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"An ideal book for the traveller, student of architecture or photographer" --Suite101.com, September 14th 2008
'A great little book for anyone interested in architecture, including dozens of fine engravings with extended captions. A dip-in read and effective I-Spy guide.'
--Western Morning News (January 2010)
'A great pocket-sized aid to understanding the built landscape. Want to know the difference between Gothic and Baroque? A turret and a pinnacle? It's all in here.'
--Independent on Sunday. 5th December 2010
'A great pocket-size aid to understanding the built landscape.' --Independent on Sunday, December 5, 2010
'A great little book for anyone interested in architecture, including dozens of fine engravings with extended captions. A dip-in read and effective I-Spy guide.'
--Western Morning News (January 2010)
'A great pocket-sized aid to understanding the built landscape. Want to know the difference between Gothic and Baroque? A turret and a pinnacle? It's all in here.'
--Independent on Sunday. 5th December 2010
'A great pocket-size aid to understanding the built landscape.' --Independent on Sunday, December 5, 2010
Product Description
This book is a practical primer to looking at architecture and all the elements that are included in buildings, from cornices and friezes to columns and porticos - all facets of buildings are included. Each chapter takes an architectural element and looks at its variety across various historical periods and geographical locations. Examples are shown through dozens of fine engravings with extended captions, creating a dip-in read and an effective I-Spy guide. Additional sections look at the clues offerred by history, geography and religion (with a timeline showing how and where architectural elements have been introduced), and at the significance of the ornaments.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book is arranged into short chapters each of which concentrates on one of the major features common to most buildings: doors, windows, arches, stairs, etc. Each page within each chapter discusses a particular period and how the major feature is distinguished in that period - this gives the book a comfortable predictable rhythm, but does on occasion lead to unnecessary repetition if reading the book cover to cover.
The glossary is sufficient for those of us whose vocabulary does not, at the time of starting the book, incorporate the many arhitectural terms used throughout the book.
The illustrations are engravings not photographs, and at the outset I had my doubts that they would be sufficient but for the most part they effectively illustrate the points being made in the text.
The book does not (at this size it can not) cover architecture in much depth, but it does offer an excellent overview that will inspire the reader to read the buildings they encounter from day to day (either in person or on their TV screens). It may also help the reader to understand why the appearance of some buildings can seem unusual or simply uninteresting.
The glossary is sufficient for those of us whose vocabulary does not, at the time of starting the book, incorporate the many arhitectural terms used throughout the book.
The illustrations are engravings not photographs, and at the outset I had my doubts that they would be sufficient but for the most part they effectively illustrate the points being made in the text.
The book does not (at this size it can not) cover architecture in much depth, but it does offer an excellent overview that will inspire the reader to read the buildings they encounter from day to day (either in person or on their TV screens). It may also help the reader to understand why the appearance of some buildings can seem unusual or simply uninteresting.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Cragoe makes no assumptions about her readers' knowledge of architecture, yet has managed to provide a surprisingly informative yet concise volume.
She begins by illustrating the features which which help us to identify the function and style of buildings and the construction materials. However, most of the volume is devoted to the features (the towers, windows, domes etc) which provide 'clues' to the period and place. Short yet informative paragraphs complement the engravings, which are painstakingly detailed, despite being small.
Much (possibly most) of this volume is devoted to examples which follow classical and church architecture. There are some references to vernacular houses, shops etc, but they are covered in less detail. Nevertheless, this is an exceptional valuable resource, both for those who are involved in the design process, and for lay readers.
She begins by illustrating the features which which help us to identify the function and style of buildings and the construction materials. However, most of the volume is devoted to the features (the towers, windows, domes etc) which provide 'clues' to the period and place. Short yet informative paragraphs complement the engravings, which are painstakingly detailed, despite being small.
Much (possibly most) of this volume is devoted to examples which follow classical and church architecture. There are some references to vernacular houses, shops etc, but they are covered in less detail. Nevertheless, this is an exceptional valuable resource, both for those who are involved in the design process, and for lay readers.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've always been slightly interested in architecture and bought this book hoping to learn something useful. I enjoyed the way the book is structured - describing columns, vaults, windows etc - with each section taking you through the historical development. The problem is, being a small-format book, the illustrations (which are mainly drawings) are small and sometimes drawn flat-on without the benefit of perspective to provide depth. Also, many of the words used in architecture are esoteric and I felt that I was thrown in at the deep-end so had to keep referring to the glossary.
I can imagine that the book would be a good pocket volume for students, but overall, I was frustrated by it. Having been through the book twice I still woudn't feel confident in describing pendentives or volutes. And I really want to be able to do so.
I can imagine that the book would be a good pocket volume for students, but overall, I was frustrated by it. Having been through the book twice I still woudn't feel confident in describing pendentives or volutes. And I really want to be able to do so.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent Book
For any architectural student studying anything about the history of western architecture this book is fantastic. Very very easy to read and the points are clear and precise. Read more
Published 13 months ago by SP
useful
Definitely a reference book, not something you can read & learn. One to try & remember to take with you on a walk in town. Don't like the way the book is arranged. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Firth
Excellent
I know fairly little of architecture, but reading this book has definitely been very interesting and informative. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mstr J. Kleinschmidt
A solid introduction to architecture
A Russian friend asked for a book which would give a solid introduction to western architecture. I understand that he was well pleased and it was just what he had in mind when... Read more
Published on 22 April 2010 by D. A. Wright
architecture
This is the book I've been waiting for - lots of good illustrations to back up the text.
Published on 11 Jun 2009 by D. Fitzgerald
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