Customer Reviews

Architecture: From Pre-history to Postmodernism (Trade Version)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For the past five years I have used this book to teach beginning architecture students - the first two semesters of a three-semester survey - and found the parts that I use (pre-19th century) very valuable, although the discussion of post-Medieval Spanish architecture was weak. My major complaint, however, is the absence of any maps! There should be several of them - one for each major section of the book.

As a university student of art history and a visual thinker, I especially appreciate the dedication of Hyman and Trachtenberg to explicitly revealing the form and function of Western architecture, past and present. Organized by historic period and region, this survey clearly traces the flux of cultural aesthetics and developing technical advances in architectural construction since ancient times. Text, diagrams, and both color and black/white images are married to full effect, illuminating not only the means by which builders chose to erect monuments and structures, but more importantly, the attendant human values their achievements represent. Of all the books purchased for my schoolwork, this one stands out for its breadth, painstaking attention to detail, and egalitarian treatment of successive time periods. This classic reference book lends a fluency to the understanding of architectural dialogue and, as such, should be a cornerstone of any serious architectural library.

This book is an excellent blend of factual information, ease of understanding, and philosophical insight for the beginning student of architecture. There are other books which offer more information and/or insight, but few which are as good for the uninitiated.

I used this book for an arch. history class I took. The text is useful and the pictures are beautiful.

i had used this book for a survey history course on architecture. since we only learn about european architecture at nyit, i didnt get to use the book much, almost a waste a money, but the pictures we seen in class were taken from the book were great.

I want more color

I find My Antonia as a very boring, long book. The thing I enjoyed most about the book, not to mention the only thing, was how the characters were very in touch with their surroundings and nature. Little things in the land brought so much emotion and attitude to the characters. Besides this good characteristic everything else was very boring and told the childhood and early life of two average people. I do not recommend this book to anyone except for the extremely bored naturistic person out there.