Book Description

This magnificent book is the key to understanding one of the world's most important architectural traditions, one that spawned major masterpieces throughout the near east, and particularly in Persia, India, Turkey, North Africa, Southern Russia, and Spain.As human representation is forbidden in Islamic religious monuments, design and ornamentation reach unparalleled heights of expression through mosaics, stucco, brickwood, and ceramic.Brilliant colors are used everywhere to enhancedesign.

This monumental study is a close collaboration between Dominique Clevenot, a distinguished scholar of art, and Gerald de George, a renowned photographer.Together, they visited and photographed hundreds of monuments, selecting their most noteworthy features.Unlike other books, which divide the subject geographically or chronically, the authors have approached this complicated topic from four different and interconnected angles: the history of Islamic architecture, materials and techniques, ornamental design, and the aesthetics of ornamentation.

Each of these topics is presented through a number of outstanding examples and comparable monuments from all over the Islamic world.Travelers overwhelmed by the Taj Mahal or the Alhambra will gain greater understanding.Architects and designers will find endless inspiration and ideas.Historians will be illuminated.Anyone interested in the vast world of Islam will find new knowledge in this magnificent full-color publication. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A must companion
If you are someone who is involved in arhitect or interior decoration, this book is a must to guide you in creating something splendor from the Islamic culture, and it's a good refrence on a cofee table top.

Four different approaches to Islam architecture
Islam expanded quickly within a few centuries, embracing a wide area and altering the political and cultural heritage of the entire region. Splendors of Islam examines the visual effects of Islam, considering the structures in contrast with other architectural traditions and examining the role given to various decorative choices and styles. Four different approaches to Islam architecture provide an exceptionally well-rounded view, with color photo examples packing an oversized coverage. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good for people who start
A Person who just starts to learn something about Islamic culture should read it. For people who knows a lot the catalogue at the second part of the book would be helpful but it is also not complete.

A very comprehensive introduction to muslim architecture
I love this book. It gives you a very good insight to muslim architecture and is at the same time easy to read and entertaining. As an orientalist in a postgrad study program I got to read books on the subject that are much more confusing or that are written in a slightly boring style. This book is a thorough introduction that never just stays on the surface of the matter. It does not give you a chronological account of architecture history, but answers a lot of questions like "Why it was built like it was built?" In the back part of the book you find plans and short descriptions of the most important buildings, in the first part you find a lot of good photographs and even better articles on single subjects like materials or building techniques. But the most important thing: It's NEVER boring. ... Read more

Book Description

In this new collection, Israelim Palestinian, and American architects and urbanists consider the physical future of Jerusalem and offer specific propposals for making the city functional, beautiful, and physically generous to its inhabitants' needs. The essays focus on issues of ecology, preservation, neighborhood development, and open space, rather than on politics per se. While the authors take a variety of approaches, all agree on the necessity of sharing the city amicably. Contributors include Lebbeus Woods, M. Christine Boyer, Samira Haj, Achva Stein, Moshe Safdie, Thom Mayne, Mack Scogin, and Jafar Tukan. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Tour from your armchair
This book is full of vivid and interesting pictures, accompanied by informative text. Although it cannot substitute for experiencing Arabia in person, it is a rich and satisfying substitute. ... Read more

Book Description

Winner of the Alice Davis Hitchcock Award sponsored by the Society of Architectural Historians

With the proclamation of the Turkish republic by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923, Turkeyís political and intellectual elites attempted to forge from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire a thoroughly modern, secular, European nation-state. Among many other public expressions of this bold social experiment, they imported modern architecture as both a visible symbol and an effective instrument of their modernizing agenda. They abandoned the prevailing Ottoman revivalist style and transformed the entire profession of architecture in Turkey according to the aesthetic canons and rationalist doctrines of European modernism.

In this book, the architectural historian Sibel Bozdogan offers a cultural history of modern Turkish architecture and its impact on European modernism from the Young Turk revolution of 1908 to the end of the Kemalist single-party regime in 1950.

