World Architecture: A Cross-Cultural History by Ingersoll Richard Kostof Spiro (2012-12-13) Paperback

by Richard Tobias

Spiro Kostof's groundbreaking work, A History of Settings and Rituals, helped to reshape the study of architectural history. His book extended beyond the discussion of great monuments to find connections with ordinary dwellings, urbanism, and different cultures from around the world. World A Cross-Cultural History is an entirely new, student-friendly text by Richard Ingersoll. Building on Kostof's global vision and social context, Ingersoll integrates extensive coverage of world and contemporary architecture in order to provide the most comprehensive survey in the field. Presented chronologically, each chapter now focuses on three unique architectural cultures, which gives instructors the flexibility to choose which traditions are the most relevant to their courses. The text also provides students with numerous pedagogical tools, including timelines, comparative maps, a glossary, and text boxes devoted to social factors and specific issues in technology and philosophy. The result is a comprehensive method for understanding and appreciating the history, cultural significance, and beauty of architecture from around the world. FEATURES** Stunning full-color More than 800 color photographs, hundreds of original graphics, architectural drawings, and maps, and meticulous diagrams demonstrate how classic buildings were created ** Helpful learning and study New timelines, chapter introductions, text boxes with fascinating case studies, bibliographies, review questions, and a glossary help students identify key information and better prepare them for exams and class assignments ** Free Instructor's Resource PowerPoints and 80% of the 1200 photos and architectural drawings from the text ** Free companion website resources (www.oup.com/us/ingersoll): Chapter summaries, review questions, self-exams, and Google Earth maps with the location of key structures further enhance the text

Genres: Architecture, History, Nonfiction, Art, Art History, Reference, Design

Paperback

First published March 21, 1985

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure: this was a book to skim, not read. I imagine it was created as a college textbook, with all that implies. Anyway, I enjoyed seeing the evolution of medieval stone villages to Florentine palaces to Turkish mosques. Buildings are fascinating things, and as varied as the imaginations of their creators (as well as the treasuries of their commissioners). Good browsing material here, thanks largely to the intriguing photos and drawings.

[Bob Shadel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible textbook of architecture history. Kostof was an amazingly knowledgeable historian; his tome is filled with the social/cultural history of the world and the connections to architecture. A simple history of great buildings is really insufficient to understand the history of the development of how societies have built the various edifices throughout history. What an amazing journey I have taken with Mr. Kostof.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a huge textbook, I didn't really read it all, but it is a beautiful introduction to architecture from the caves of Lascaux to 1945. The sections on Istanbul, Venice, Rome, and the U.S. are especially good, and the pictures, drawings, and commentary are excellent. Kostof taught at Berkeley for many years.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!

[Imkrtr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good way to see history

[Carolee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have NOT read this substantial textbook cover to cover, but use it for reference when needed.

[Alexis]

nice book

[Rory Hyde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hefty tome taking in a few thousand odd years of history. A history of the winners, focussed on the names and places, skewed toward a Western European tradition. Great as a foundational text.

[Lizzy B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to my “The Experts” review, my goodness, this was a slog. It is so dry in some places. It is so hard to visualize the architectural descriptions sometimes. Being an older book, it doesn’t cover the twenty-first century. Several hundred pages seem to just be church after church after church. I was going to call out the author’s assumption that the reader already knew architectural terms, but then I saw that the book’d had a glossary in the back the whole time. Oops.

On the other hand, it presents a lot of big, mind-expanding ideas to chew on, it is thoughtful about historical and political contexts, and now I can identify a bunch of architectural styles. I also really liked when the author got on his soapbox - there were dozens of well-crafted lines (no pun intended). The book also does a great job of drawing from a variety of textual and image sources (also no pun intended).

In short, you’ll absolutely get something out of this book, but know what you’re getting into! Consider only reading sections that interest you (e.g. I especially enjoyed the ancient civ and American architecture chapters).

[Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it 3 star rating because there isn’t single photo or discussion of Notre Dame cathedral. Sorry Spiro.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, I sold this book back to the bookstore after my freshman year - then I had to buy the same damn book back the next year for History of Architecture 2. Let this be a lesson to you.

[Havva]

Loved the concept, but the book was much to slow to get through. At page 176 decided that I have better ways to spend my time.