The Annotated Arch: A Crash Course in the History Of Architecture (Paperback)

by Carol Strickland (Author) "As soon as human beings emerged from caves to live in huts, two basic drives-aggression and religion-dictated the forms of the first permanent architecture..." (more)
Key Phrases: nave walls, ribbon windows, organic architecture, New York, United States, Frank Lloyd Wright (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Annotated Arch takes architectural history out of the realm of dreary textbooks into a world of dynamic design, succinct page-length essays and instructive sidebars. These graphic devices heighten the reader's ability to retain an impressive amount of information, even through a cursory reading. A brief run-through of the book's captions and sidebars provides a mini crash course in the history of architecture. Incorporating more than 250 illustrations, The Annotated Arch draws on the very elements of architecture to craft a visual and textual approach to the subject that no ordinary textbook could match. From Stonehenge to the Eiffel Tower, from Flippo Brunelleschi to Frank Lloyd Wright, the language of architecture is clarified in five sections.

Everything you always wanted to know about architecture is all right here in The Annotated Arch, which covers architectural wonders from the Stone Age to the Space Age. Presented in a reader-friendly format, this new book enlightens, entertains, and informs with its lively look at architecture.

What's the difference between Doric, Corinthian, and Ionic? Within the 192 illustrated pages of The Annotated Arch, readers will learn all about these distinctive styles--and more. From engineering breakthroughs to cultural history, from biographical anecdotes to analyses of corresponding and clashing styles The Annotated Arch covers all the architectural bases. The book breaks new ground with excerpts from interviews conducted by the author with leading contemporary architects.

This new Annotated book follows Carol Strickland's first volume on art history, The Annotated Mona Lisa. Peppered with sidebars, The Annotated Arch will appeal to anyone who loves architecture or who simply wants to learn more about it in a painless, enjoyable way. It's a great, educational read.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (April 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740710249
• ISBN-13: 978-0740710247
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,762 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you ever wanted to know about architecture & more, November 30, 2003

By	Alison Rini (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is jam-packed with information, presented in a fascinating, readable manner. The introductory chapter explains the elements of architecture which helps the reader appreciate the extraordinary buildings humans have created through the ages. The chronological progression of the rest of the book's chapters highlights major trends and developments in building styles and materials, demystifying the origins of many of today's structures. The book is just as easy to read straight through, as it zooms along through the history of architecture "from the Stone Age to the Space Age," as it is to locate a topic of particular interest and to start there. The glossary and extensive index make it easy to quickly learn about any one subject, building, or architect, and the numerous sidebars and timelines help the reader understand the context in which a building was created.
The beautiful pictures and interesting stories bring you right to the doorstep of humanity's greatest achievements. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever wondered why a building is considered special, and think it would be a terrific present as well. Enjoy!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Annotated Arch: History of Architecture, March 18, 2006

By	Madeleine G. Spangler "yellow dog" (Alpharetta, Ga. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am teaching Art History and AP Art History this year and this book is invaluable to my students and myself. The students do a seminar type class and this book has provided such a qick reference tool for them when they have one of the artworks to research and teach. The large oversized pages are excellent. This book, along with the Annotated Mona Lisa, are wonderful reviews before the AP test. I am so glad that I found this excellent quick reference tome.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introductory Book, November 30, 2007

By	Courtney Mann "book addict" (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

As an Art History major, and a former Architectural student, I was skeptical when I found this book required for my study abroad course on French Art and Architecture. Generally, I've found that books attempting to cover basic knowledge on such a broad topic are somewhat lacking. However, after the first chapter or two, I was pleasantly surprised with how much information was packed into this entry level architecture manual and how few instances occurred in which I wanted to edit or add to the content. I would certainly suggest this book for entry level courses or course which only require general knowledge of Architecture.