From Library Journal
Graf and Reichold (coauthors of Paintings That Changed the World) define their selection of buildings/structures that "changed the world" in terms of providing "the stuff of history." Less an architectural history than a cultural and historical journey, their text chronicles 86 notable world structures, including fortresses, castles, palaces, bridges, churches, and temples. As with any "best-of" list, some inclusions (Goetheanum by Rudolf Steiner) and other exclusions (any modern high-rise building such as the Seagram's Building or Lever House) are open to question. The large format and profuse illustrations (more than 400, mostly in color) provide a visually stimulating, if not an intellectually challenging, introduction to many architectural icons. The travelog-style narrative limits the book's usefulness in academic collections, but this is highly recommended for popular collections.-Jay Schafer, Bay Path Coll. Lib., Longmeadow, MA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Now available in an attractive flexi-cover edition, Buildings that Changed the World takes the reader on an unconventional and lively journey around the globe and through the history of human civilization, introducing many architectural icons and offering an overview of four thousand years of architectural history. By linking buildings to the people who constructed and lived in them, and by presenting stories and myths connected with them, this book offers an accessible approach to architectural history. Including stunning photographs, plans and entertaining texts, Buildings that Changed the World is a combination of architectural historical information with delightful anecdotes and illustrations.


Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German


From the Publisher
How did the Statue of Liberty get to New York Harbor? Why was the Eiffel Tower ridiculed when it was first built? Why was the ruined Mexican city Teotihuacan considered to be the seat of the gods? Why doess a street run along the top of the Great Wall of China? How did the gardens of the royal castle in Brussels take revenge on their owners? By linking the buildings to the people who erected and lived in them, and by introducing us to stories and myths connected with them, architectural history is presented to the reader as a combination of art historical information with delightful anecdotes.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"The Great Pyramid at Giza or the Tower of London have always captured the attention and imagination of people throughout the ages. Some edifices have become symbols not only of a single place but of a whole country or civilization. Try thinking of France without the Eiffel Tower or of America without the Statue of Liberty! Buildings that Changed the World explores the world of architecture in an accessible and highly readable way." Structures - be they buildings, bridges or monumental edifices - are a prerequisite for human life, and an ever-present factor in our modern-day world. Buildings that Changed the World takes the reader on a journey around the globe and through the history of human civilization, introducing many architectural icons, and offering an overview of four thousand years of architectural history. By linking the buildings to the people who erected and lived in them, and by introducing us to stories and myths connected with them, an accessible approach to architectural history is presented to the reader - a combination of art-historical information with delightful anecdotes. Included are full-page illustrations of the buildings together with informative plans and texts outlining the significance and history of each structure.

SYNOPSIS

Now available in an attractive flexi-cover edition, Buildings that Changed the World takes the reader on an unconventional and lively journey around the globe and through the history of human civilization, introducing many architectural icons, and offering an overview of four thousand years of architectural history. By linking buildings to the people who constructed and lived in them, and by presenting stories and myths connected with them, this book offers an accessible approach to architectural history. Including stunning photographs, plans and entertaining texts, Buildings that Changed the World is a combination of architectural historical information with delightful anecdotes. Included are full-page illustrations of the buildings together with delightful anecdotes and illustrations.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal