The Short Story of Architecture: A Pocket Guide to Key Styles, Buildings, Elements Materials (Architectural History Introduction, A Guide to Architecture) by Susie Hodge

The Short Story of Architecture: A Pocket Guide to Key Styles, Buildings, Elements Materials (Architectural History Introduction, A Guide to Architecture) Reviews

• 
  Ricardo Torres Ibarra

  Básico y necesario ! Después de este libro entiendes más la historia de los lugares que visitas, aprecias la belleza de las diferentes ciudades y puedes disfrutar de una buena taza de café ☕️ mientras ves el rascacielos en el que estás o la catedral gótica que está frente al restaurante en el que estás desayunando.
• 
  Online Eccentric Librarian

  

  More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog
  http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

  This is a nice quick study guide on various architecture styles from ancient (Pyramids of Egypt) to Modern (High-Tech). The book breaks down into four sections: Styles (e.g., byzantine, Moorish, Art Nouveau); Elements (e.g., Wall, Balcony, Arcade, Dome, Gable); Materials (e.g., Plastic, Bamboo, Steel, Titanium), and the largest section is a selection of notable buildings (e.g, Chartres Cathedral, FallingWater, Habitat 67, Pantheon). Interestingly enough, the order of appearance is: 1) Styles, 2) Buildings, 3) Elements, 4) Materials. I would have put the buildings last since they are made up of the other 3 sections.
  
  Each one of the sections has an introduction in the front of the book as well as a really nice set of images on how the book is set up for each building. The design is consistent throughout and you can easily find e.g., a building or style and find out more about it easily and quickly.
  
  The four areas are presented chronologically. Cross references are found at the bottom of every page to help establish connections with other sections. Feature boxes discuss developments and backgrounds of the architects, buildings, materials, or styles. Each page has an example photograph with interesting information about that building/feature and why it was chosen to represent that entry. E.g., The Red House (home of William Morris) was the chosen image/building to describe Arts and Crafts. Toda-ji temple in Nara Japan was pictured for Wood construction buildings. Helsinki Central Railway Station was chosen for the page on Walls due to its unique exterior.
  
  Since this is a pocket guide, everything is nicely presented in a 2 column format with break-out sections and then similar items and their page numbers listed at the bottom. Each page has a large main title, key information such as architectures, other key works, year, architecture, location and sometimes additional images as needed. A few entries such as Versailles and Villa Savoye come with full page photos as well as detail photos. Each entry comes with several nicely condensed paragraphs of information.
  
  As a quick reference to help increase your knowledge of architecture, this is perfect. Small, digestible, and very easy to use. It's something you can enjoy on a train or plane trip or at home. I found I wanted to use a computer to look up more info on these buildings and so preferred to read it by my computer. In all, beautifully presented, well-thought out, and exactly what it purports to be - a great pocket reference on architecture. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
• 
  April Taylor

  This pocket guide does exactly what it promises by providing a very concise introduction to the styles, buildings, elements, and materials that have influenced architecture throughout history. Beginning with the Ancient Egyptian style (and later looking at the Great Pyramid, wall, and stone to complete the buildings, elements, and materials of the Ancient Egyptian style) and ending with the Deconstructivist style, you'll get a one-page overview of each style before encountering the Buildings section of the book. After which, there's a section full of Elements, followed by Materials.
  
  This isn't meant for people who have a very firm grasp on architecture already. Instead, its purpose is to help educate those who know little to nothing about architecture and want to change that. Of course, the one page per entry style means that you'll only get an introduction to the topic, but it should tell you enough to let you determine if you wish to study architecture in greater detail.
  
  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.
• 
  Cristiano

  I am an architect and most certainly enjoyed this book. But being a professional, I am not sure I am part of the targeted audience. The book has an interesting structure and is devided into four encyclopedic parts: 1) Styles, 2) Buildings, 3) Elements and 4) Materials. Especially the chapters Elements and Materials are a nice take on architectural history and will offer valuable information for none professionals!
  
  I see this book as an encyclopedia to get basic information on verious topics. But the very short chapters are really just a starting point. The images are very helpful thorughout and the layout is clean and helps the reader navigate the book.
  
  You are looking for a Short Story of Architecture? That is exactly what you get, in the best possible way.
  
  Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a review copy.
• 
  matt

  The Short Story of Architecture is a beautiful read, taking you from the Ancient Egyptian to the rather more modern Deconstructionism. The layout is sleek bordering on minimal, and the images are crisp. The text is composed of four sections: Styles; Buildings; Elements; and Materials. I found this to be a useful division as ‘Styles’ provides the grounding and framework, ‘Buildings’ then creates a recognisable visual which ‘Elements’ and ‘Materials’ can further explore.
  
  I particularly loved the use of cross-referencing at the foot of each page, it allowed me to explore the book based on my personal whims rather than just reading it from cover to cover.
  
  I would recommend this text to those who are new to the subject of architecture, or who would like a small reference book to take on their travels.
  
  *I received a free copy of this via NetGalley for review*
• 
  Kristine

  The Short Story of Architecture by Susie Hodge is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in late September.
  
  1-2 page entries on chapters related to architectural styles, famous structures, parts of a floor plan/blueprint, and building materials. The references on each page as to the chapters that relate to one another (i.e. Shaker - Hancock Shaker Village - Brick - Wood - Glass) make it seem like a resource tome (rather than the coffee table book that I thought it was) and not a ‘story’ at all.
• 
  Steve

  Great short read
  
  I enjoyed this book. There is no fluff here, nothing extra. It’s just a great overview of some great buildings, architectural styles and materials. The photographs are beautiful and the writing crisp and clear. I recommend this book for anyone who wants an introduction to architecture and some insights in the buildings around us or that predate us.
  Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.
  
• 
  Max Miko

  Покупал эту книгу, чтобы лучше понимать окружающую меня архитектуру в родной стране и заграницей. Но к сожалению не совсем оправдала мои ожидания. Это больше похоже на книгу буклет с очень кратким описанием стиля. Ссылки на здания и материалы не совсем удобны. Эта книга скорее о развлекательном чтении, чем о образовании. Но ставлю четыре звезды за приятную обложку, оформление и хоть сколько-нибудь базовое понимание стилей. Но очевидно, что нужно купить еще что-нибудь по этой теме.
• 
  Dakota Morgan

  Interesting, though not fascinating. Susie Hodge covers key trends, buildings, design elements, and materials, but there's a surfeit of technical details, name-dropping, and repetition, with a limited array of fun facts or surprises. Hodge also describes a number of interesting-sounding buildings without any accompanying photos. More images please!
• 
  Axel Flodin vacher

  This book is to me a glossary over concepts in the field of architecture. The presentation is great and I could definitely find myself having a copy of it in my library if I would find the book in a thrift store.
• 
  Tommy Stark

  Wow, i had no idea, the Architecture can be so interesting. I had zero knowledge from topic. This is really good book for greenie, like me.
  
  Also, my future trips, i look at the buildings in totally different way.
• 
  Luciana Martinez

  A veces habla de cosas que no muestra en imágenes, del interior por ejemplo, o menciona obras que tampoco muestra y si la querés ver la tenés que buscar en google. Más allá de eso está bastante completo, abarca muchas cosas y la información es cierta.
• 
  Ubiraven

  Очень базово о стилях, элементах и материалах. Для человека из другой области (меня) пойдёт для начала. Оформление отличное
• 
  Ahmet Yağlıcı

  A story without Sinan :/
• 
  GONZA

  Styles, buildings and materials are used in this book as keywords to describe architecture as a journey that from the past leads us to the present and maybe even helps us to look at the future that awaits us. If you are not familiar with the subject, this is a perfect book to begin with.
  
  Stili, palazzi e materiali, vengono usati in questo libro come parole chiave per descrivere l'architettura come un viaggio che dal passato ci porta al presente e magari ci aiuta anche a gettare uno sguardo sull'eventuale futuro che ci aspetta. Se siete poco ferrati sull'argomento, questo é un libro perfetto per cominciare.
  
  THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!
• 
  Marika K

  Najchętniej dałabym 3.5 - bo brakuje ocenie 4, ale 3 może jest trochę surowa. To naprawdę "krótkie" wprowadzenie do architektury. Dużo suchych faktów, mniej ciekawostek, które pozwoliłyby zapamiętać i odróżnić jeden styl od drugiego. Pewne kwestie powtarzają się w książce po kilka razy i to marnowanie miejsca, znacznie obniżające odbiór.