Great Architecture Of The World

by John Julius Norwich

Great Architecture of the World is not only a major and lasting reference work, but also an aesthetic treasure. For the student its style of illustration is explicit and informative; for the traveler a gazetteer is added, giving a country-by-country listing of the world's greatest buildings; and for all of us, this volume provides an exciting and compelling history of our common architectural heritage.

Genres: Architecture, History, Art, Nonfiction, Reference

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 1975

About the author

John Julius Norwich was an English historian, writer, and broadcaster known for his engaging books on European history and culture. The son of diplomat and politician Duff Cooper and socialite Lady Diana Manners, he received an elite education at Eton, Strasbourg, and Oxford, and served in the Foreign Service before dedicating himself to writing full-time.
He authored acclaimed works on Norman Sicily, Venice, Byzantium, the Mediterranean, and the Papacy, as well as popular anthologies like Christmas Crackers. He was also a familiar voice and face in British media, presenting numerous television documentaries and radio programs. A champion of cultural heritage, he supported causes such as the Venice in Peril Fund and the World Monuments Fund.
Norwich’s wide-ranging output, wit, and accessible style made him a beloved figure in historical writing.

Reviews

[Bart Hendrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice overview of the history of architecture. The diagrams and drawings are really nice. Two drawbacks: a lot of pictures are black and white and the terminology can be quite difficult to grasp if you're a newbie to this sort of thing (fortunately there's a list of definitions included at the end, make sure to use it!).

[Filip · Rating 4 out of 5]

In short Great Architecture of the World is great book for those who seek some very basic knowledge about history of architecture its origins, what shaped architecture, most famous representatives of architecture. It is fun and educational way to get a first grasph of arcitecture. (note: get youreself a copy with colored pictures, I got myself a copy with black and white pictures so it was not as good as it should be)

[Faisal]

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[Dianne Merridith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is divided chronologically into two-page spreads on the architecture of the world from ancient times to the present. The text is minimal, only a couple of paragraphs per section. The rest of each section is devoted to illustrations, mostly in color and generally more informative than the text. A good introduction to various types of architecture.