The Annotated Arch: History Of Architecture

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Summary: Everything you ever wanted to know about architecture & more
Review: This book is jam-packed with information, presented in a fascinating, readable manner. The introductory chapter explains the elements of architecture which helps the reader appreciate the extraordinary buildings humans have created through the ages. The chronological progression of the rest of the book's chapters highlights major trends and developments in building styles and materials, demystifying the origins of many of today's structures. The book is just as easy to read straight through, as it zooms along through the history of architecture "from the Stone Age to the Space Age," as it is to locate a topic of particular interest and to start there. The glossary and extensive index make it easy to quickly learn about any one subject, building, or architect, and the numerous sidebars and timelines help the reader understand the context in which a building was created.
The beautiful pictures and interesting stories bring you right to the doorstep of humanity's greatest achievements. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever wondered why a building is considered special, and think it would be a terrific present as well. Enjoy!