World History of Architecture [Paperback]

Marian Moffett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 2004

The Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius declared firmitas, utilitas, and venustas-firmness, commodity, and delight- to be the three essential attributes of architecture. These qualities are brilliantly explored in this book, which uniquely comprises both a detailed survey of Western architecture, including Pre-Columbian America, and an introduction to architecture from the Middle East, India, Russia, China, and Japan. The text encourages readers to examine closely the pragmatic, innovative, and aesthetic attributes of buildings, and to imagine how these would have been praised or criticized by contemporary observers. Artistic, economic, environmental, political, social, and technological contexts are discussed so as to determine the extent to which buildings met the needs of clients, society at large, and future generations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From review by Martha Lawler

This impressive survey of world architecture includes a wealth of information, and is beautifully formatted and enhanced with 570 photographs (300 in color) and 350 line drawings. A series of maps precedes the informative and well-written text. The introduction gives an overview of the design and construction of both individual buildings and entire communities, and the chapters are arranged chronologically from prehistoric times to late twentieth century. There is heavy emphasis on Western traditions, but also considerable discussion of Asian, Islamic, Russian, and pre-Columbian American structures. Architectural terms are highlighted in bold type the first time they appear and are presented together in a glossary along with an excellent annotated bibliography. Perhaps the most rewarding features, besides the stunning color illustrations, are the line drawings depicting floor plans and elevations. Each chapter presents a brief overview of historical events and social customs that influenced architectural styles, as well as individuals who played significant roles in the support, design, and construction of various projects. Interspersed throughout are separate essays highlighting particular aspects of architectural history. Not only is this collection an excellent source of information, it is also an entertaining journey through the history of world architecture. (American Reference Books Annual )

Excerpts from P. Kaufman, Boston Architectural Center

Well-known architectural historians Moffett (Univ. of Tennessee), Fazio (Mississippi State Univ.), and Wodehouse (deceased) have prepared the best worldwide survey of architecture on the market today for general readers. It covers not only Western civilization, but also Asian, Islamic, and pre-Columbian American. Clarity is the order of the day for the verbal and visual presentations, including more than 350 black-and-white line drawings and more than 300 color illustrations, much better than any other worldwide survey book on the market today...This book will replace in many markets Spiro Kostof's A History of Architecture (2nd Ed., 1995; 1st Ed., CH, Dec '86), a famous but difficult book to read and study. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers: lower-division undergraduates through faculty. (Choice ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

A WORLD HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

In about 40 BCE the Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius declared firmitas, utilitas, and venustas -- firmness, commodity, and delight -- to be the three essential attributes of architecture. These qualities are brilliantly explored in this book, which uniquely comprises both a detailed survey of Western architecture, including Pre-Columbian America, and an introduction to architecture from the Middle East, India, Russia, China, and Japan. Written in a clear and engaging style, the text encourages readers to examine closely in photographs and line drawings the pragmatic, innovative, and aesthetic attributes of buildings, and to imagine how these would have been praised or criticized by contemporary observers. Architecture is discussed in various contexts -- artistic, economic, environmental, political, social, and technological -- so as to determine the extent to which buildings met the needs of clients, society at large, and future generations.

This book also examines the unique methods of great architects past and present. Among them are Alvar Aalto, Robert Adam, Leon Battista Alberti, Filippo Brunelleschi, Gustave Eiffel, Peter Eisenman, Antonio Gaudi, Frank Gehry, Walter Gropius, Imhotep, Le Corbusier, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Michelangelo, Glenn Murcutt, Andrea Palladio, Eero Saarinen, Koca Sinan, Louis Sullivan, Christopher Wren, and Frank Lloyd Wright.

The global reach of the text is matched by a rich assortment of photographs from the world over and a greater array of detailed line drawings than can be found in any architectural survey. The authors have created a formidable body of work that ranges over much of the world's architectural heritage and testifies to some of the greatest achievements of the human spirit. (20040101) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Laurence King; 2nd Rev edition (August 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1856693716
• ISBN-13: 978-1856693714
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,167,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, May 29, 2006

By 

Richard Webner (Evanston, IL, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A World History of Architecture [1st Ed.] (Hardcover)

I have always admired architecture. I love wandering through cities, marvelling at their skyscrapers, and travelling to Europe to see older buildings. I bought "A World History of Architecture" so that I could better understand not only the beauty of these buildings, but their place in architectural history. "A World History" exceeded my expectations.

