The Annotated Arch: A Crash Course in the History Of Architecture [Paperback]

Carol Strickland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 11, 2001

The Annotated Arch takes architectural history out of the realm of dreary textbooks into a world of dynamic design, succinct page-length essays and instructive sidebars. These graphic devices heighten the reader's ability to retain an impressive amount of information, even through a cursory reading. A brief run-through of the book's captions and sidebars provides a mini crash course in the history of architecture. Incorporating more than 250 illustrations, The Annotated Arch draws on the very elements of architecture to craft a visual and textual approach to the subject that no ordinary textbook could match. From Stonehenge to the Eiffel Tower, from Flippo Brunelleschi to Frank Lloyd Wright, the language of architecture is clarified in five sections.

Everything you always wanted to know about architecture is all right here in The Annotated Arch, which covers architectural wonders from the Stone Age to the Space Age. Presented in a reader-friendly format, this new book enlightens, entertains, and informs with its lively look at architecture.

What's the difference between Doric, Corinthian, and Ionic? Within the 192 illustrated pages of The Annotated Arch, readers will learn all about these distinctive styles--and more. From engineering breakthroughs to cultural history, from biographical anecdotes to analyses of corresponding and clashing styles The Annotated Arch covers all the architectural bases. The book breaks new ground with excerpts from interviews conducted by the author with leading contemporary architects.

This new Annotated book follows Carol Strickland's first volume on art history, The Annotated Mona Lisa. Peppered with sidebars, The Annotated Arch will appeal to anyone who loves architecture or who simply wants to learn more about it in a painless, enjoyable way. It's a great, educational read.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (April 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740710249
• ISBN-13: 978-0740710247
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,312 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carol Strickland has a doctorate in American literature and culture from the University of Michigan. She is the Christian Science Monitor's art critic and contributes feature stories on the arts to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Art and Antiques. She is the author of The Annotated Mona Lisa: A Crash Course in Art History from Prehistoric to Post-Modern (available in an updated edition), The Annotated Arch: A Crash Course in the History of Architecture, The Illustrated Timeline of Art History, The Illustrated Timeline of Western Literature, and monographs on the artists Paul Waldman and Aris Kalaizis. A former college professor who taught courses on literature, American studies, and writing, she is now completing an historical novel set in 6th-century Byzantium. Her screenplays for feature films have won numerous prizes in prestigious script competitions. Carol lives in New York City and Long Island. Her website is http://www.carolcstrickland.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you ever wanted to know about architecture & more, November 30, 2003

By 

Alison Rini (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Annotated Arch: A Crash Course in the History Of Architecture (Paperback)

This book is jam-packed with information, presented in a fascinating, readable manner. The introductory chapter explains the elements of architecture which helps the reader appreciate the extraordinary buildings humans have created through the ages. The chronological progression of the rest of the book's chapters highlights major trends and developments in building styles and materials, demystifying the origins of many of today's structures. The book is just as easy to read straight through, as it zooms along through the history of architecture "from the Stone Age to the Space Age," as it is to locate a topic of particular interest and to start there. The glossary and extensive index make it easy to quickly learn about any one subject, building, or architect, and the numerous sidebars and timelines help the reader understand the context in which a building was created.
The beautiful pictures and interesting stories bring you right to the doorstep of humanity's greatest achievements. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever wondered why a building is considered special, and think it would be a terrific present as well. Enjoy!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introductory Book, November 30, 2007

By 

C M "Bibliophile" (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Annotated Arch: A Crash Course in the History Of Architecture (Paperback)

As an Art History major, and a former Architectural student, I was skeptical when I found this book required for my study abroad course on French Art and Architecture. Generally, I've found that books attempting to cover basic knowledge on such a broad topic are somewhat lacking. However, after the first chapter or two, I was pleasantly surprised with how much information was packed into this entry level architecture manual and how few instances occurred in which I wanted to edit or add to the content. I would certainly suggest this book for entry level courses or course which only require general knowledge of Architecture.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Annotated Arch: History of Architecture, March 18, 2006

By 

Madeleine G. Spangler "yellow dog" (Alpharetta, Ga. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Annotated Arch: A Crash Course in the History Of Architecture (Paperback)

I am teaching Art History and AP Art History this year and this book is invaluable to my students and myself. The students do a seminar type class and this book has provided such a qick reference tool for them when they have one of the artworks to research and teach. The large oversized pages are excellent. This book, along with the Annotated Mona Lisa, are wonderful reviews before the AP test. I am so glad that I found this excellent quick reference tome.