Product Description

Jonathan Glancey conducts an inspiring journey through 5,000 years of magnificent buildings, from ancient Sumeria to the spectacular glass-and-steel towers of today's cityscapes. An unprecedented collection of full-colour photographs, artworks, and plans creates a memorable story of architecture.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26001 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

About the Author
Jonathan Glancey lives in London and is Architecture and Design Editor of The Guardian, author of several architecture books and a regular TV and radio broadcaster who has written and presented programmes for the BBC and Channel 4. He has been assistant editor of the Architectural Review, editor of The Architect, and has contributed to a number of architectural and design magazines in Europe and the US.

Customer Reviews

A Quantity Surveyor's view
The author's introduction describes Architects as "a priesthood" who have "tricked stone, brick ,marble, steel... into sensational structures that raise our spirits above everyday concerns." He also descibes how God has been referred to as "the great and original architect." So, from the outset, this book did not look a promising read for the Quantity Surveyor. It reinforced my suspicions as to how Architects perceived themselves. Certainly, these descriptions do not match any of the Architects that I have worked with!!
However, patience reveals this to be an excellent guide to nearly every form of architecture from all ages and all corners of the world. Little appears to be missing. Lavishly illustrated as is the norm with all DK books, I found myself really enjoying this effort and learning that, sometimes, even if our fellow professionals can be a little late with the design information on site and cavelier with finances, they can sometimes come up with some beautiful buildings. Whilst my interest was originally in Gothic archetecture of the Middle Ages, I found the chapters on Victorian building to be the most rewarding. It is odd to see this architecture appreciated these days as it's value was not so well recognised when I started in the profession 20 years ago.
Unfortunately, I cannot share the author's enthusiasm for modern architecture and found myself disagreeing with much of the last quarter of this book. Just the type of comments that one would expect from an Architect - rather like a colleague who I met many years ago who tried to praise the Tricorn in Portsmouth. (The most hated buidling in Hampshire and, thankfully, about to be demolished.)
In summary, this is an excellent introduction to architecture, even if it negelcts to mention how many of the projects mentioned within it's covers came in within budget !

Good content, a truly good read.
This book is a standard above the rest, it runs through the history of architecture from very early days to modern masterpieces.The author has got a good selection of pictures and diagrams to explain the text, not going overboard with the overall content but enough to satisfy the eyes as well as the mind.A truly good read.

A treat to read and a great introduction to the subject
Worth reading cover to cover, this book is written in a lively style and has DK's usual high quality photos on every page. I bought a second copy as a gift for a friend. I wish I'd read this when I was at school - I'd have wanted to become an architect.