Book Description
Lavishly illustrated with over 575 images, this best-selling survey of Western architecture is now fully revised and updated
This best-selling, illustrated survey of Western architecture is now fully revised throughout, explaining the structure, function, history, and meaning of architecture in a way that is both accessible and engaging. The long-awaited second edition includes: new coverage on Postmodernism and its relationship to the Modernist era; a reorganization of Mesopotamian and Prehistoric architecture based on thematic lines of development; an expanded chapter on Medieval architecture, including developments from the end of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance; and an expanded art program that includes over 500 images in black and white and color.
Understanding Architecture continues to be the only text in the field to examine architecture as a cultural phenomenon as well as an artistic and technological achievement with its straightforward, two-part structure: (1) The Elements of Architecture and (2) The History and Meaning of Architecture. Comprehensive, clearly written, affordable, and accessible, Understanding Architecture is a classic survey of Western architecture.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book!!!!.......2006-11-05
Excellent text of architectural history, with good information and explanations of each style in cronological order and lots of sections on examples and masters of each epoch. Lots of pictures of plans and sections! I only wish I had had it for the assignments I had to do last semester! I do wish it had more color fotos instead of black and white. Like all architecture books, it's a little too expensive, but reasonable for the comparatives I found localy. Excellent book, Highly recommended for architecture students and enthusiasts alike.
Excellent but not perfect.......2005-09-04
I'm a college instructor for beginning level Architecture Appreciation, and the Leland Roth book is an excellent choice to use for such a class. It is concise, informative and for the students, easy to read. Also, for their purposes, because the book is mostly black and white, it is rather cost efficient in an age of over-priced rip-off textbooks. The only problem with the book is that it can really stand to be updated. There is no chapter about Decontructivism or anything that followed, and the book ends with Mario Botta in 1993, which these days is antiquity already. Roth must know that his book is a gold standard for such a class. Knowing this, it is imperative that he revise it soon. it's too good of a product to stop 12 years ago.
Clear cut and Simple.......2002-09-13
Understanding Architecture is a great book. I found it to be useful to start down the road of being an Architect. This book gives you a clear understanding of the value of architecture in the world. If you have any interest at all in architecture or the built environment you will love this book. I have recommended it to numerous friends.
Understanding Architecture and Urbanism.......2000-06-19
This is a very well written approach to the understanding of Architecture and Urbanism. In the first half of the book, Roth analyzes the basic concepts or "elements" that conform today's Architecture. The second half of this clear and readable text is dedicated to the investigation of the history and significance of Architecture. These enjoyable and didactic thirteen chapters are an excellent starting point for a journey into past and present Architecture
Customer Reviews:
Okay book--if you don't have an alternative.......2007-03-18
I ordered this book from Amazon along with two other dictionaries of symbols. I like this one the least. While it seems to be relatively thorough, it had misinformation (or, to put it kindly, "ambiguous and incomplete language") and bias in the first two entries I looked up. This dictionary says that Joan of Arc "died by the sword" (without the quotes). Everyone knows she was burned at the stake. If the author was being figurative, he should have been more careful, esp. when he doesn't elaborate on Joan's actual history. Second, under "sword" he states that because Genesis describes an angel posted at the gate of the Garden of Eden "with a flaming sword," and swords weren't invented then (traditionally, 4,000 BC), this shows that "the Biblical account does not date from the era it describes." This is an astoundingly stupid statement, especially from someone who presumably specializes in historic research. By definition, ALL history is written after the events that took place, especially accounts (or myths) set in pre-history. Plus, the sword in question is wielded by an angel, a supernatural figure not constrained by time or human (physical/geological) limitations.
This author also says that the Japanese short sword, the wakizashi, was used for ritual suicide. Maybe, sometimes. But usually it was the tanto, or long knife that was used for sepeku.
Buy Jack Tresidder,'s "Complete Dictionary of Symbols" instead. It has the same number of entries (2000), but is about 60 pages longer. It has a much more attractive layout, very useful cross-referencing and specially highlighted "boxed" articles. More important, it also footnotes many of its key sources--something Biedermann doesn't bother with.
I keep it where I can read it best!.......2006-03-03
Okay -- I'll admit that I have it in the bathroom, but only because I want to read every item and it is a good place for quick reading.
As an aspiring writer of fantasy -- which I don't understand because I don't care for fantasy -- I need to have some understand of these symbols and how they relate to my stories. I have been able to connect bits and pieces into my understanding and imagination and come up with a new way to express the details of the pictures I have in my head.
This is, by far, one of the most useful reference books I have.
Invaluable research tool..........2004-05-30
This is an essential lexicon for the numerous symbols and cultural icons that have appeared or have their origins mainly in the western tradition. After reading the many definitions, it dawned on me that many symbols are simply misunderstood by popular culture and used in the wrong context. This text also takes the meaning of certain symbols and traces their root derivations, showing that meaning changes as the culture changes; and that different cultures use the same icon or symbol for entirely different purposes. Because our world is rife with signifiers, it would be a daunting task indeed to provide a comprehensive collection. Though what Biedermann has done is capture those symbols and icons that he believes have been the most significant throughout western civilization.
