Customer Reviews

Ruskin's Venice: The Stones Revisited

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This is a deeply inspiring photographic account of Ruskin's commitment to Venice. It serves as a remarkable and revelatory companion to Ruskin's THE STONES OF VENICE and, to any one who cares about this city, it is an entirely necessary book. It is difficult to imagine how it might have been done better.

I read an original copy (circa 1890), a three volume set with beautiful, color stone lithographs and (of course) no editorial abridgment. It became a gift to a friend wanting to learn about architecture as the best possible starting point. I cannot condone abridgment of this work. Particularly as Ruskin's illustrations really clarify his presentation.

But if one is willing to overlook unnecessary editorial wiseacreing, this book is obviously a classic. It is a marvelous experience to be able to look at a building, any building, when driving or walking down a street, and know the history, name, and significance of each of its facets and adornments.

Unless you happen to live in an area with considerable architectural variety, you will find your newly acquired skills only serve to confirm your opinion that we live in an age of totally bland and meaningless construction.

I cannot recommend this book (at least in its original) highly enough.

I am a yearly visitor to Venice and an amateur of Venetian history. I have tried to read the original Ruskin several times and always got bogged down in it. This book does a lovely job highlighting Ruskin's voluminous work with wonderfully detailed photography. I was in Venice 2 weeks ago and having read this book greatly enhanced my appreciation of the architectural details of many buildings. Highly recommended for anyone desiring to take the time to study the exquisite fine points of this jewel of a city.

A beautiful book, but it is principally a very short compendium of the Ruskin book assorted with awesome pictures!