Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning (Icon Editions) [Paperback]

Leland Roth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 20, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0064301583 | ISBN-13: 978-0064301589

This clearly written, fully illustrated survey of Western architecture defines and explains structure, function, history, and meaning. Architecture is examined as a cultural phenomenon as well as an artistic and technological achievement. The book is divided into two parts: Part One, “The Elements of Architecture,” deals with the basic properties of architecture in chapters that explain function, structural principles, and elements of design, including examples in the text and illustrations from all periods and styles. Part Two, “The History and Meaning of Architecture,” is a chronological survey of Western architectural development from prehistoric times to the present. The approach is selective in terms of buildings and architects included; the examples are chosen for their importance and significance and are fully explained. Each chronological chapter begins with a concise, historical outline giving the social and cultural background. The illustrations (photographs, drawings, maps, and plans) are integrated with the text and there are notes, suggested readings, a glossary, chronological chart, and index.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This lively survey by the author of A Concise History of Architecture ( LJ 7/79) examines architecture as a cultural phenomenon as well as an artistic and technological achievement. Roth (architecture, Univ. of Oregon) argues that architecture does more than provide shelter; it is also a physical expression of how people view themselves in relation to each other and to the universe. Part 1 provides a solid introduction to the discipline's form and function; Part 2 focuses on the major buildings, styles, and architects from prehistoric times to the present, with a valuable historical overview opening each chapter. Non-Western and vernacular architecture are mentioned only in passing, the one small shortcoming in an otherwise readable and lucid book. Highly recommended.
- H. Ward Jandl, National Park Svce., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Leland M. Roth is Marion Dean Ross Professor of Architectural History at the University of Oregon at Eugene. He is the author of American Architecture: A History; A Concise History of American Architecture; McKim, Mead & White, Architects; and other works. He lives in Eugene, Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press (April 20, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064301583
• ISBN-13: 978-0064301589
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #468,744 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent but not perfect, September 4, 2005

By 

D. Paul (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning (Icon Editions) (Paperback)

I'm a college instructor for beginning level Architecture Appreciation, and the Leland Roth book is an excellent choice to use for such a class. It is concise, informative and for the students, easy to read. Also, for their purposes, because the book is mostly black and white, it is rather cost efficient in an age of over-priced rip-off textbooks. The only problem with the book is that it can really stand to be updated. There is no chapter about Decontructivism or anything that followed, and the book ends with Mario Botta in 1993, which these days is antiquity already. Roth must know that his book is a gold standard for such a class. Knowing this, it is imperative that he revise it soon. it's too good of a product to stop 12 years ago.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Architecture and Urbanism, June 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning (Icon Editions) (Paperback)

This is a very well written approach to the understanding of Architecture and Urbanism. In the first half of the book, Roth analyzes the basic concepts or "elements" that conform today's Architecture. The second half of this clear and readable text is dedicated to the investigation of the history and significance of Architecture. These enjoyable and didactic thirteen chapters are an excellent starting point for a journey into past and present Architecture

4.0 out of 5 stars Book is good, binding is awful, March 18, 2008

By 

T. Mankad (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning (Icon Editions) (Paperback)

This book is one of the seminal readings for architectural history, and the reason is that the contents are well-thought-out, well-researched, and interestingly written.
That said, shouldn't such a book, one you'll keep a good long time as a reference, come with a binding that doesn't fall apart on the first open? Sumeria and Mesopotamia are ready to leap out of the spine. It's a real travesty and the publisher should be embarassed. I'd have returned it if I didn't need it for a class.
As for the contents, I'd say that Roth is a great scholar and writer. He's also done or reworked many of the very solid illustrations in the book, and the book is a good read as well as a good reference. You can pick up the thread anywhere and don't necessarily have to read in chronological order. Worth buying a copy (that doesn't fall apart in your hands.)