A good example of a symbol that has been appropriated is the swastika. Anyone seeing this symbol in present time will associate it with Adolf Hitler's Nazi party. However this symbol has it roots from a pre-Aryan civilization, Mohenjo-Daro, circa 2000 B.C., in ancient China. It was also seen in old Buddhist traditions and certain Gnostic sects in late antiquity.
This important text would be invaluable in any researcher's library as it contains nearly 600 entries and over 2000 symbols. Highly recommended for students of history, religion and philosophy.
A wonderful, comprehensive resource!.......2003-07-07
I refer to the Dictionary of Symbolism so often that I always keep it close at hand. It is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in mythology, Jungian dream analysis, biblical symbolism, cross-cultural meanings and myths, the history of symbols, etc. This is no simple listing of symbolic meanings -- it is a substantial book with extensive information on each entry, very often with illustrations.
For example, someone mentioned the "Chicken Little" story recently, and I looked up the word "hen." There I found an entry describing both the positive and negative symbolism of hens as protective mothers and also as foolish, confused birds, with two illustrations and information from Matthew, Africa and Europe. I was surprised to find so much. On the same day I looked up Prometheus, Mercury and "rock."
Not only are the entries detailed, but there are an enormous number of them. The index at the back is a great cross-listing. Unfortunately, for every symbol in the universe to be listed, there would need to be several volumes. But for a single volume, this one is pretty comprehensive.
I agree........2002-12-15
This book is full of interesting information on symbolism from throughout history, from many cultures. It has a very extensive dictionary from A to Z of symbolism and cultural icons, with quite a few illustrations. In the back there is also a Pictorial Index of symbols along with page numbers to help make searching for them easier.
Book Description
Includes 160 pages of text with drawings, 13 black and white and 51 full color plates. It is linen-cloth and paper bound.
In the last decades the art of icons has gained increased attention. Once icons were passed over by the art critics, or at most classified as popular art, although painters such as Matisse or Picasso went to Russia especially for the sake of studying this art. Most recently many books have been published on icon painting. Yet the present work is the first of its kind to give a reliable introduction into the spiritual background of this art.
The nature of the icon cannot be grasped by means of pure art criticism, nor by the adoption of a sentimental point of view. Its forms are based on the wisdom contained in the theological and liturgical writings of the Eastern Orthodox Church and are intimately bound up with the experience of contemplative life.
The introduction into the meaning and the language of the icons by Ouspensky imparts to us in an admirable way the spiritual conceptions of the Eastern Orthodox Church which are often so foreign to us, but without the knowledge of which we cannot possibly understand the world of the icon.
"It is not the purpose of the icon to touch its contemplator. Neither is it its purpose to recall one or the other human experience of natural life; it is meant to lead every human sentiment as well as reason and all other qualities of human nature on the way to illumination."
"The entire visible world as depicted in the icon is to foreshadow the coming Unity of the whole creation, of the Kingdom of the Holy Ghost."
The theological justification of the icon was derived by the Seventh Ecumenical Council from the fact of the Incarnation of God. God became human for the elation and deification of Man. This deification becomes visible in the saints. The Byzantine theologian often sets the calling of an icon painter on an equal level with that of a priest. Devoted to the service of a more sublime reality, he exercises his objective duty the same way as the liturgical priest. The "spiritual genuineness" of the icon, the cryptic, almost sacral power to convince, is not alone due to accurate observation of the iconographic canon, but also the ascetic fervor of the painter.
A very interesting section of the technique of icon painting is followed by the main part of the book, in which both authors describe the most important types of icons. Apart from a detailed description of the icon screen (iconostas) of the Russian Church, 58 types are explained with the aid of an equal number of illustrations, amongst which there are alone 10 various representatives of the virgin. Special mention is due to 51 icons reproduced in their complete colorful splendor.
The section of subjects made in order to reveal the main features of Orthodox iconography was naturally limited to the examples available outside of Russia. But this not in the least diminishes the value of the book; on the contrary, it led to the reproduction of many beautiful icons which had never been published before or had been unknown to wider public. A considerable number of museums and private collectors in Europe and America spontaneously placed their collections at the disposal of the authors.
Customer Reviews:
Meaning becomes clear.......2007-01-11
About icons and their meaning I already had (and read) a lot in the Russian language, but until now I didn't have content and illustrations in one hand. That's for me the meaning of the Meaning. It is short, gives the theological and canonical information about the role of the icon in Eastern Orthodoxy from inside, the themes are worked out and clearly arranged, the illustrations are big and beautyful. So, I am very glad that I sought for it and bought it.
