Books on architecture (theory and history)

[Markus Palomar]

Hi, I would like to purchase some good books on architecture for my private library. After a quick scan on amazon I've found the following titles.

1. Principles of architecture ==================== Francis D. K. Ching - Architecture: Form, Space, & Order (3rd Edition,

2007)

1. General history of architecture ======================== Francis D. K. Ching, Mark M. Jarzombek, and Vikramaditya Prakash - A Global History of Architecture (1st Edition, 2006) David Watkin - A History of Western Architecture (3rd Edition, 2005)

1. Modern Architecture ================= William Curtis - Modern Architecture Since 1900 (3rd Edition, 2006) Kenneth Frampton - Modern Architecture: A Critical History (3rd Edition, 1992)

Please give me your expert opinion/preference about them. Also feel free to suggest any other seminal book in these areas. I will buy one book in each category.

Thanks Markus

[Aesthete]

2006)

2005)

2006)

1992)

For history, I think Spiro Kostoff's A History of Architecture is widely accepted as the most thorough.

[Markus Palomar]

Aesthete ha scritto:

I can't find this book on amazon. Probably it is out of print.

[Michael Bulatovich]

I've got a copy...I never touch it.

[++]

Could be because someone didn't spell his name correctly. Try Spiridon Kostov. Or Spiro Kostov

[Markus Palomar]

++ ha scritto:

Found!

Spiro Kostof - A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals (2nd Edition 1995)

Thanks for the tip. It's a solid book.

However I'm yet looking for comments on the books that are on my short list (se first post in this thread) :)

[++]

What is the point of your reading. What do you wish to accomplish? Design? Develop? Plan? Innovate in? Solve? Effect?

[Markus Palomar]

++ ha scritto:

I'm not (and I'll never be) an architect but I've recently fall in love with architecture. So I would to build some solid foundations for this discipline throught authoritative and well written books on theory and history of architecture. That's all!

[o8TY]

You may be interested in Fungitecture, currently parked at

[++]

Hmm, Christopher Alexander books...get a copy of Architectural Graphic standards and kind a thumb through (you can get a less than current edition for less)...purchase lots of Dover architectural and building books....take a couple courses in History of Architecture....

[gruhn]

That's kind of a loose requirement. Are you sure you couldn't just go to the library and photocopy the covers of some books and tape them to slabs of foam insulation? Much cheaper.

I adore this book.

Ooops, I don't have either of those. Please disregard my comments.

I don't if any in your selection are seminal to begin with.

[gruhn]

It will be many decades yet before it is out of print.