S,M,L,Xl

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Summary: How to pack a city into a book - Lesson 1
Review: This is a dense manifesto of ideas. It might be termed a printed hypertext, with a continuous glossary of terms being defined by Koolhaas this could serve as an alternative dictionary. The book is too broad for simply architecture, urban planning theory &c. which it professes to having as its infrastructure. It deals with all design issues, from the content of OMAs projects, to the beautifully printed and assembled object that is the book itself. Attempt to read as a linear narrative at your own risk.

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Summary: Review by an architect...
Review: This is one of the finest books dealing with Architectural concerns of the last few years. A book which will be read again and again and used as a reference for a lot of parrallel issues a student may come across. I enjoyed the book for the different essays esp. the one on Singapore and Atlanta. that is the beauty of the book. Rather than simply talking about his work He explains the city, site imp. historical references and this is such an important aspect of process today. I also enjoyed his style of writing. serious issues coloured with a lot of wit and humour. A must buy.

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Summary: 5 stars for fakery or No wonder architects get a bad press.
Review: This is one of the most spurious books on architecture and town planning that it has ever been my misfortune to browse through: too long to read and badly needs an editor. Heavyweight only in the sense of it weighing something like 5 pounds. Many of the ideas second-hand or self-evident, and the graphics are hard to follow too. Koolhaas's little jokes with the ® and © symbols are plain unfunny. Phrases like The Emperor'sNew Clothes® or Could Do Better spring to mind. Bernard Meares, Geneva, Switzerland.

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Summary: XL density
Review: This novel is dually satisfying and frustrating. The density of information put forth requires the reader to analyze each page, afraid that if something is missed the entire meaning of the work will be lost. This is, unfortunately, more than any normal being could handle. Each page adds more information to an increasingly overwhelmed mind until you find yourself simply flipping through pages, grasping at the imagery and completely ignoring the text. A few days later, however, the reader's brain will be ready for more, because this book desires and requires to be understood.