Product Description

This highly acclaimed book, now available for the first time in the United States in simultaneous paperback and hardcover editions, is particularly valuable for its unique approach to architectural history: The author explores structures not as separate, neatly labeled museum pieces but as part of a vital, living continuity through the ages. Beginning with the classical origins of Western architecture and coming right up to the new millennium, the book discusses every major milestone in the development of Western architecture in probing detail. Features of the revised edition include expanded chapters on Mesopotamian and Egyptian architecture, made possible by important recent archeological findings; and urban planning sections added throughout the book. The latter will be of special value to the growing numbers of readers who take an active interest in the relationship between a city's buildings and the community residents who live and work in them

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #238765 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-01
• Released on: 2000-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 704 pages

About the Author
David Watkin, the author of many books, including English Architecture: A Concise History and The Rise of Architectural History, teaches the History of Architecture at the University of Cambridge.

Customer Reviews

Expanded Version of an Old Favorite
This is the fourth edition of this monumental book. This edition has been expanded to include additional coverage of Egyptian and Mesopotamian architecture at the early end, and the coverage of the architecture of the twentieth century has been greatly expanded. There is also expanded coverage of the architecture from Asia, particular that of Japan.

The book now has 50 color and 931 black and white photographs. Most of these are from Europe, but the rest of the world does have some coverage.

The increased size and scope of the book now presents a continuous coverage of the evolution of architecture from the earliest building, about 5000 B.C. to buildings constructed in the twenty first century. It is the most complete single volume history of architecture available and it's new edition is greatly improved.

The author, David Watkin is Professor of the History of Architecture at the University of Cambridge.

HE knows what he's talking about...
Watkin knows his stuff. But I don't so I bought this book which didn't clear things up as much as I hoped. There are far too many details, not a sense of narrative through history. Then there are far too few photos of things he expose's so that I have to guess what he means. And no maps. My geographic knowledge is not that good. I think it could be improved by streamlining, photos near the text which refers to them, and a map at the start of each section. But his prose is beautiful sometimes.

A History from Ancient Rome to the Present, Well Illustrated
Suprisingly the book begins with Ancient Rome, leaving the Caves, Stonehenge, and Egypt out, but as a result has more time to explore Western Architecture in greater depth for a Survey Book. The photographs are excellent, with many in color.