Icons viewed by the Orthtodox.......2000-03-26
Among the many books on icons, this is one of the oldest still in print. Why has it become a classic? Because it was written by one of the greatest twentieth century theologians, Vladimir Lossky, and by one of the greatest 20th century iconographers,Leonide Ouspensky who spent the whole of his artistic life in France painting icons and frescoes. Their approach is unique not only because of their deep experience of the Orthodox faith, but also because of the way they decided to describe the colour prints reproduced in this volume. What we have here is a superb commentary in the form of selection of poetry from the feasts during which these icons are placed in the middle of the church. Much of this Byzantine hymnography has no parallel in the West. It is what is heard in the eastern Christian church throughout the liturgical year which this volume beautifully illustrates both in word and image. The authors' feeling for the uplifting prayer of which icons play such a vital part is genuine and rarely found in any other book about the iconographic tradition. All Christians and many non-Christians will appreciate their respectful presentation of the revelation of God to man as it is presented in this book.
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Jackson Pollock: Meaning and Significance (Icon Editions)
Claude Cernuschi
Manufacturer: Icon (Harpe)
ProductGroup: Book
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ASIN: 0064309770 |
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The Icon: Its Meaning and History
Mahmoud Zibawi
Manufacturer: Liturgical Press
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 081462264X |
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Icons: Magnets of Meaning
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0811818578 |
Book Description
What do objects mean to us? What messages do they send? What values and lifestyles do they represent? From blue jeans and surfboards to cosmetics and kitchen gadgets, twelve everyday objects are recast as icons -- single, physical forms that embody a complex universe of associations -- and explored as benchmarks for the current state of design. This striking volume accompanies the groundbreaking exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, to run April to August 1997. With essays by Chee Pearlman, David E. Nye, Steven Flusty, and Aaron Betsky, Icons forges a new relationship between design, consumer culture, and the aesthetics of desire.
Product Description
Dictionary of Symbolism offers nearly 600 entries that explain the meanings and origins and power of over 2,000 symbols culled from the worlds of fairy tales; Native American legends; The Bible; Literature; Folklore; Greek, Roman, Celtic and Chinese mythology; Archaeology; Anthropology; History; Religion; Philosophy; and, many others. Some 600 b&w illustrations accompany the entries. The illustrations are then gathered into a pictorial index, allowing readers to look up a symbol and find its meaning in the text. This reference work defines symbols not only as visual icons (including shapes, color, and geometric designs) but also as biblical, classical, and mythological figures; botanics; minerals; and animals (real and mythical) as they relate to literature, dreams, art, and so forth. This work, which consolidates much arcane information, is valuable for its elucidation of both the esoteric and commonplace.
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The Economy of Icons: How Business Manufactures Meaning
Ernest Sternberg
Manufacturer: Praeger Publishers
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0275966410 |
Book Description
It has become common wisdom that we live in a postindustrial information society in which data and calculation underlie wealth. But now that information is as routinely produced as industrial or agricultural goods, businesses are discovering that they best achieve competitive advantage by producing what consumers most dearly seek--personal meaning. The 21st-century economy produces just that: not merely information, but evocative images; not just commodities, but meaning-laden icons. As Sternberg shows, foods now appeal through their sensuality and nostalgia; houses and stores draw customers through their exoticism; people sell their labor through the deliberate performance of the self for the market; and tourist destinations offer up carefully crafted thematic experiences. Whereas farms, factories, and information processors once stood at the core of the economy, now movie studios do, producing the product valued above all, meaningful content, from which downstream firms acquire the themes that animate desire. Now that meaning pervades production, Sternberg argues, modes of inquiry once reserved for the humanities make sense in the study of the economy. Drawing on art history and aesthetics, he introduces iconography as a mode of cultural analysis adapted to the study of commercial production. Through comparative studies of diverse economic sectors, ranging from food processing to tourism, Sternberg carries out an iconographic analysis of the new economy. This is a provocative study for scholars, students, and professionals dealing with marketing and consumer research, culture and media studies, socio-economics, and economic geography.
Product Description
Quality reprint of an important Spode reference.
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Antique blue and white Spode
Sydney B Williams
Manufacturer: B. T. Batsford, ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
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ASIN: B0006AQBL6 |
Books:
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- Variational Methods for Potential Operator Equations: With Applications to Nonlinear Elliptic Equations (De Gruyter Studies in Mathematics)
- Wave Physics: Oscillations - Solitons - Chaos (Advanced Texts in Physics)
- Wave Propagation in Elastic Solids (North-Holland Series in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics)
- Weak Links: Stabilizers of Complex Systems from Proteins to Social Networks (The Frontiers Collection)
- What Makes Airplanes Fly?
- What's Wrong With Microphysicalism? (International Library of Philosophy)
- Wigner the Collected Works Part B Mehra: Historical, Philosophical, and Socio-Political Papers Socio-Political Reflections and Civil Defense (Collected Works, 8)
- Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft
- XV Summer School and International Symposium on the Physics of Ionized Gases September 3-7, 1990, Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia: Invited Lectures
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