Architecture for Beginners

Rating:
Summary: Capital!
Review: If, like me, you've ever wandered around thinking, ah yes, interesting column, from the ionoricesque ahem period, yes, indeed - but wished you actually KNEW what period or style you were looking at - this is absolutely the book for you. A wealth of information, both historical and structural, about architecture and architects. I found this book easy to read, informative and entertaining, thanks to a host of tiny cartoons which slip you information without you quite noticing it, like hiding cauliflower in macaroni and cheese.

A very worthwhile book.

Rating:
Summary: A comic-style history of architecture full of humour
Review: What a pleasure to read this book; it is witty and now and then mordant.
It explains the changing styles of buildings on the basis of the societies, their technical abilities, and their power structure, as well as the self-importance of rulers and architects.
All pages are approximately half text and half comic drawings, often with a touch of sarcasm.
Enjoy it!