Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cultural Theory [Paperback]

Neil Leach (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415128269 | ISBN-13: 978-0415128261 | Publication Date: March 23, 1997

Brought together for the first time - the seminal writing on architecture by key philosophers and cultural theorist of the twentieth century.
Issues around the built environment are increasingly central to the study of the social sciences and humanities. The essays offer a refreshing take on the question of architecture and provocatively rethink many of the accepted tenets of architecture theory from a broader cultural perspective.
The book represents a careful selection of the very best theoretical writings on the ideas which have shaped our cities and our experiences of architecture. As such, Rethinking Architecture provides invaluable core source material for students on a range of courses.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Proves that architecture does indeed occupy a serious place in the humanist thought and culture...it should set the pace for debate about architecture for a long time to come..
–Adrian Forty, Architects' Journal

About the Author

Neil Leach is Lecturer in the Department of Architecture at the University of Nottingham.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (March 23, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415128269
• ISBN-13: 978-0415128261
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars solid choice of readings, October 3, 2006

By 

Daniel Williamson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cultural Theory (Paperback)

Contrary to the opinion of the fellow who gave this book 1 star, this book has an excellent selection of essays from many key 20th century thinkers (including three essays and 1 extract from Heidegger, which should be enough to undermine the critic's credibility). For the most part, they are presented unedited in full. Many of the selections are must-reads for people who wish to understand particular periods in the history of modern architecture, and it is nice to have them all together under a single cover.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great sourcebook, November 11, 2008

By 

Tomas Hribek (Czech Republic) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cultural Theory (Paperback)

The editor of the books is to be congratulated for compiling all the key texts of the leading Continental philosophers on the topics of architecture, urbanism, or the built environment per se. Whether or not you are smitten by the so-called Continental philosophy -- a loosely connected group of twentieth century figures mostly active in Germany and France, from Heidegger and Adorno through Foucault and Derrida -- you can't deny that they have decisively influenced the contemporary architectural discourse. It's useful to have most of the relevant writings available in one volume.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good one, July 8, 2011

By 

Joel Lleverino Ramon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cultural Theory (Paperback)

I already had taken a shot on this book, after a friend recommended it to me. Of course, it's not a book by architects, it's extracts offer different perspectives on architecture and urbanism that not always are found akin to architectural thought or conventional architectural thought, but that's precisely the point... highly recommended to anyone interested in.. well. Rethinking Architecture