Drawing on official propaganda publications, professional architectural journals, and popular magazines of the day, Bozdogan looks at Turkish architectural culture in its broad political, historical, and ideological context. She shows how modern architecture came to be the primary visual expression of the so-called republican revolution--especially in the case of representative public buildings and in the idealized form of the modern house. She also illustrates Turkish architectsí efforts to legitimize modern forms on rational, scientific grounds and to "nationalize" them by showing their compatibility with Turkish building traditions.

After Ataturkís death in 1938, the initial revolutionary spirit in Turkish architectural culture gave way to nationalist trends in German and Italian architecture and to the inspiration of Central Asian and pre-Islamic Turkish monuments. The resulting departure from the distinct modernist aesthetic of the early 1930s toward a more classicized and monumental architecture representative of state power brought this heroic era of modern Turkish history to a close. Today, when Turkeyís project of modernity is being critically reevaluated from many perspectives, this comprehensive surveyof Kemalismís architectural legacy is timely and provocative. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A good book to own
This book is both instructive and enjoyable at the same time. It contains useful information on the history of not only architecture but also on the social life in modern Turkey. Readers will enjoy the rare collection of numerous pictures and photos that are difficult to find elsewhere. It is a wonderful resource for not only Turkish people and for architects, but also for all foreigners who are interested in this country. Following the Independence War and the establishment of the Republic, a new and modern nation was built on the ruins of The Ottoman Empire and this book tells us how this was achieved. ... Read more

Book Description

Damascus, reputed to be the world's oldest continually inhabited city, has enjoyed a history of immense grandeur, enormous political and mercantile power, and great cultural and artistic achievement. In addition to some of Islam's most magnificent architecture, such as the Umayyad Mosque, the city boasts a heritage of fairy-tale palaces and sumptuous private houses. Sadly, many of them are in urgent need of restoration. Brigid Keenan and Tim Beddow have set out to record these priceless architectural gems and to reveal them to the world at large. They were given unprecedented access to the inner, "hidden" city, which has resulted in a book that will be of immense importance to all concerned with the heritage of architecture in the Islamic world. The text first sets the historical scene, describing the growth and fortunes of Damascus through the ages. It continues with an account of its architecture and way of life, and concludes with descriptions of individual houses and of the people who built and lived in them. The superb photographs include façades, courtyards, alleyways, and fountains, and the breathtaking interiors that often lie behind the unassuming walls of the old town, with exquisite details in stone, wood, paint, marble, plaster, glass, and mother-of-pearl. The whole forms a convincing and elegiac plea for the preservation of the heart of this historic ancient capital. 214 illustrations, 171 in color. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A beautiful must-have book for anyone who loves Damascus
This book is a must for anyone who loves Damascus and is concerned about its deterioration. It's a must for any Damascene expatriate's living room coffee table book collection for sure. The photographs are absolutely stunning and the text is interesting and engaging. One flaw, however is that I would have liked to see the photographs and the text regarding specific houses cross-referenced, (perhaps in the appendix of houses' names in the back of the book) as photographs and texts about specific houses are scattered throughout the book and you have to find all the references yourself--very annoying. Other than that, it is a wonderful book for showing off a unique aspect of our beloved city. Some of these houses are being used as sets for Syrian soap operas-- look closely and you might recognize some!

poignant beauty
This book documents a lifestyle that we can only know through writings and recollections, mostly by English expatriates and scholars. The houses themselves are gradually falling into decay, which is shameful, but which appears to be the fate of so many great architectural treasures of the past. I was charmed by the magnificence that one can sense (through the photographs), however dimmed by present squalor, and resolved that if I could, somehow, I would try to recreate the feeling; I know that's quite silly but even so it would be marvelous to have a fountain right by one's door and great trees growing inside one's living quarters. I loved the black, red, and white horizontal stripes and the mother-of-pearl-inlaid furniture, the inlaid Arab designs, the 20' ceilings and the beautiful arches. I also loved the recollections of Isabel and Richard Burton, and Jane Digby, these people were triumphantly confident and strode through life with none of the fright and nerves that we contemporary readers seem to have...and rightly so. I loved this book, and hopefully it will assist in the preservation of the great houses of Old Syria.

Will delight students of Islamic culture
Brigid Keenan's informative and highly recommended text comprising Damascus: Hidden Treasures Of The Old City, is enhanced throughout with 214 illustrations and photographs (171 in color) by Tim Beddow. This superb introduction to the architectural grandeur of Damascus incudes descriptions of individual houses and the people who built and lived in them. The amazing photographs reveal the facades, courtyards, alleyways , fountains and amazing interiors behind unassuming walls will delight students of Islamic culture, architecture, history, and lifestyles. ... Read more

Book Description

Censored last year by the Association of Israeli Architects, A Civilian Occupation is the first attempt by Israeli architects, scholars, journalists, and photographers to highlight the role of Israeli architecture in the Middle East conflict.

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the declared aim of the Zionist project has been to build a national home for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. From the settlement offensive of the Tower and Stockade villages in the 1930s, through the total planning of the state of Israel soon after its independence, to the colonization of the occupied territories from 1967 to the present, this book reveals how central Israeli architecture has been in securing that aim. 25 color and 116 b/w photos/illustrations.

Contributors: Daniel Bauer, B'Tselem, Meron Benvenisti, Zvi Efrat, Nadav Harel, Miki Kratsman, Milutin Labudovic, Gideon Levy, Ilan Potash, Sharon Rotbard, Rafi Segal, Efrat Shvily, Eran Tamir-Tawil, Eyal Weizman, Pavel Wolberg, Oren Yiftachel. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

architecture and politics
During decades, while pretending to be mere "professionals", Israeli architects collaborated massively with Israel's expansionist agendas, and thus had a central role in the bleeding territorial conflict that divides Israelis and Palestinians.
By exposing the simple truth that architecture and planning cannot be dissociated from political power, and by revealing systematically Israeli architecture's most basic condition (and most hidden secret) from the Thirties to our days, this book has succeeded to jam a whole profession: in Israel it no longer possible to be an architect without taking into consideration the political dimension of any "architectural" choice or dilemma.
Therefore, the true lesson of this pioneering small book is not only about the evil banality of Israeli architecture, but also about the potential evil banality of any architecture. The debate inaugurated in "A Civilian Occupation" should serve us as a reminder that the idiosyncratic and narcissistic approaches that characterize a great deal of the contemporary architectural discourse, either through its spectacular expressions (Liebeskind, Gehry), through its pro-capitalistic ideologies (Koolhaas) or through its pseudo-avant-garde strategies (Tschumi, Eisenman), are today a luxury that very few can afford. The acute test case of Israeli architecture displayed in this important book is only one more proof that sometimes architecture can kill. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

A country surrounded by mountains, Yemen has for many centuries remained untouched by and resistant to foreign influences. Turned in upon itself Yemen is a world whose arts and architecture preserve many links with the past, while integrating the modern world to an often startling degree.

From the coastal plains of the Tihama in the west inland to the cities of Wadi Hadramawt in the east, Pascal and Maria Maréchaux's beautiful photographs reveal the origins and meanings of the extraordinary indigenous painted houses. Yemeni architecture uses only local resources, inscribing its forms directly into the landscape, to produce a highly mimetic effect:the forms and decoration evoke the qualities of the mountains and earth, the natural light, and the vegetation of the environment. Architecture is also an important bearer of social symbolism:brilliant colors are used both to protect and to seduce, to vaunt the wealth and status of the owner; and the organization of interior space defines the central role of hospitality in Yemeni life.

The language of color on both architectural exteriors and interiors reflects the organic world through the use of natural pigments, and also creates complex representational forms linked to the costume and body make-up of the individual inhabitants. In a fascinating text, the authors describe how, through a limited decorative repertoire and the same materials, houses of similar form yet infinite variety are constructed.

This beautiful book introduces us to a misunderstood world, a culture threatened by modern technology, which nevertheless demonstrates a mastery of materials, tools, and symbols to produce a polychrome architecture of immense and lasting power.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Intimate study of the forms, styles and colours
This book is unlike other photographic books on Yemen, it oes not attempt to tell the whole story but rather examines in closeup the details that form the whole such as the styles, patterns and forms that together distinguish Yemen as a bridge between Arabia and Africa. Similary it looks at the way the Yemenis have sculpted their environment from houses to faces. Remarkable in its detail. This book keeps Yemen's secrets but exposes it's character. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Splendours of the Mamluks
The previous one-star reviewer is reviewing Islam and not the book! It seems he never read more than the book's title which was sufficient to provoke another defamation against Islam to be added to the deluge that has been flooding Amazon reviews and the media in general after 9/11.

This book does not discuss Islam's contribution to human civilization and arts - this is covered in other books that would fill entire libraries. If you're not into books then just look around at the numerous monuments that keep attracting millions of tourists every year from Alhambra in the West to Taj Mahal in the East. Unless you are blinded by prejudice, you cannot help but admire the stunning beauty of this original, highly refined and breathtaking art form which was born with Islam. Needless to say that the bulk of Islam's architectural heritage was built when most Europeans were living in primitive huts and the only art they knew was the art of burning heretics.

Regarding music, it is sufficient to say that the guitar (from the Arabic "Kithara") was invented by Zyryab, the great Arab musician, in 8th century Baghdad (remember, Beethoven was born a thousand years later!!) This Islamic instrument and many others such as rebec, lute, psaltery, cithara, tabor, timbale...etc were later used by Europeans as prototypes for virtually all the instruments of the symphonic orchestra except wind (i.e. piano, violin, cello, bass, percussions...etc.)

The Islamic civilization produced a flowering of artistic output on a scale and variety not seen in any of the world civilizations that preceded it - not only in architecture and music but in all artistic domains known in the pre-Renaissance period: from pottery that rivalled China to the most dazzling carpets, textiles & costumes, not to mention the stunning metalwork (inlaid brasses, bronze and silver); glassware & crystal; enamelled jewellery; woodwork; tile & Arabesque; paintings & miniatures; lacquer; calligraphy & book illuminations; landscape gardening;....and dancing, yes dancing, both religious (Sufi) and profane such as the art of belly-dancing which for centuries didn't seem to have been affected by any "modesty restrictions". Islamic art extended also to the art of gastronomy which produced ground-breaking innovations that permanently left their mark on the world such as eating dessert (Sugar from the Arabic "Sukkar") and drinking alcohol!!! (from the Arabic "Al-Kohol". Yes, Muslims invented the process of alcohol distillation and in their lands the world's finest alcoholic drinks were made). Art permeated all aspects of Islamic life the same way it permeated every inch of Islamic buildings and monuments - even the weapons carried by Muslim warriors were "damascened" artistic marvels examples of which can be seen in museums around the world.

Those whose full time job is to malign Muslims and falsify their history find it convenient to direct their lies at the uncultured and ignorant masses whose knowledge about Islam comes from Fox News and Hollywood movies. It is therefore not surprising that absurd statements, which would normally cause laughter, such as "Art is virtually prohibited by Islam" find receptive ears in places where the Fox-News level of culture and education is most prevalent, especially among those who cannot point out Texas -let alone Iraq- on a map. It should be noted, however, that those who deny the existence of Islamic art grudgingly exclude architecture and the reason is obvious: Islamic architectural monuments are so famous their existence cannot be denied or hidden from even the most ignorant Jerry-Springer audience. Magnificent mosques and palaces are not kept in museums but have been standing in the open for centuries -for everyone to see- as a testament to Islam's past glory and a source of mental depression for many pseudo historians and writers. They know that no amount of lies can prevent the millions of tourists from flocking to see these artistic wonders or make the queue outside the Alhambra any shorter so they are sadly compelled to add a caveat about the "architectural exception". Similarly, we often hear pathetic figures like Oriana Fallaci say "Muslims have always been primitive" then comes the caveat "but they were good at maths" only because Arabic numerals are in your face everyday.

To familiarize yourself with the less known but no less stunning examples of Islamic art, please visit the Islamic section of any of the world's major museums (Hermitage, Louvre, British, V&A, Metropolitan....etc). You can also buy some of these books from Amazon:

"The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Islamic World" by Stuart Cary Welch, "Islamic Metalwork" by James Allan, "Oriental Carpets in the Museum of Islamic Art, Berlin" by Friedrich Spuhler, "Islamic Textiles" by Patricia Baker, "Glass of the Sultans" by Stefano Carboni, "Islamic Jewelry in the Metropolitan Museum of Art" by Marilyn Jenkins, "Splendor of Islamic Calligraphy" by Abdelkebir Khatibi, "The Arts of Islamic Spain" by Jerrilyn D. Dodds, "Gardens in the Time of the Great Muslim Empires" by A. Petruccioli (ed.), "THE ART OF ISLAMIC TILE" by GERARD DEGEORGE *** "Dome of the Rock" by Oleg Grabar - this one will blow your mind away***, "Heavenly Art Earthly Beauty" by Mikhail Piotrovsky, "The Tale and the Image" by Eleanor Sims, "Peerless Images" by Boris I. Marshak, "Figurative Painting in Medieval Islam" by Michael Barry, "Mostly Minatures" by Oleg Grabar, "Lacquer of the Islamic Lands" by B.W. Robinson, "The "Splendors of Islam" by Dominique Clevenot, "The Islamic Arts of War" by David Alexander, "Music in the World of Islam" by Amnon Shiloah, "Paper before Print" by Jonathan M. Bloom, "Rediscovering the Oldest Dance" by Tazz Richards (ed.), "Islamic Trade and Italian Art" by Rosamond E. Mack, "Venice & the East" by Deborah Howard.

The book we are reviewing is specialized and limited in scope as it covers a very specific period (1250-1517) and a very specific art form (Mamluk architecture) which is most visible in old Cairo and Jerusalem (the book only covers Cairo). Therefore it will only give you a glimpse of a rich civilization that once stretched from the Pyrenees Mountains in Europe to the great walls of China, encompassing peoples from all races and colors. A civilization whose rulers were studying ancient Greek philosophy at the same time Charlemagne and his advisors in Europe were trying to learn how to write their names. A civilization of unrivalled power at the time yet, according to most historians, was by far more humane and tolerant than anything that ever existed before it or followed it for many centuries. A civilization whose language and vocabulary were free from words such as Inquisition, pogroms, genocide, holocaust, fascism, extermination, concentration camps, gulags, ...etc. A civilization that rescued the artistic and philosophical treasures of ancient Greece and went on to develop unprecedented breakthroughs in Agriculture, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geography, Mathematics, Medicine and Physics that eventually changed the course of human destiny when it spread into Europe through Spain and Sicily and was the major factor that salvaged Europe from the dark ages and sparked the renaissance. A civilization that, unfortunately, went into the twilight before its boundaries could reach the New World, otherwise 16 million Native Americans would never have been exterminated..

Narrow splendors
Given the myriad of restrictions on humanity imposed by Islam this book manages to find some splendors. Art is virtually prohibited with the exception of architecture as Mohammed declared "image makers" unholy. In addition to elimination painting and sculpture, dance is made impossible by "modestry restrictions" as is sport. Polyphony was developed in the West so musical forms are quite limited.
What is left is covered with some skill by this book.

Magical World
This is a beautiful collection of color photographs depicting Mamluk-era (1250-1517) architecture in Cairo. The author gives a detailed history of the Mamluks and their reign as well as background on the social and cultural life of Cairo at the time.

A variety of images are used to document the buildings and their architectural details: old watercolors and prints from the 18-19th centuries depict the buildings in a less congested Cairo, the Stierlin's color photographs show the buildings as they are today and floor plans assist the reader in visualizing the totality of the building, something no series of photographs can do. The very up close and detailed photographs of exterior architectural elements are exquisite.

For myself the highlight is the collection of interior shots showing the chiaroscuro and dappled light effect achieved in the interiors of Mamluk buildings. Photos showing the play of light through colorful stained glass windows are breathtaking. Other photos concentrate on the patterns created by streaming light coming through wrought iron grillwork. It is clear that many of the photos must have been taken with a wide-angle lens while the photographers were lying down on the ground looking upward. The effect is magnificent! And since the book format is very large you get the feeling you are actually looking up at the ceiling yourself.

