major works, from his first commission, the tile palace Casa Vicens to the famous still unfinished Sagrada Familia. Beautiful photographs of interiors as well as exteriors are supported by a descriptive prose. What I enjoyed most were the details of furniture, specially designed fittings (stained glass windows, lamps, tiles) and of course the colourful mosaics which feature on several projects. And what Gaudi does with the arch structure is truly reverant!

   I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to vicariously enjoy the beauty and innovation of Gaudi. It can serve as a reminder for those lucky enough to have seen the buildings - and for the rest of us, another reason to visit Barcelona in the future.




3. I visited Barcelona this summer on a day trip from our family holiday in Costa Dorada. I was drawn mainly by the opportunity to see first hand the amazing works of art by Antoni Gaudi which I had heard about since childhood. I was not disappointed and my wife and kids loved it too. I just didn't have enough time to see everything I wanted to, so when I came home I wanted to buy a book with great photos and a bit of explanation for the layman. This book certainly does that although as a layman I don't know what serious students of architecture would make of it

No comments about Total Quality in the Construction Supply Chain.

1 comments about Free Expression: House Design : Edward R. Niles (House Design, 4).

1. Edward Niles is a remarkable architect. His Meier House in Malibu, California, is a stunning achievement.

No comments about The Historic Churches of Prince Edward Island.

1 comments about Virginia's Historic Courthouses.

1. The Peters took their avocation of loving and studying Virginia architecture and combined it with their vocation as historian and photographer to create this great resource. If you are the kind of person who wants to know the real details behind Virginia public architecture, this is the text to have on your shelf. You get an insider's play book into Thomas Jefferson's inspiration and influence, and which of his builders worked on what projects and why. You also get the nitty gritty of what the battles were like leading up to the structures becoming a reality. The color photos by John Peters are calendar quality, and even if you are not a Virginian, they crisply illustrate how the Old Dominion influenced municipal and governmental architecture all over the country,and maybe even in your own town or state.