The Story of Architecture

Author: Jonathan Glancey
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features: In the long history of world architecture, which is constantly being reinterpreted, the popular critic Jonathan Glancey guides us on an exciting five-thousand-year journey through architectural splendor, from ancient Sumer to the magnificent urban landscapes of glass and steel today. Along the way, we experience the harmony of Buddhism, the opulence of Baroque, and the functionalism of modernism. An unprecedented collection of full-color photographs, artworks, and design drawings, accompanied by witty and insightful text, allows the author to tell unforgettable stories with passion and insight. How were the pyramids moved from Luxor to the Louvre? Why is the Parthenon compared to a Greek warship? What is the connection between the Hadrianic Villa and the Getty Center in Los Angeles? In this passionate and innovative work, Jonathan Glancey weaves a continuous thread through the five thousand years of world architecture with a fresh perspective and unique personal insights. From the ziggurat of Ur to the temple of Zia, passing through Romanesque arcades, Gothic spires, Baroque palaces, and modernist apartment buildings, the vivid narration reveals the geographical, historical, and cultural influences embedded within. While the development of major architectural styles is emphasized, the progress in structural and technological innovations is clearly explained through representative artworks and illustrations. Throughout the dazzling history, this book dedicates special features to the most influential and creative architects in the world, from Palladio to Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright. These features showcase the masterpieces of the architects while also briefly touching upon their fascinating lives. The rich illustrations, fluent writing, and rigorous, insightful content make this book equally appealing to seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers. The book tells the story of architecture from 7,000 BC in Mesopotamia to the 21st century globally. It reminds us that our culture is a process of creation, one that begins with elements that provide shelter. The difference between architecture's fundamental need to fulfill this basic human requirement and its expression across time and space is as distinct as the worlds of plant and animal species. Jonathan is an excellent communicator, and this work explores the fundamental principles of architecture hidden beneath its vast diversity.