A History of Western Architecture

By David Watkin

Book Overview

In this highly acclaimed reference work David Watkin traces the history of western architecture from the earliest times in Mesopotamia and Egypt to the eclectic styles of the twenty-first century. The author emphasizes the ongoing vitality of the Classical language of architecture, underlining the continuity between, say, the work of Ictinus in fifth-century BC Athens and that of McKim, Mead and White in twentieth-century New York. Authoritative, comprehensive and highly illustrated, this sixth edition has been expanded to bring the story of western architecture right up to date and includes a separate final chapter on twenty-first century developments, including the role of computers in architecture, sustainability, humanitarian architecture, and very tall buildings.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1780675976
• ISBN13: 9781780675978
• Release Date: June 2015
• Publisher: Laurence King
• Length: 736 Pages
• Weight: 4.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 7.4" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

Expanded Version of an Old Favorite

This is the fourth edition of this monumental book. This edition has been expanded to include additional coverage of Egyptian and Mesopotamian architecture at the early end, and the coverage of the architecture of the twentieth century has been greatly expanded. There is also expanded coverage of the architecture from Asia, particular that of Japan. The book now has 50 color and 931 black and white photographs. Most of these are from Europe, but the rest of the world does have some coverage. The increased size and scope of the book now presents a continuous coverage of the evolution of architecture from the earliest building, about 5000 B.C. to buildings constructed in the twenty first century. It is the most complete single volume history of architecture available and it's new edition is greatly improved. The author, David Watkin is Professor of the History of Architecture at the University of Cambridge.

A History from Ancient Rome to the Present, Well Illustrated

Suprisingly the book begins with Ancient Rome, leaving the Caves, Stonehenge, and Egypt out, but as a result has more time to explore Western Architecture in greater depth for a Survey Book. The photographs are excellent, with many in color.