Customer Reviews

The Classical Vernacular: Architectural Principles in an Age of Nihilism

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this book is a collection of essays, but it's a terrific, accessible introduction to classical architecture. it's also an exciting polemic. by the time scruton's done, you're likely to have far less patience for the cant of modern (and post- and neo- and deconstructionist) architecture than you probably had before. part of what scruton argues is that classicism is the language of western architecture; that anything, more or less, can be said in this language; that like all languages it's forever evolving; and that the attempt to forsake it is akin (my image) to forsaking english in order to speak esperanto. it doesn't and won't work. first-rate, fun to read, stimulating. if only more architects, architecture profs, and journalists would read it!