Chicago Architecture (2-Volume Set)

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Architectural Overview of Chicago
Review: This two volume set is a collection of essays from experts, each dealing with an aspect of Chicago's growing and evolving architecture from before the fire 'til today. This isn't just a study of the evolution of skyscrapers. It covers everything from the region's airports, to shopping malls, to personal residences. But yes, Chicago's role in the evolution of high rise buildings does take center stage. If Chicago architecture fascinates you, this two-volume collection is a must. And if you'd like to learn how a big city adjusts to changing social and technical forces, there's an awful lot here. From the impact of the car, to the impact of zoning restrictions - yes, there's a reason why the Chicago and New York skylines are very different - this book will tell you how and why a city grows. Some authors you'll greatly enjoy, and some are dry as dust. But each essay is just 10 pages or so long, so you can skip what you don't like and move on to areas of interest. The books are chock full of photographs, which is worth the purchase price even without any text.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Architectural Overview of Chicago
Review: This two volume set is a collection of essays from experts, each dealing with an aspect of Chicago's growing and evolving architecture from before the fire `til today. This isn't just a study of the evolution of skyscrapers. It covers everything from the region's airports, to shopping malls, to personal residences. But yes, Chicago's role in the evolution of high rise buildings does take center stage. If Chicago architecture fascinates you, this two-volume collection is a must. And if you'd like to learn how a big city adjusts to changing social and technical forces, there's an awful lot here. From the impact of the car, to the impact of zoning restrictions - yes, there's a reason why the Chicago and New York skylines are very different - this book will tell you how and why a city grows. Some authors you'll greatly enjoy, and some are dry as dust. But each essay is just 10 pages or so long, so you can skip what you don't like and move on to areas of interest. The books are chock full of photographs, which is worth the purchase price even without any text.