A History of Architecture in 100 Buildings

by Dan Cruickshank

A beautifully illustrated tour of the world's most influential buildings.

"Architecture is an all-embracing adventure without end," declares Dan Cruickshank in the introduction to A History of Architecture in 100 Buildings.

Cruickshank's selection represents key moments in architectural history and it is truly global in scope. It includes many of the world's best-known structures, and many less obvious ones, the unsung heroes of this great and fascinating story. Having visited most of the featured buildings himself, his book is both authoritative and intimate.

From the evocative remains of ancient civilizations to towering New York skyscrapers, Cruickshank's A History of Architecture in 100 Buildings is organized in seven themes. Examples are:

Pioneers -- Pantheon (Rome), National Library (Paris), Flatiron Building (New York), Norkomfin Housing (Moscow), Casa Malaparte (Capri)
Buildings of Vision -- Sculpture, Gate of Lions (Greece), Krak des Chevaliers (Syria), Maori Meeting House (New Zealand), Assembly Buildings (Bangladesh), Moscow Metro (Russia)
Follies -- Bishop's Castle (Colorado), Falling Water (Pennsylvania), Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
Ancient, Lost and Disappearing Worlds -- Uruk (Iraq), Mud City of Chan Chan (Peru), Mesa Verde (Colorado), R.F. Scott's Hut (Antarctica), Oratory of Gallerus (Ireland)
Scale: Where Size Matters -- Burj Khalif (Dubai), Crystal Island Complex (Moscow), Towers Of San Gimignano (Italy), Pyramid of the Sun and Ciudadela (Teotihuacan, Mexico), Ulm Minster (Germany)
Rhetoric and Meaning -- Ise Inner Shrine (Japan), Christ in the Attic (Amsterdam), Taj Mahal (India), Crystal Island Complex (Russia), The Palace of Ctesiphon (Iraq)
Survivals and Revivals -- Slave Cabins (New Orleans), Catherine Palace (Russia), Carcassonne (France) Watson's Hotel (Mumbai), Eastern State Penitentiary (Philadelphia).
Architects, historians, travelers and inquisitive readers will enjoy this beautiful, sumptuously illustrated book.

Genres: Architecture, History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Reference

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2015

About the author

Dan Cruickshank (1949 - ) is a British art historian and BBC television presenter, with a special interest in the history of architecture.

He holds a BA in Art, Design and Architecture and was formerly a Visiting Professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Sheffield and a member of the London faculty of the University of Delaware. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, a member of the Executive Committee of the Georgian Group and on the Architectural Panel of the National Trust.

Reviews

[Noura Eljerbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful piece. It's well written, interesting, and contains fabulous photographs.

The books breaks up the 100 buildings by grouping them in the following categories; Pioneers, Rhetoric, Sacred, Urban Visions, Big and Beautiful, Material Matters, and Lost and Found. Each group contains a short entry for each structure. The entries are usually no more than 2 pages long, and describe who built the structure, what it was used for, how it was built, and the materials used to build it. It's all very straightforward and easy to read, but it's also quite interesting. Making up the list of building are some expected suspects; The Great Pyramid, The Flatiron Building, The Taj Mahal, etc. Also, however, are buildings you've probably never heard of before, at least I didn't! The author chooses structures from all time periods and places. This isn't a book you would necessarily read from cover to cover, and I found it more interesting to pick and choose entries based on what caught my eye as I thumbed through.


The photographs that accompany each entry are well chosen and beautiful. Each entry has at least two photographs accompanying it. Some of them are small, while other spread over two pages.

The book itself is also quite nicely made and printed. It's a hefty volume, that feels great in the hand, and looks wonderful on a coffee table.

All in all... beautiful buildings in a beautiful book.

[Eleanor Dodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read on architecture (my interest being sparked by the fire at Notre Dame) and I have to say it has really taught me a lot! Thanks to this book I now know about the different types of architecture, from gothic and sacred buildings to the modern and green. I also now understand the fascinating theories behind buildings, such as the circle within a square, and the need for rib vaults and flying buttresses to transfer weight to the outside and allow for higher ceilings and larger stained glass windows in cathedrals. I’ve really enjoyed reading this book and it has sparked a new interest for me. 5 stars!

[HP Saucerer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating and eloquently written testimony to the power of great architecture to shape, and be shaped by, history. A highly accessible read with a diverse selection of buildings from six continents, spanning over two-millennia; my only gripe being that I felt there weren’t nearly enough photographs to savour. Four stars.

