AIA Guide to Chicago [Paperback]

Alice Sinkevitch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 2004

Completely revised and updated, AIA Guide to Chicago, Second Edition is the liveliest and most wide-ranging guide ever written about Chicago's architecture. More than a thousand individual buildings are featured, along with more than four hundred photos-many taken expressly for this volume-and thirty-five specially commissioned maps. The book is arranged geographically so that the user, whether Chicago citizen or visitor, can tour each area of the city as conveniently as possible. Building descriptions focus on the illuminating-but easily overlooked-details that give the behind-the-scenes, often unexpected story of why a building took the shape it did. And in the best Chicago tradition, this guide does not shy away from opinions where opinions are called for.

Comprehensively researched, meticulously written, and more than thorough.

Editorial Reviews

Review

PRAISE FOR AIA GUIDE TO CHICAGO
“Excellent.An exhaustive source of information about local architecture.”
—THE NEW YORK TIMES
“Editor Alice Sinkevitch and a leggy team of scholars and strollers
take us far beyond the usual trite salutes to Sears Tower, theWrigley
Building and the like. . . . A many-voiced celebration of the rich
flavors of Chicago architecture.”—CHICAGO TRIBUNE

From the Back Cover

"The AIA Guide to Chicago does far more than merely catalog structures of stone, steel and glass. It opens a portal on the city's soul, revealing how architects came to create the classy urban sightscape that so defines the everyday experience of Chicago. I found it devilishly useful."-Erik Larson, author of Devil in the White City

Chicago is justly celebrated as the birthplace of modern architecture, and the AIA Guide to Chicago has long been the premier guide to the city. Arranged for walking or driving tours and featuring more than a thousand buildings, more than four hundred photos, and thirty-five maps, this is an invaluable tool for anyone with an interest in architecture, in urban design, and in what makes Chicago the stunning architectural city it is.

Praise for AIA Guide to Chicago, First Edition
"Excellent. An exhaustive source of information about local architecture."-The New York Times
"A many-voiced celebration of the rich flavors of Chicago architecture, the delights on the side streets as well as the landmarks that make the history books."-Chicago Sun Times
"If you've ever needed a good excuse to take a walk around a Chicago neighborhood or study a particularly noteworthy building, this should provide the perfect push out the door." -Chicago Tribune

Edited by Alice Sinkevitch, Honorary American Institute of Architects, previously affiliated with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, is the executive director of the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

In collaboration with: American Institute of Architects, Chicago Architecture Foundation, and Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois

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Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books; 2nd edition (April 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156029081
• ISBN-13: 978-0156029087
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but Chicago deserves better, January 26, 2008

By 

Jon L. Albee "Faulkner Wannabe" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AIA Guide to Chicago (Paperback)

Limited to the Chicago city limits and Oak Park, the selection of buildings is good, but certainly not exhaustive (Evanston would have been a nice addition). Since commercial architecture is so important to Chicago history, there is a palpable emphasis on these structures, particularly Chicago's early modern skyscapers. Readers with an interest in churches, universities, and other grand public buildings may find the coverage spotty, and the author's tone a bit flippant.

The book is in standard AIA format, with short essays for each entry, some including a small photograph. In fact, the major flaw with this book, in my opinion, is the lack of effective photography. There's a photograph for, perhaps, one out of every ten building entries, and the entries that do include photos are often not that interesting. One tries to come away from this book with a mental image of Chicago, derived from the text, but with little assistance from photography. There are also more than a few entries that include no text, simply the building name, address, date and architect. Keep your favorite internet map program handy.

There are so many magnificent things to see in Chicago, it's a shame this guide doesn't much help us to see them. That (critical) matter aside, it's a solid and important addition to the AIA-sponsored series.

5.0 out of 5 stars AIA Guide to Chicago, March 15, 2011

By 

greenwright - See all my reviews

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This review is from: AIA Guide to Chicago (Paperback)

It has been long a waited publication and is definitely the best introducing the important Chicago School of Architectures and architectural guide to general public as well.

4.0 out of 5 stars Chicago guide, December 14, 2010

By 

joacas - See all my reviews

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This review is from: AIA Guide to Chicago (Paperback)

Exhaustive guide with a lot of information, maybe too much for someone who is going to Chicago for only a couple of days.