2 comments about A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Western North Carolina (The Richard Hampton Jenrette Series in Architecture and the Decorative Arts).

1. As with the other titles in this series by Bishir, they just don't get any better. The three books together offer a complete survey of historic architecture in North Carolina. There are many small black and white photographs included, good maps, essays that place the structures in historical context, addresses and precise dating, all grouped by county and organized around the principal towns in each. Many an AIA guide attempts this format and falls far short.
   
   I liked this series so much I bought it twice--one to save and one to use.



2. This is a book of wonder and revelation, illuminating the history and splendor of one of America's most magical regions. It will make you want to learn more and more and then drive the Blue Ridge Parkway.

No comments about Architecture of the Old South: South Carolina.

2 comments about The Houses of St. Augustine, 1565-1821 (A Florida Sand Dollar Book).

1. This book is written for the average person to understand, it makes sense and yet has enough detail to reconstruct a house from history.

   This book is so highly regarded it is the basis of St. Augustine City codes regarding Historic Architecture preservation and restoration and will continue the tradition of Colonial St. Augustine. Not just for the novice, also for the historian, architect or builder.




2. St. Augustine is a fascinating architectural anamoly in the United States. I have become consumed with discovering all there is to know about the unique architecture, people and culture of this quaint city. Only last weekend, we spent 5 days, walking and touring much of the historic district, with this book in hand, I might add. If European and American history and architecture are a passion of yours, St. Augustine is the closest, most unique place to find it all. This book is a great place to begin.

No comments about Lifestyles Nature & Architecture: Mexican Weekend Homes (Lifestyle, Nature & Architecture).

1 comments about Private Jokes, Public Places.

1. The driving force behind my purchase of this book was after I watched 2 live performances of Private Jokes Public Places in New York City. As an architect, I can relate to the struggles the main character was dealing with. The choice of words and double-meaning sentences by Oren Safdie made this book appealing and interesting to both the architecture world and the layman's world. It parallels in a metaphoric way, the life of an architecture grad student, with the struggles of a foreigner transplanted to a new country, a female in a male-dominated profession, a political underdog in a topdog's world, and all other situations of what real life is about. I recommend this for those in architecture because it will inspire. I recommend this for the architect because it will make you remember what it's like to be in studio crits again. Lastly, I recommend this for those who are not in architecture nor architects because it will help you gain perspective on the craziness of the profession, not to mention have a few laughs along the way.

No comments about The Parthenon: Illustrations, Introductory Essay, History, Archeological Analysis, Criticism (Norton Critical Studies in Art History).

5 comments about A History of Russian Architecture.

1. I suppose I was set up for disappointment by the four 5-star reviews, so this is to balance those out - Actually, I'd give this a three and a half, mainly because I am used to books where at least the majority of the reproductions are in colour. This is the pitfall of buying unseen off the internet, and I think that disappointment for me is the main reaction for many art books purchased this way. In this volume, everthing is in black and white with the exception of five or six inserts each with maybe fifteen or twenty buildings featured in colour. That said, the text is readable, and from the little I know of Russian architecture, comprehensive. Just be aware of the pictures being mainly in black and white.



2. A wonderful book on a fascinating subject. Russian architecture is so varied, I really had no idea and this book is exhaustingly thorough. I especially enjoyed the section on Imperial Russian Architecture and the later Soviet Architecture. It is obvious how Speer influenced Soviet architecture, his Third Reich Berlin may have never been realized, but his spirit it is alive and well in Soviet buildings. If you have any interest in Russia or architecture or just well researched, scholarly books, then i cant imagine you being disappointed.



3. THIS BOOK IS PHAT. IT'S FAT TOO. IT'S A HUGE FAT BOOK FULL OF WONDERFUL COLOR AND B&W PHOTOS OF ALL KINDS OF CHURCHES, MONASTARIES, AND ALL THAT JAZZ. I'M STILL KIND OF INTIMIDATED BY IT THOUGH, JUST BECAUSE OF IT'S SIZE. I THINK IT'LL TAKE ME A COUPLE YEARS TO 'REALLY' GET THROUGH IT. MANY OF THE PICTURES, AT LEAST THE COLOR ONES, ARE FULL PAGE SIZED. THE PICTURE QUALITIES ARE VERY GOOD AND THE SUBJECT MATTER OF COURSE IS AWESOME. I LOVE HOW THESE ARCHITECTS WERE THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX. SOME OF THESE CHURCHES MAKE NOTRE DAME LOOK BORING.



4. Russian architecture is not well known to Western readers. Prof. Brumfield is a prolific and systematical writer about Russian architecture. Reviewing book is the best modern book in English about a history of Russian architecture. The book covers whole periods of a long history of the glorious Russian architecture. Author have visited Russia several times and most of pictures made by author and that also makes his approach more unique and personal. Text, pictures and references are very impressive and higly professional. As a systematical desription of history of Russian architecture (data base) it is close to classical Grabar's work History of Russian Culture (in Russian). The book creates a solid basement for building a theory of Russian architecture with discussion its origin, its unique stylistic features and factors which influence the development of Russian architecture. Prof. Brumfield's book established a golden standard for any other attempt to write a book about a history of Russian architecture (in Russian or in English). I have this book and I am treating it as a my national treasure. Everybody who are interested in the architecture and/or Russian architecture must buy this excellent, beautiful, well written, highly informative and richly illustrated book.



5. I studied under Brumfield at Tulane, with this book as the main text for study. He employs strong, fluid writing to encompass a millenium of russian expression and turmoil. The book does not lose its sense of history. A decisive book for any interested.

No comments about Villas and Gardens of Tuscany.

No comments about Arata Isozaki.

No comments about Windsor Ablaze!: The Windsor Castle Fire and Restoration.