Its sixteen chapters describe the characteristics and innovations of architecture's major movements. You will learn what makes Gothic architecture Gothic, and Romanesque Romanesque. "A World History" also explains how these styles developed from eachother. Although appearance might suggest otherwise, today's skyscrapers are the descendants of the Parthenon and Pantheon.

Not all chapters describe western styles, however. There are long, interesting sections about Egyptian, Indian, Chinese, Islamic and Pre-Columbian American architecture. The authors explain how these types influenced Western architecture, something I never realized. It is fascinating to read that Islamic mosques were the source of many concepts found in medieval cathedrals, and that Mayan buildings inspired some of Frank Lloyd Wright's work.

The book is well written and full of beautiful pictures that illustrate the ideas described in the text. I don't think there is a single page devoid of pictures, which alone make the book interesting to leaf through.

My only complaints concern the hefty price and bulky size. This is more of a textbook than bedroom reading. I found it uncomfortable to lay down on a couch to read this, or even sit in an armchair. It is best read sitting at a desk, like your chemistry textbook in high school.

Otherwise, "A World History" is perfect. Having read this, I feel like I have completed an architectural class. This book gave me a knowledge architectural history that I cant wait to use on my next vacation.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bring back the missing examples!, August 22, 2009

By 

Prof (Fairfield County, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A World History of Architecture (Hardcover)

This Second Edition of "A World History of Architecture" is an exact reprint of "Buildings Across Time", Third Edition by the same authors and publisher.
The difference? Price. $52 more! Just check the other book. For a while the First Edition was out of print so I was forced to use "Buildings Across Time" (I teach architecture at a Community College so price is very important to me). While I understand that the publishers have to make a profit, how is that that they can "afford" to sell this book for $41 while an exact copy of the "approved" higher education version is $92?
I welcome the addition of notable examples in the last chapter but I have a problem with the removal of many other buildings. Just to name a few that were present in the First Edition and are missing from the Second: Biskupin, Ishtar Gate, Temple of Ramesses II, Great Stupa at Borobodur, Caernarvon Castle etc. I am not sure what this cleansing is all about, both editions are 592 pages. Granted something had to give since there are new examples throughout.
I am only writing this in a hope that the Third Edition would include the missing examples from First Edition. If number of pages is fixed, just make some of the photographs smaller. Come on McGraw-Hill, you can do it!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, November 8, 2008

By 

magellan (Santa Clara, CA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A World History of Architecture (Hardcover)

This is one of those big, beautiful art/architecture books that always seem to end up unread on people's coffee tables. But the book is worth reading for the wealth of good info on the buildings, and the photos are nothing less than superb. Modern wide-angle camera lenses that are used to photograph the interiors of buildings, for example, have improved greatly in the last 10-15 years, and the results show.

The most important buildings, from ancient times to modern times are covered, and the text is well done, informative, and not dry as are many books on art and architecture. One of the book's strengths is the coverage of the ideas and practices of important architects who have contributed many of the buildings in this book. The authors also do a good job of covering the social importance and context of the buildings and how they differed from culture to culture.

After reading this book, I would highly recommend Sir Nicholaus Pevsner's An Outline of European Architecture for more reading on that subject. His descriptions of important buildings are often nothing short of inspired, and he is considered one of the greatest and most stimulating writers on the subject who ever put pen to paper.

No architecture book can cover every important building, but this one covers almost all the ones I would have included. It's been said that buildings like the bigger and more elaborate Gothic Cathedrals, with their labor intensive, complex masonry facades and interiors and their ornate lead-glass windows, are the most expensive artworks ever done, costing a billion dollars to replicate today. Important buildings are therefore essential for us to understand if only for the tremendous amount of resources that go into them.

Overall, a fine book on the subject and one that compares favorably with the many other beautiful, large-format books out there on architecture. I've also seen the book for the list price of $65 in retail shops so if Amazon is selling it for $40 I would consider that a great deal for this book.