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The Architecture of Happiness
 
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The Architecture of Happiness (Hardcover)

by Alain De Botton (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Pantheon Books (3 Oct 2006)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0375424431
  • ISBN-13: 978-0375424434
  • Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 15.7 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 815,161 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

10 Reviews
5 star:
 (6)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars All architecture students should read, 15 Jun 2006
By Andrew (Bath, England, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Architecture of Happiness (Hardcover)
This book can be considered a well balanced guide to the major philosophical and theoretical debates which affect every architect-in-training in forming their own opinions and which have been debated over the past centuries. Everything from "what is archtitecture" downwards.

Contains just enough of each point of view to enable ideas to be formed, or to guide further research, without telling you what to think. Its a composition rather than a manifesto. Every ten pages or so there is a gem of a quote. And just as you start thinking, "but what does that mean for..." you turn the page and there it is, with quotes and references and everything you need to start making up your own mind.

If as an undergrad you're only likely to read one book on theory this year, and want to avoid becoming a specialist on [insert obscure german author your tutor wants an essay on], read this for the whole picture. Its really accessibly written too. And has pictures (good heavens!). And big margins.
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63 of 74 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The Literature of Redemption, 23 April 2006
By P. Badham "Book Mite" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Architecture of Happiness (Hardcover)
Botton has often flirted dangerously with a reputation for pretension, fortunately assuaged by his fresh combination of genuine erudition and earthy humour, plus his extraordinarily lucid written style. However, after the wonderfully fluffy 'Art of Travel', his humour deserted him with 'Status Anxiety' , a book which managed to frivolously embroider basic assumptions with faux-sophisticated connections with art and economics.

'The Architecture of Happiness' happily restores Botton's status of benign self-help guru. Still lacking in the humour of earlier works, this volume makes some genuinely profound statements on virtue and beauty as applied to our exteriors and interiors. It is still written in Botton's academic, philanthropic tone and is a real page-turner too.

Recommended.


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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Not the best but overall a very good summary of architectural ideas!!, 4 Oct 2009
By Mr. A. Singh (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Architecture of Happiness (Paperback)
Being an architect student, i was looking to expand my knowledge on architecture and also wanted to see this from a philosopher's point of view. I found that De Botton is very knowledgeable in this subject and has a good understanding of architecture. However some chapter's were more useful than others, a very easy read and very interesting. But i read this after i read "Space and the Architect" by Herman Hertzberger, which is much more helpful to architecture students and everyone in general
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars great book, shame about the pictures
for fans of Alain de Botton's, this book will be just the kind of delightful stuff we've come to expect from him - intelligent, well writen stuff and ideas with which one cannot... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Shopaholique

5.0 out of 5 stars What's underneath our ideas about architecture and design?
Alain de Botton probes deeply into our thoughts and ideas about the buildings around us with amazing clarity. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Jennifer Sundberg

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable blend of philosophy, architecture and personal reflection
de Botton provides wonderful insights into philosophy and the built environment. I really enjoy his personal observations and the blend of pictures, formal "academic" text and... Read more
Published 9 months ago by A. R. Jones

5.0 out of 5 stars The author reflects on architecture
Considering the significance of architecture, the author remarks that beautiful houses falter as guarantors of happiness and can also be accused of failing to improve the... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Philippe Horak

5.0 out of 5 stars The Consolations of Architecture!
The title obviously alludes to a previous book by the charismatic author entitled 'The Consolations of Philosophy'. Read more
Published on 16 Jun 2007 by Serghiou Const

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly thought provoking
I have only put this book down to write this review. Love it and love Alain de Botten. Everything he talks about provokes more philosophical questions which he is sure to discuss... Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2006 by S. Mason

3.0 out of 5 stars Quite Happy
Was a little disappointed that all of the photographs were in black and white. Considering the RRP cover price you would expect them to be in colour.
Published on 23 May 2006 by Mel

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