Story of Architecture

Throughout history the creation and shaping of the built environment has been at the forefront of human endeavour. The Story of Architecture is the account of how men and women of ingenuity and imagination have taken the most elementary of human needs and transformed them into some of the greatest manifestations of the human civilization. Each chapter charts a stage in the development of architecture, thus dividing the book into natural study units, and the illustrations and plans are closely keyed to the text. For this new edition, the author has revised and updated the whole text and bibliography, and has greatly expanded the treatment of the modern and contemporary periods. The book has been completely redesigned, with more than 400 illustrations, half of them in colour. Valuable new features are maps, time charts and architects' biographies.'The Story of Architecture brings understanding and insight for those who have encountered the world's architectural heritage in their travels or through the media, and seek to explore it further.' (Perspective) 'Required reading for anyone interested in the evolution of a noble art form. The story is told in a clear and fluent narrative which covers the entire world and the whole of human history. That is some achievement. The author draws on his own architectural experience to inspire the reader to enter the mind of the architect.' (Yorkshire Evening Press) 'Scholars and students of architecture should be grateful that such a compendium of knowledge is contained in one volume and one, too, which gives Asia and the Americas an acknowledged place in history.' (James Macaulay, formerly Senior Lecturer at the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow)