The Edifice Complex: How the Rich and Powerful Shape the World

A provocative look at architecture-"exceptionally intelligent and original" (Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World )Deyan Sudjic-"probably the most influential figure in architecture you've never heard of" - argues that architecture, far from being auteur art, must be understood as a naked expression of power. From the grandiose projects of Stalin and Hitler to the "theme park" excess of today's presidential libraries, Sudjic goes behind the scenes of history's great manipulators of building propaganda-and exposes Rem Koolhaas, Frank Gehry, and other architects in a disturbing new light. This controversial book is essential reading for all those interested in the power of architecture-or the architecture of power.* A Washington Post Book World Best Book of the Year

Deyan Sudjic was born in London of Yugoslav parents. He divides his time between London, where he is architecture critic for the Observer and a visiting professor at the Royal College of Art, and Milan, where for many years he edited Domus, the international magazine of art, architecture and design. He was Director of the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2002 and is author of the much-praised 100-Miles City, the best-selling Architecture Pack, and monographs on John Pawson, Ron Arad and Richard Rogers.