Architectural Theory. Pioneering Texts on Architecture from the Renaissance to Today

Amazing Book

I very strongly dislike the tiny print. Taschen should be aware that diverse age groups read books. The print in this book is, I assume, easily readable for a young student under intense light. It is not easily readable for a much older person reading under energy efficient lighting. I can read it, slowly and with difficulty by holding it close to my eyes and painstakingly working out the meaning of each sentence. The effort magnifies the difficulty of absorbing the gist of each sentence. Holding the book close makes evident another problem: The book is very heavy. At 575 pages, the overall weight would have benefited from using thinner paper. Better yet, this book should be published in two or three volumes, with larger pages, as befits the scope of history being examined. The illustrations appear well chosen but would also have gained from having been made larger scale. I find it ironic that the inside cover of my paperback edition has a three-paragraph statement on "The Art of Making Books." A primary meaning of books is to present thought. This book does not do well at the task.

bom

exccellent

Great book.

I am not an architect but like 75% of the population if I didn't go into x I would have chosen architecture so naturally this book interested me. And Taschen has a very good reputation.From the description "This book brings together all of the most important and influential essays about architecture written since the Renaissance, copiously illustrated and neatly organized chronologically by country." Well yes and no. The essays themselves are not in this publication. I suppose in retrospect I was foolish to think they would be here. The essays are only referenced. There is a brief description of the architect and their formative essay which, one supposes, moved the theory of architecture forward. But if you are looking for the meat you will have to look deeper.So if you are looking for a general jumping off point in your life quest on Architectural Theory this is the book for you. If you are looking for a general, look-no-further, reference then find another volume on Architectural Theory. This is not it.