This highly acclaimed book, now available for the first time in the United States in simultaneous paperback and hardcover editions, is particularly valuable for its unique approach to architectural history: The author explores structures not as separate, neatly labeled museum pieces but as part of a vital, living continuity through the ages. Beginning with the classical origins of Western architecture and coming right up to the new millennium, the book discusses every major milestone in the development of Western architecture in probing detail. Features of the revised edition include expanded chapters on Mesopotamian and Egyptian architecture, made possible by important recent archeological findings; and urban planning sections added throughout the book. The latter will be of special value to the growing numbers of readers who take an active interest in the relationship between a city's buildings and the community residents who live and work in them
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Book Description
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About the Author
David Watkin, the author of many books, including English Architecture: A Concise History and The Rise of Architectural History, teaches the History of Architecture at the University of Cambridge.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Expanded Version of an Old Favorite,
By
This review is from: A History of Western Architecture, 4th edition (Paperback)
This is the fourth edition of this monumental book. This edition has been expanded to include additional coverage of Egyptian and Mesopotamian architecture at the early end, and the coverage of the architecture of the twentieth century has been greatly expanded. There is also expanded coverage of the architecture from Asia, particular that of Japan.
The book now has 50 color and 931 black and white photographs. Most of these are from Europe, but the rest of the world does have some coverage. The increased size and scope of the book now presents a continuous coverage of the evolution of architecture from the earliest building, about 5000 B.C. to buildings constructed in the twenty first century. It is the most complete single volume history of architecture available and it's new edition is greatly improved. The author, David Watkin is Professor of the History of Architecture at the University of Cambridge.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A History from Ancient Rome to the Present, Well Illustrated,
By A Customer
This review is from: A History of Western Architecture (Paperback)
Suprisingly the book begins with Ancient Rome, leaving the Caves, Stonehenge, and Egypt out, but as a result has more time to explore Western Architecture in greater depth for a Survey Book. The photographs are excellent, with many in color.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
HE knows what he's talking about...,
By
This review is from: A History of Western Architecture, 4th edition (Paperback)
Watkin knows his stuff. But I don't so I bought this book which didn't clear things up as much as I hoped. There are far too many details, not a sense of narrative through history. Then there are far too few photos of things he expose's so that I have to guess what he means. And no maps. My geographic knowledge is not that good. I think it could be improved by streamlining, photos near the text which refers to them, and a map at the start of each section. But his prose is beautiful sometimes.
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
WESTERN CULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE DERIVE MUCH OF their richness and resonances from the fact that their origins lie outside of Europe. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
stuccoed interiors, figured frieze, optical refinements, structural honesty, radiating chapels, pedimental sculpture, prolific architect, national romanticism, monumental public buildings, entrance front, tunnel vaults, west front, figure sculpture, engaged columns Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Art Nouveau, Greek Doric, New York, Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Hagia Sophia, Middle Ages, Asia Minor, Greek Revival, Frank Lloyd Wright, International Modern, High Renaissance, Fischer von Erlach, Giulio Romano, High Gothic, Grand Prix, Westminster Abbey, Frederick the Great, Inigo Jones, Shingle Style, Sta Maria, Art Deco, Baths of Diocletian, First World War, Italian Renaissance, Second World War New!
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
WESTERN CULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE DERIVE MUCH OF their richness and resonances from the fact that their origins lie outside of Europe. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
stuccoed interiors, figured frieze, optical refinements, structural honesty, radiating chapels, pedimental sculpture, prolific architect, national romanticism, monumental public buildings, entrance front, tunnel vaults, west front, figure sculpture, engaged columns Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Art Nouveau, Greek Doric, New York, Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Hagia Sophia, Middle Ages, Asia Minor, Greek Revival, Frank Lloyd Wright, International Modern, High Renaissance, Fischer von Erlach, Giulio Romano, High Gothic, Grand Prix, Westminster Abbey, Frederick the Great, Inigo Jones, Shingle Style, Sta Maria, Art Deco, Baths of Diocletian, First World War, Italian Renaissance, Second World War New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
27
books
cite this book:
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- Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning (Icon Editions) by Leland Roth on 4 pages
- A Coat of Many Colors: Religion and Society along the Cape Fear River of North Carolina (Religion in the South) by Walter H. Conser Jr. in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Green Shift, Second Edition: Changing Attitudes in Architecture to the Natural World by John Farmer on page 5, and Back Matter
- Between Transcendence And Historicism: The Ethical Nature Of The Arts In Hegelian Aesthetics (Suny Series in Hegelian Studies) by Brian K. Etter in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- House of Leaves: A Novel by Mark Z. Danielewski on page 152
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