A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals Revised Edition

by Spiro Kostof (Author), Gregory Castillo (Editor), Richard Tobias (Illustrator)

44 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0195083781

ISBN-10: 0195083784

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World Architecture: A Cross-Cultural History
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When the late Spiro Kostof's A History of Architecture appeared in 1985, it was universally hailed as a masterpiece--one of the finest books on architecture ever written. The New York Times Book Review, in a front cover review, called it "a magnificent guided tour through mankind's architecture," and The San Francisco Chronicle wrote that "Kostof...has enthralled a generation of students.... Now he has done the same thing for the public at large, in an extraordinary book that is a new kind of architectural history."
This magisterial work has now been revised and expanded by Greg Castillo, Kostof's colleague and literary executor. Insightful, engagingly written, and graced with almost a thousand superb illustrations, the Second Edition of this classic volume offers a sweeping narrative that examines architecture as it reflects the social, economic, and technological systems of human history. The scope of the book is astonishing. No mere survey of famous buildings, Kostof's History examines a surprisingly wide variety of manmade structures: prehistoric huts and the TVA, the pyramids at Giza and the Rome railway station, the ziggurat and the department store. Indeed, Kostof considered every building worthy of attention, every structure or shelter a potential source of insight, whether it be the prehistoric hunting camps at Terra Amata, or the caves at Lascaux with their magnificent paintings, or a twenty-story hotel on the Las Vegas strip. The Second Edition features a new concluding chapter, "Designing the Fin de Siècle," based on Kostof's last lecture notes and prepared by Castillo, as well as an all-new 16-page color section. Many of the original line drawings by Richard Tobias, as well as some 50 photographs, have also been updated or replaced, for improved clarity.
Visually and intellectually stimulating, this book is at once a compelling history and an indispensable reference on all aspects of our built environment. It achieves for architecture what Janson's history accomplished for visual art.

A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Very useful!"--Mosette G. Broderich, New York University

"[Kostof's] challenging text is ultimately inspiring, richly rewarding, and at times brilliant."--School Library Journal

From the Back Cover

Pulls together the work of a multitude of scholars into a workable synthesis that will be of value to college students who are just becoming acquainted with the area of study...Kostof has achieved a synthesis of sound scholarship, up-to-date interpretation, and excellent analysis for which he and his publisher are to be congratulated. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

Hardcover: 792 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press; Revised edition (May 4, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0195083784
ISBN-13: 978-0195083781
Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 1.5 x 9.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #365,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #208 in Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Criticism
- #664 in Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > History
- #767 in Books > Engineering & Transportation > Engineering > Reference > Architecture

Customer Reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars

5 star		43%
4 star		32%
3 star		7%
2 star		9%
1 star		9%

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Top Customer Reviews

Every architectural library should have htis book.

By A Customer on October 12, 1998

Format: Hardcover

This is an excellent, reader friendly book. It is standard for many architectural school history courses. The profuse illustrations and photographs are first rate.
Anyone who has an interest in world architecture shoul have this book as a basic part of thier library.

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Comprehensive

By James W Singer on February 15, 2007

Format: Hardcover

Covers all the major styles and period the Western tradition of architecture. It does one chapter on Asian architecture but no single chapter can cover all the styles and history of the Asian countries of India, China, Japan, etc. It will be great for any aspiring architect who wants to have a good foundation...or to anyone who wants to appreciate the history of spatial design, and decoratives more.

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One of the best

By ARCHITECT on August 7, 2000

Format: Hardcover

One of the best architectural histories ever, written by one of the most respected historians. Spiro Kostof was a Professor in the School of Architecture at UC Berkeley, and was much-admired by students and colleagues. This book is required reading in many schools of architecture.

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I love this book

By Kristopher on September 24, 2016

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

I bought this book for my architectural history class and I was dreading having to read it, but after reading the first chapter I was absolutely amazed. The text is written in a very easy to read style and filled to the brim with interesting facts and pictures. The timelines are easy to follow but all in all this is a great book.

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Good buy, recommended to everyone who wants to have a good base on this topic.

By A.R.A.P. on October 28, 2014

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

I was looking for an architecture history book which let me have the most complete sense of what an architecture history book must be. After searching which book was the proper to buy i ordered this one (also took the suggestion from my professor)
When I got it and after having read haf of it I can say I don't regret buying it. This book gives detailed information from a broad field like is architecture and urban planning in different places around the world and in specific periods of time that gives you a coherent idea of what history architecture is. As I said is such a broad field that you will need further reference so that you can be an expert in this matter, but it contributes a lot in achieving that.

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Great architectural history book

By Henry Zhang on January 13, 2014

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

Used this book for an introductory architectural history class. Very enjoyable reading, as the author associates form with cultural and even psychological factors. Buildings and structures discussed in the book range from the most famous to the most typical houses. Would recommend this book for not only those interested architecture, but also to those fascinated in learning more about other cultures and their ways of life. Great for travelers too.

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Agonizingly detailed

By Kathryn A. Stryker on October 5, 2013

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

Far too much detail with little discussion of overall period trends and distinctions. The book could be half the size and provide a much clearer picture of the important attributes of the historic cultures.

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Great, but...

By dogdocrock on August 1, 2014

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

Kind of a tough read, but lots of good information. Great for architecture history students, as well as for history students. It just takes some time to read, at least for me.

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