20th Century Architecture : A Visual History

Photographs, plans, and explanatory text provide a practical reference to trends in architectural design from 1900 to 1990

YA-- Following an introduction that gives an overview of the 19th century and its heritage, this book is organized by decades from 1900 through the 1980s. Each decade is prefaced by a succinct explanation of what was going on during that period to influence its architecture. Significant buildings of the time are featured; the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, both built in the early 1930s, are not included, even though more obscure works are discussed. A chronology lists major architects and their buildings. The many black-and-white illustrations are clear and informative from a practical and aesthetic point of view. A good collection of information and analyses. --Arlene Hoebel, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This chronology by British architect Sharp is a survey of the world's most significant architecture from 1900 to 1990. Arranged by decade, it is an enlargement of the author's Visual History of Twentieth-Century Architecture ( LJ 2/15/73). An excellent ready-reference tool, well illustrated and with a good index, this greatly expanded edition provides information on such milestones as the Sydney Opera House, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musee d'Orsay--as well as private residences, commercial and industrial buildings, churches, stadiums, and other types of structures. Each chapter contains introductory material on both the technological and social problems and aesthetic characteristics of the decade. Sharp covers about 550 buildings he considers significant, and although fewer than 100 are in the United States, this is still an excellent book for most art and public libraries.
- Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.