Around The World In Eighty Treasures

by Dan Cruickshank

One of Britain's leading authorities on historic architecture takes readers on a tour of mankind's greatest monuments in this companion volume to the BBC television series. Documenting his extraordinary four and a half month journey to eighty historic sites around the world, Dan Cruickshank's new book is lavishly illustrated with majestic images of international treasures like the Great Wall of China and the Parthenon in Athens, as well as American wonders such as the Statue of Liberty. Accompanying these breathtaking sights is Cruickshank's daily diary, in which he describes the challenges and joys of life on the road, shares stories of the people he meets along the way, and offers illuminating insights on some of the greatest achievements in human history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel, Art, Geography

Hardcover

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

Dan Cruickshank (1949 - ) is a British art historian and BBC television presenter, with a special interest in the history of architecture.

He holds a BA in Art, Design and Architecture and was formerly a Visiting Professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Sheffield and a member of the London faculty of the University of Delaware. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, a member of the Executive Committee of the Georgian Group and on the Architectural Panel of the National Trust.

Reviews

[Jack Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes witty, sometimes acerbic, always entertaining. A gentle and informative trip around the world showing the many facets of human ingenuity, art and in a very real sense, treasure.

[Starfish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost gave up on this -- the diary style is dry, Cruickshank's observations ponderous, his conclusions trite and forced -- in one place, talking about the Japanese placing pebbles in front of bibbed statues, he got his facts wrong. I suppose that's the danger of making a whirlwind tour of country, culture and history -- however, the fact that he didn't get deeply involved with the cultures he visited meant that he could make surface judgements about the similarities in motif and construction of the buildings he visited that someone who knew more might be blind to -- and the similarities are interesting. I'm not convinced they're as significant as Cruickshank feels, but his case is interesting, his 80 treasures fascinating and the diary, with its hints of tensions between the film crew (the book was written to accompany a TV show) and the frequent misunderstandings with local officials were the most interesting for me, showing how the mis-match in culture can produce stress and how those stresses can be open to many interpretations.

[Stephen Coates · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 2005, British art historian Dan Cruickshank produced a TV series titled "Around the World in 80 Treasures" in which he featured 80 treasures, themselves ranging from architectural monuments, both modern and ancient, and rock art as well as a few weapons, items of clothing and items of jewellery. This book is the printed account of the trip. It does provide a more detailed description of the chosen treasures than the documentary. However, some of the said treasures while described are without an accompanying photograph and a few too many also include Dan, reminiscent of those annoying "here’s me in front of ..." holiday photos. Most surprising was that, although he visited, through some considerable effort assisted by a local strongman, an ancient minaret in Afghanistan which made it into the documentary, this was not mentioned in the book. That being said, the background research into the monuments in question made their descriptions quite interesting, even if their selection was somewhat eclectic.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

This odyssey is now 10 years old, covering 40 countries exploring 80 man-made treasures.
I laughed in recognition of Cruickshank's early observation of tourists: "...determined, grim, humourless, aggressive, rude, and apparently miserable."

Two themes throughout is that all civilisations - no matter how high and mighty - do eventually fall.
And: "Visual similarities between different civilisations often seen to be too overwhelming to be mere coincidence." For example the cube Dan sees throughout the world represents the world of man. The spherical dome the world of God. Religion being the cause of man to make most of Cruickshank's 80 chosen treasures.

There are pictures for each treasure, the visual along with the BBC TV series helps the written explanations. His architectural knowledge and passion for buildings such as The Pantheon in Rome also makes you more appreciative of these difficult accomplishments.

[Gábor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is trip. First literally, by Dan and his crew circling the globe in 6 month visiting the 80 treasures. It is also a trip with Dan's deadpan British humor (especially when struggling with various bureaucrats trying to get access to a selected treasure and when haggling with street vendors) while still maintaining sensibilities to cultural differences. Many of the selected treasures are buildings, partially reflecting his background in architecture, and some of the choices might be surprising. The book probably best read augmenting the DVDs (of the same title), and in many cases offer just a bit deeper perspective of the treasure discussed. Watching the DVDs, you might just look forward to hearing: "but this is NOT my treasure" :)

[Hdmsisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is a cheat. I watched the delightful BBC DVD which I picked up at the library on chance and then requested the book through inter-library loan. The book was something of a disappointment because I was expecting more pictures and less words. However, I love Dan Cruickshank and enjoyed traveling around the world with him. Once he walks into a room displaying a collection of hair and says, "That's appalling. I mean, wonderful." He is a delightful travelling companion and his selection of 80 world treasures is the best collection I've come across.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the snippets of treasures around the world. Want more pictures---after awhile I read blips about most, and the really interesting things I read all. I will give the documentary from BBC a try.

[Bethnoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Cruickshank's descriptions of the places he visited. I've never seen him on TV, so was pleasantly surprised by his voice. Nice to dip in and out of.