The Annotated Arch: A Crash Course in the History Of Architecture (Volume 2)

The author's name on the cover of this book is followed by "PhD" as though that credential ensured the book's quality; it is an off-putting, abnormal bit of hubris to add "PhD" on the cover. In fact, the book is about as complete a survey of all architecture as can be accommodated in the alloted space. The overall history of architecture is well presented and illustrated, although the book suffers from the current popular trend in formatting -- text fragmented and distributed into little boxes rather than a coherent single-thread exposition.But the reason for my low rating is a lack of confidence in any particular fact, because of scattered statements that are just plain wrong. For instance, the Roman vomitorium, was NOT, as the author claims, a place to vomit after gorging. Rather it was an exit hall, particularly in a public building. We still might say in English that a crowd vomits forth from a football game. The concidence of spelling between vomit and vomitorium apparently misled the author. The emphasis on keystones is also misleading, at best. A keystone is no more 'key' than any other stone in an arch: none of the stones comprising an arch can be removed without bringing it down. It became traditional to decorate a keystone with carving, and the keystone is usually the last stone emplaced, but it has no more significance than that. And many arches have no highest central stone at all, instead having a vertical mortar joint at their exact center.So, if you hope to glean facts with which to regale fellow guests at cocktail parties, beware: the various factoids in this book may not be factual at all.

This is a pretty good read. The author is very intelligent and knowledgeable. She unfortunately uses a lot of large words that even I'm surprised I haven't heard before so it forces you to slow down and look up each one to understand what she is saying. If you really want to learn it, I recommend reading it with a notebook and take notes while reading to break it down. I even started a definition section. She packs in a ton of information in such a small book. Take it slow and digest it.

I am teaching Art History and AP Art History this year and this book is invaluable to my students and myself. The students do a seminar type class and this book has provided such a qick reference tool for them when they have one of the artworks to research and teach. The large oversized pages are excellent. This book, along with the Annotated Mona Lisa, are wonderful reviews before the AP test. I am so glad that I found this excellent quick reference tome.

This is the book by Art History class should have used instead of the unreadable textbook. Much more fun and just as informative.

Very good price and very prompt delivery. Needed this (and other books) for test prep. C ame earlier than anticpated and gave me a little more lead time. Very pleased. Could have been packaged better. Box was sad but books (fortunately) were okay.

Bought this for an architecture class I took. It was the textbook and much cheaper here. Really a good introduction to a broad sweep of historical European based architecture. It was fun reading. Glad I have it for my library.

This book has a well explanation of the architechture periods thought time. I like the images, and the details give that helped me tell each style apart. The only thing I wish would had more details is the rococo period.

Lots of information, but presentation is a bit more esoteric than I expected because I am not at all familiar with architecture.

Exactly what I needed for school, the only thing is it looks like someone either dropped the bottom of it in the bathtub or spilt a drink on it as the pages are all rippled. Kind of annoying, but it was super cheap...