Egypt: From Prehistory to the Romans (World Architecture) (Hardcover)

~ Dietrich Ildung (Author), (Author), Henri Stierlin (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These two volumes address topics in the earliest and latest periods covered in the publisher's ambitious and almost global (Africa is regrettably not included) 40-volume "World Architecture" series. While Wildung's volume is a fundamental analysis of the ancient Egyptian building arts, Jodidio's book is more of a journalistic review of contemporary trends. After an introductory chapter that presents an architectural vocabulary, Wildung, curator of the Egyptian Museum, Berlin, surveys his topic chronologically from the early dynastic through the Roman periods. Serviceably translated from the German, his prose eschews academic language. Perhaps of the greatest value are the color photographs and the numerous plans and sections. Two indexes cover personal names and monuments, arranged by locality. By contrast, American Jodidio (Richard Meier, Taschen, 1995) arranges his book by building type and offers an innovative chapter on the intersection of art and architecture. Jodidio's introduction provides an overview of the period and useful definitions of postmodernism and deconstructivism. The selection criteria are unclear, however, with practitioners such as Josef Paul Kleihues and Michael Graves curiously absent. The text is a general discussion of design trends rather than an analysis of building form and content. Unfortunately, the index includes personal names only, though the biographies are helpful. In neither volume does the text refer to the illustrations. Nevertheless, the high quality of the graphic material makes these very sound investments for all architecture collections.?Paul Glassman, Pratt Inst. Lib., New York
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

This volume presents an illustrated record of the architecture of the pharaohs, ranging from 3000 BC to the Egyptian style of today, from the Sudan to the Mediterranean. The meanings of wall hieroglyphics are deciphered.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Taschen (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822882526
• ISBN-13: 978-3822882528
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #624,135 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully photographed survey of Egyptian monuments., December 31, 1998

By A Customer

A beautifully photographed art book showing the monumental architecture of ancient Egypt. Line drawing diagrams, of horizontal and vertical planes, give a good perspective of building styles. Do not expect to find translations of the heiroglyphic inscriptions, military, political or historical narratives. This book is strictly for those interested in the stones and building techniques and changes in architectural styles from Prehistory to the Romans. With only 229 pages of text, mostly illustration, the serious student of Ancient Egypt will appreciate this in the National Geographic style of reading. For those seeking a survey of Egyptian style, it will make a fine addition to your coffee table for a season. Best wishes, John Piscopo

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, October 19, 2001

By	Hathor (HK) - See all my reviews

This book includes many colourful and attractive pictures, which show us the monuments build in Ancient Egypt. This book explains the monument in details with the map of each monuments. This book is most suitable for those who like Ancient Egypt and those who like the monument in Egypt.