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Summary
Summary
Containing over 6,000 entries from Aalto to ziggurat, this authoritative dictionary of architecture covers all periods of Western architectural history, from ancient times to the present day. Beautifully illustrated and written in a clear and concise style, it also includes brief biographies of leading architects, from Brunelleschi and Imhotep to Le Corbusier and Richard Rogers. The text is complimented by over 250 beautiful and meticulous line drawings, labeled cross-sections and diagrams. These include precise drawings of typical building features, making it easy for readers to identify particular period styles.
The first edition of the Dictionary of Architecture received excellent reviews. Now it has been fully revised and expanded, bringing it completely up-to-date. New entries include definitions of landscape terms and biographies of modern architects. Each entry is followed by a mini-bibliography, with suggestions for further reading. It also contains over 50 new illustrations.
This is an essential work of reference for anyone with an interest in architecture. With clear descriptions providing in-depth analysis, the second edition of A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture is invaluable for students and professional architects, and provides a fascinating wealth of information for the general reader.
Author Notes
Professor James Stevens Curl is a leading British architectural historian. His many stimulating studies include The English Heritage Book of Victorian Churches, Egyptomania: The Egyptian Revival as a Recurring Theme in the History of Taste, A Celebration of Death, Classical Architecture, and The Art and Architecture of Freemasonry (which won the Sir Banister Fletcher award for Best Book of the Year on Architecture in 1992). From 1970 to 1973 he was Architectural Editor of the Survey of London, and was Architectural Adviser to the Scottish Committee for European Architectural Heritage Year 1975.
Reviews (3)
Booklist Review
It is not clear whether this second edition contains more than 6,000 (dust jacket) or merely more than 5,000 (Oxford University Press Web site) entries; the book itself provides no help beyond the unappealing prospect of counting them. In any case, the number is substantial and seems more than sufficient, according to the author, to help architecture "become more accessible to the general public" and to provide a source of "helpful information" for students and professionals. More than 250 of author Curl's own detailed and stylish line drawings complement the text. With a small percentage of relevant exceptions, coverage has been limited to "Europe, the British Isles, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and Latin America." To cite some exceptions, there are entries on contemporary Japanese architects whose contributions have been felt beyond Japan and on terms of non-Western origin ( mandala,0 stupa0 ) that are commonly included in general dictionaries of the English language. The preponderance of entries is architectural terms, many with multiple definitions and some (including arcade, arch, capital,0 and rustication0 ) differentiating the many types of each in both word and diagram. The entry on chimney0 is followed by 25 short entries of hyphenated words, beginning with chimney-arch0 and ending with chimney-wing.0 The many hundreds of biographical entries tend to be longer and livelier, often giving Curl a chance to show off his enthusiasms but also crammed with solid information on their subjects' importance and major works. Cross-referencing, especially within entries, is extensive. Many entries conclude with references keyed to a large list of abbreviations or works cited in the preface, which includes a three-page bibliographical essay on key architectural reference works. The first edition, published in 1999 as The Dictionary of Architecture,0 included a 70-page bibliography that was unfortunately omitted in the second edition. The new edition has, however, increased the number of entries and line drawings by an aggregate of some 118 pages. Though it lacks the useful national surveys found in the standard Penguin Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture0 (5th ed., 1998), the Oxford Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture0 is more current for contemporary architects and trends and is highly recommended for academic and public libraries. --Craig Bunch Copyright 2006 Booklist
Choice Review
This second edition fully revises and expands Curl's A Dictionary of Architecture (1999), completely updating it in addition to merging landscape architecture into the coverage. Containing over 6,000 entries from Aalto to zystos (a cross-reference to xystus), this authoritative dictionary of architecture covers all periods of Western architectural history from ancient times to the present. Beautifully illustrated and written in a clear, concise style, it includes brief biographies of leading architects, from Brunelleschi and Imhotep to Le Corbusier and Richard Rogers. New entries include definitions of landscape terms and biographies of modern architects. Each entry is followed by a mini-bibliography with suggestions for further reading. This work also contains over 50 new illustrations; more than 250 beautiful and meticulous line drawings, labeled cross-sections, and diagrams complement the text. These include precise drawings of typical building features, making it easy for readers to identify particular period styles. This invaluable reference, with clear descriptions providing in-depth analysis, will appeal to anyone with an interest in architecture, from students to professional architects to general readers. ^BSumming Up: Essential. All levels. A. E. Bonnette Lafayette (LA) Public Library
Library Journal Review
Leading British architectural historian Curl (emeritus, Leicester Polytechnic), who has written many standard works and journal articles on architectural history, among them Classical Architecture and Victorian Architecture, has revised and expanded his authoritative dictionary, first published in 1999, to elucidate further the many stylistic and technical terms used in architecture today. The work covers all periods of Western architectural history in more than 5000 articles, most of which are concise. The article for Frank Lloyd Wright, for example, is allotted two pages, including two floor plans. Included for the first time are landscape terms, landscape architects, and entries for contemporary architects. Abbreviated citations refer the reader to the sources, and cross references abound. Bottom Line The main competition for this latest edition of Curl's work is John Fleming and others' more established Penguin Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, now in its fifth edition. Both are certainly authoritative, but Curl's work has the edge for now, being more current and bulkier and containing more illustrations and generally longer articles. Recommended for academic, specialized, and large public libraries with architecture collections. David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., B.C. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Table of Contents
Preface |
Dictionary |
Bibliography |