London : A Guide to Recent Architecture

This is the sixth edition of one of the most popular architecture books of the last decade. Each edition has followed the architectural evolution of London, documenting changes that express with amazing accuracy the social, political and economic forces at work in the capital. Radically overhauled and in a new, larger format, this edition records a new generation of architecture and design, including Norman Foster's controversial headquarters for the Greater London Assembly, new housing ranging from riverside apartments from the ultra-rich to compact prefabs in the East End, ecologically driven developments in the shadow of the Dome, and a plethora of new shops, galleries and bars.

London: A Guide to Recent Architecture is one in a series of lovely little guides to many of the world's major cities created by British publisher Ellipsis. The information contained here ranges from brief perspectives on the city's architectural history to tips on which maps are best for visitors and how to navigate the local public transit system. The book considers architecture not as something that happens on isolated building sites, but rather as social, cultural, and political phenomena. At four inches square, this highly portable book is an ideal travel companion.

Some of the other books in the series cover Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, and Tokyo. Each guidebook has its own flavor, as different writers--usually architects--cover each city. --Loren E. Baldwin