Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture (Dover books on architecture) (Paperback)

by Cyril M. Harris (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This massive compendium by a noted architectural historian contains over 2000 line drawings, and clear, concise definitions for over 5000 important terms relating to the architectural achievements of a great variety of world cultures, ancient to modern. Includes cutaway views, close-ups of intricate details, precisely rendered plans for many famed structures.

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (March 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048624444X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486244440
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #202,185 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a MUST have item for the art history student library, December 24, 1999

By	Ross Litman (Killeen, Texas) - See all my reviews

There are so many facets of archetectural history that building terms seem to have lost their meaning. Especially in the ancient buildings from ancient Greek to medieval Gothic periods, the terms are so numerous -- and necessarily so.

The definitions are so clearly written in practical, easily understandable language. The illustrations are so detailed and clean that minute discrepancies between one term and another are easily identifiable. When writing reviews or analyses of various architectural buildings and styles of buildings, this book should always be within reach of the pen or computer terminal.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dictionary Covering World Architecture, July 31, 2005

By	Marco Antonio Abarca (Colorado) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Cyril Harris has produced two great architectural dictionaries. The first one published in 1977 is the one currently being reviewed. His second dictionary is entitled, "American Architecture: An Illustrated Encyclopedia" and it was published in 1998 by Norton.

If your interest in primarily in American Architecture stick to "American Architecture". It is a newer book and its has beautiful line illustrations of which the majority come from the Historic American Building Survey (HABS). It has over 2,500 definitions and 1,000 illustrations.

However, if your interest is in World Architecture, this is the book for you. In this volume, Harris provides concise definitions for over 5,000 architectural terms and there are over 2,000 illustrations. From ancient ruins to 20th Century Modern Architecture, this illustrated dictionary covers the full spectrum of architectural achievement. All the illustrations are black and white line illustrations and they appear to principally come from the illustrated magazines of the 19th and Early 20th Century. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture, October 10, 2005

By	Daniel J. Schantol - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is extremely helpful when taking any Architecture History course. Everything I have needed to know is in this book. The diagrams are more understandable than my textbook.