[dantelk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did like Dan Cruickshank's London walking guide a lot, that's why I am disappointed with this one :(

Although I took some notes etc and finished the thing, it was a slow journey. You see, the problem is this book does not have an 'theme', which I could follow by each chapter (building). It was rather building after another, with no references to what we've read nor what will read later. Really wish I could give this more stars, I respect all the miles the author has made around the globe. If the author is reading this: problem is not you, it's me.

[Christina Dudley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting selection of buildings and styles to discuss. I would have liked even more pictures.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the Step Pyramid in Egypt to Rozak House, built in Australia in 2002, this book covers lots of architecture from the ancient world to the modern, both well-known and more obscure. He even includes a couple of Soviet-era buildings that are in bad shape because the current administrations don't like their architectural philosophy or style. (Narkomfin Apartment Building in Moscow, the Melnikov House in Moscow.)
Chapters are: Pioneers, Rhetoric (building with a message), Sacred, Urban Visions, Big and Beautiful, Material Matters, and Lost and Found.
Not nearly enough illustrations, mostly one per building. He also mentions a lot of other buildings that I had to look up. Thank goodness for the Internet, which also gave me other views of the less familiar buildings he talks about.
Highly recommended for fans of architecture, especially the history of architecture.
The Pantheon in Rome, Villa Savoye, Seagram Building; Crac des Chevaliers, Alhambra, Fallingwater, Casa Malaparte in Italy; Hatshepsut's Temple, Hagia Sophia, Durham Cathedral, Angkor Wat, Taj Mahal; Uruk, Petra, Palenque, Machu Pichu, Sydney Opera House; Great Pyramid, Great Wall, Forbidden City; Himeji Castle, Majolikahaus, Lloyd's of London; Ishtar Gate, Catherine Palace, Hatra. And others

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the Step Pyramid of Djoser to the Sydney Opera House, Dan Cruickshank visits 100 buildings that have a meaning in the development of architecture. Very interesting book, sometimes really surprising, but lacks in this pocket version photograph's of every building, and than it gets a bit harder to imagine. Should be read in the vicinity of an I-pad or a computer to search for the images, but when you can do that it is a great work, but if the hardcover has all the pics I would buy that one.

[Aniket Khasgiwale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book covering some of the most well known monuments in the world, and a quite a few not-so-well-known ones that have played an important role in how architecture has developed over the years. I couldn't understand some of the technical nuances as I have not studied architecture, but most of the book was quite accessible and very illuminating.

[Lilly B · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars purely for the format of the book - audio doesn’t suit it well as I spent all my time searching for pictures of the buildings instead of taking in the analysis - also there’s an awful lot of mistakes in the recording, lots of repetitions to change the intonation retrospectively and messing up words etc

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 / 5.0

NICE SELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVE SITES. TEXT MEANDERS AT TIMES MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TELL IF AUTHOR IS TALKING ABOUT SELECTION ITSELF OR SELECTION AS AN ICON OF A TREND IN ARCHITECTURE HISTORY.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't end up thoroughly reading all of this. I think the organization of the buildings was confusing and not a good entry into architectural history. The pictures also didn't really reveal the descriptions. In the end I was just bored.

[Farah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although parts were interesting, I found the overall read a bit dry and disappointing considering I would say I like architecture.

[Rishabh Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like Neil MacGregor’s writing it breaks down neatly and provides an easy format for reading

[Mike Spink · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only criticism is that there could have been a photo of all 100 buildings. I found myself having to stop reading and lookup buildings online to see what they look like

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This looked like a juicy book. Is it a TV spin off or one on its own?

I was surprised to find it a slog initially. Not very wieldy as a bedtime read and the print somehow difficult and unappealing. I almost gave up. But I am glad I didn't as although the organisation into themes was a little spurious, I enjoyed it and felt it had opened my eyes a good deal wider on not just (or even particularly) about architecture but human history. Really, I'd've liked it bigger and with more and lusher photography.

I don't know enough to quibble about Cruikshank's selection (although he hints at disliking the Guggenheim in Bilbao very much) What really hit home was the wanton wickedness of those who seek to obliterate the past just because they can. Small penises or something, I don't know.

[Ed Crutchley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is otherwise a good book suffers from a paucity of photographs. There are typically one or two per subject that often don’t present the best view. Combined with an internet search everything is resolved, but then why go to such lengths with print quality and heavy coated paper and waste the opportunity? I would have preferred everything in one. Was the publisher afraid of weight?

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the pictures and was compelled to read more. The writing was succinct. I wish I did not have though and wish there was more sidebars and captions. I also think the author made very UK centric choices for his 100.