Rating: 
Summary: A good book !
Review: A good price for a book that all architecture students should have
Rating: 
Summary: Changed my life - literally
Review: During sophomore year at a small liberal arts college, I was an art history major who just happened to take "The History of Modern Architecture." Our literature for the 20th century was this book. May I add that by the end of the semester (and the book, I DARE you to read all of it) I decided to become an architect? This sort of critical survey changes the way you look at buildings, especially in the United States where so much of our architecture IS relatively modern or somehow fits into the grand scheme of modern architecture. Its a tough read at times, but it has been my Bible to use as a reference, as inspiration. The thing weighs a TON and you can bet I lugged it with me all the way to Italy when I studied there for a year! So if think architecture might be interesting to you but you don't know much about it, PLEASE buy this book. It is a fantastic resource and a very rewarding read. Thorough, with lots of pictures and a great flow and organization. If anything, it will give you an incredibly new appreciation of the architecture around us.
Rating:
Summary: Changed my life - literally
Review: During sophomore year at a small liberal arts college, I was an art history major who just happened to take "The History of Modern Architecture." Our literature for the 20th century was this book. May I add that by the end of the semester (and the book, I DARE you to read all of it) I decided to become an architect? This sort of critical survey changes the way you look at buildings, especially in the United States where so much of our architecture IS relatively modern or somehow fits into the grand scheme of modern architecture. Its a tough read at times, but it has been my Bible to use as a reference, as inspiration. The thing weighs a TON and you can bet I lugged it with me all the way to Italy when I studied there for a year! So if think architecture might be interesting to you but you don't know much about it, PLEASE buy this book. It is a fantastic resource and a very rewarding read. Thorough, with lots of pictures and a great flow and organization. If anything, it will give you an incredibly new appreciation of the architecture around us.
Rating:
Summary: Ambitious attempt at covering 20th century architecture
Review: I read this book for an architecture class. This book is an excellent text book or reference material because of the comprehensive coverage. The depth of material varies according to the importance of architects. For example, Le Corbusier had several chapters devoted to him while I.M. Pei was barely mentioned. The organization of materials is chronolgical, which makes it somewhat discontinous. But overall, it's a good book for intermediate readers.
Rating:
Summary: Very good book
Review: If you've ever wanted to know the difference between Art Nouveau and Modernism (for example) this book will help you understand it, and provide you with notable examples of each. And many, many more of the styles and -isms of the last 100 years.
Yes, I read every page. Carefully. Sometime soon I will do it again.
Rating:
Summary: A very impressive survey of Modern Architecture
Review: Modern Architecture since 1900 is an impressive overview, delving into the late 18th century and 19th century roots as well. Mr. Curtis approaches the subject thematically which makes it easier for the reader to understand the many currents in modern architecture. As one would expect Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe figure prominantly in this work. However, the author examines the influences on their work, as well as the impact they had on modern architecture, providing many intriguing links, such as the one between Wright and Mies.The chapters which particularly stood out in my mind were "Architecture and Revolution in Russia" and "Totalitarian Critiques on the Modern Movement." In the first mentioned chapter, Curtis charted the rise of the avant-garde in Russia, its leading figures, and its confrontation with the Constructivists. In the second mentioned chapter, Curtis examined the attitudes toward modern architecture by Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini, who was the only one of the three to accept modern architecture. Like all his chapters, Curtis presents the information in a clear cogent format. Most illucidating is the widespread influence of modern architecture in Asia, Central and South America. He focuses primarily on India, Mexico, and Brazil, illustrating how modern architecture has been adapted to suit the cultural as well as climactic concerns of these countries. Le Corbusier looms large. But Curtis also notes the regional influences that led to counter movements, such as that inspired by Hassan Fathy. Curtis is critical of the current trends in contemporary architecture. He questions the integrity of the latter-day modernists, post-modernists and deconstructionists. He is drawn more to the individual works of Norman Foster, Renzo Piano and Frank Gehry, which he feels express a deeper understanding of modern architectural principles. One couldn't ask for more in this book. It is the most impressive survey of modern architecture since Giedion's "Space, Time and Architecture."
Rating:
Summary: A very impressive survey of Modern Architecture
Review: Modern Architecture since 1900 is an impressive overview, delving into the late 18th century and 19th century roots as well. Mr. Curtis approaches the subject thematically which makes it easier for the reader to understand the many currents in modern architecture. As one would expect Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe figure prominantly in this work. However, the author examines the influences on their work, as well as the impact they had on modern architecture, providing many intriguing links, such as the one between Wright and Mies. The chapters which particularly stood out in my mind were "Architecture and Revolution in Russia" and "Totalitarian Critiques on the Modern Movement." In the first mentioned chapter, Curtis charted the rise of the avant-garde in Russia, its leading figures, and its confrontation with the Constructivists. In the second mentioned chapter, Curtis examined the attitudes toward modern architecture by Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini, who was the only one of the three to accept modern architecture. Like all his chapters, Curtis presents the information in a clear cogent format. Most illucidating is the widespread influence of modern architecture in Asia, Central and South America. He focuses primarily on India, Mexico, and Brazil, illustrating how modern architecture has been adapted to suit the cultural as well as climactic concerns of these countries. Le Corbusier looms large. But Curtis also notes the regional influences that led to counter movements, such as that inspired by Hassan Fathy. Curtis is critical of the current trends in contemporary architecture. He questions the integrity of the latter-day modernists, post-modernists and deconstructionists. He is drawn more to the individual works of Norman Foster, Renzo Piano and Frank Gehry, which he feels express a deeper understanding of modern architectural principles. One couldn't ask for more in this book. It is the most impressive survey of modern architecture since Giedion's "Space, Time and Architecture."
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional book
Review: Since several others have shared similar comments, all I can do is confirm that this is truly an exceptional book, filled with very informative and well-written text and many rare illustrations.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for students
Review: This is a wonderful book for students. All is clear and easy to understand.
I recommend it to all.
Rating:
Summary: Stylish, authoritative and stimulating.
Review: This is indeed a substantial volume, yet quite unlike many others of its magnitude, stimulating and readable at the same time. William Curtis provides a detailed overview of very numerous architects and assesses the extent of their influence in a very even-handed manner, avoiding the arbitrariness one frequently observes in other literature of the ilk. It has been asserted that the publication is directed at Architecture undergraduates. I must comment, as an outsider to this field of study, that Curtis has written a book that is not only accessible to the uninitiated, but one which serves to encourage further interest, reading and involvement in the great school of modern architecture. This is a compliment which one can pay to only a very limited number of authors, in whatever domain their authority may lie.
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