A History of the Future [Hardcover]

Donna Goodman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 2008

The political, social, and economic upheaval of the early twentieth century generated an extraordinary range of proposals for the future as successive generations grappled with issues of organizing vast urban systems and humanizing dense industrial environments. As conceptual design became the vehicle for exploring ideas and presenting new movements, a dialogue between technology and design began to emerge.

A History of the Future explores the impact of modern technology on design and planning, beginning with Renaissance concepts that laid the foundations for modern visionary work and concluding with emerging projects in sustainable design. It also includes relevant projects in related fields, such as film, photography, and industrial design.

Profusely illustrated, A History of the Future is a visual survey of the heroic, utopian, and occasionally misguided visions of the twentieth century.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A History of the Future, by Donna Goodman, exhibits a thoroughly researched, chronological history of architecture that should satisfy everyone—from the newly curious to the most erudite of design enthusiasts."
—Sophie Dawson, Vanity Fair

"A History of the Future is already an essential book for historians in many fields (culture, ideas, literature, science, and technology), as well as a very stimulating study of modernity itself . . . [Donna Goodman's] lavish book should be ranked in the category 'history of ideas.'"
—Southwest Journal of Cultures

About the Author

Donna Goodman has taught architecture and urban planning for more than twenty years at prestigious design schools including Pratt Institute, Parsons School of Design at the New School, Rhode Island School of Design, and New York University. Her architectural practice focuses on sustainable design. The author lives in New York.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: The Monacelli Press (November 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158093207X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580932073
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 1 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,015,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-Written Engaging History of Design, July 4, 2009

By 

Brynnie J Goodwill "Brynnie" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of the Future (Hardcover)

This book is a fascinating, well-researched history of the relationship between design, technology, and environmental changes. It is thoughtful, well-presented, and a pleasure to read. It examines the impact on architecture and planning of the industrial revolution, the automobile, space, media and information ages, and other technological eras. The book also explains how World War II transformed product design, impacted filmmaking styles, and led to the invention of new materials. The illustrations are excellent; the writing is scholarly and at the same time thoroughly accessible to the reader. The material provides a modern understanding of design history and brings the reader through to the present with the challenges and possibilities of the environment age. Highly recommended. Inspirational amount of knowledge and information communicated in a stimulating, engaging way.

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent reference!, June 30, 2009

By 

D. Rochelle (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of the Future (Hardcover)

Comprehensive and entertaining! This book provides an interdisciplinary analysis of major transitions in culture, technology and environment and how they affected architecture and urban planning. It engagingly explains the underlying philosophies and historical events that inspired visionary designers from Leonardo da Vinci to the green movement. The roles of film and product design are also explored.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OK, June 15, 2009

By 

R. B. Cathcart (Glendale, California United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A History of the Future (Hardcover)

The author seemed pained to stretch her information to fill a large-format book. Illustrations are nice, but the writing descriptions were shallow, perhaps from a lack of accomplished understanding.