An extremely well rounded book covering history, social life, and architecture, it includes a Bibliography, Glossary, a profusely illustrated checklist of pre-Mamluk Islamic architecture, and a chronological table of political and cultural events covering the 10th thru 16th centuries. There are excellent reference maps, one of the Middle East during the Mamluk period and a full-page Cairo street map keying each cited monument to the map and giving the building's dates. Although there is no Index, the Table of Contents is detailed in a way that makes one unnecessary.

This is a book you will treasure and enjoy for years to come. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

put this in your library? this is your library!
Size does matter-this book is huge particularly if you consider the giveaway price(the paper costs more).Ok so it's big and it has pictures-nice ones!It's also comprehensive,diverse and well written,this book is the best there is for an amazing tour of islamic art and architecture.

Islam: Art & Architecture
Excellent book. Beautifully written, great photography...and a wonderful tour of the world of Islam. As always, Konemann has provided readers with many, many hours of pleasure.

A great big book
This is simply a magnificent book. Written and published originally in German, well-translated (it reads as if it had been originally written in English, which indicates a good translation), beautifully put together, well edited, with hundreds of full color photographs of mosaics, mosques, palaces, forts, towns, manuscripts, jewels, and mausoleums. The book claims attention. It is a full history of Islam, with maps and timelines in every chapter to help the reader in what might be unfamiliar territory, plus a full history of the development of Art and Architecture in 14 centuries of Islamic culture around the globe. Every page has at least one photograph, and all photographs are of great quality, sharp and clear. Even the photo on page 334, one of the very few in black and white, is good, almost haunting, since the walls shown are in ruins. The paper is also high quality. From the cover onwards it is clear that there is great respect for the culture represented in this book, and for the reader who will go through 600 hundred pages of text and supporting material. My personal highlights: night shot of the Kaaba, in Mecca, p. 2 and 13. Map of Europe, Asia, and most of Africa with sharp, thumbnail-like photographs of Muslim architectonic marvels in those three continents, p. 6-7. Al-Mutawakkil mosque, p. 103. What the facade of the Azhar Mosque in Cairo (p. 140) and the Almoravid clay seal (p. 247) have in common, which is a testimony to the endurance of symbols. The entire "Spain and Morocco" chapter, 207-299.

The appendix, starting on 601, is helpful and clear. The publisher, Könemann, is reponsible for another winner, "Gothic Architecture, Sculpture, Painting," but I believe "Islam, Art and Architecture" is better overall. This book is big and heavy, being more practical as a source of information than as a text that you would read from cover to cover or carry around. I highly recommend it, though, if you are interested in Islam at all from any perspective. My interest is mostly historical, but I can see already that this is a book that I will return to again and again. ... Read more

Book Description

This thoughtful new study presents a detailed survey of traditional urban structures in Arab countries and an analysis of the problems faced by ancient cities as they confront modern development and Western technologies. It will appeal to architects and planners professionally involved in the Middle East and in the Third World, and to anyone interested in Islamic architecture and culture in general. Stefano Bianco builds a bridge between past and present, between theory and practice. He combines a thorough knowledge of historic building types in the Arab world with an understanding of the modern architectural transformations occurring in Islamic cities. The rich visual documentation complements his text and includes maps, plans, and photographs, many previously unpublished. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

A whole new way of looking at this magical city
I first saw most of these sites when I was fifteen (7 years ago), but Brooke shows them in a whole new way. By photographing them empty of the hoards of people usually in, above, outside, and underneath the city, and using only black and white photography with perfect lighting, he brings a stunning, cool, serenity to the hot, crowded, volatile, emotional city. I happen to love the intense, 90 degree, crowded, tense Jerusalem; those are probably the reasons I have had such a long and passionate love affair with the city, but Brooke's view is not to be missed. In short, buy this book for its unforgettable, striking, devastatingly beautiful images, but get on the next plane to Israel and experience it for yourself as well. I currently only have it on (perpetual) loan from my university library (...because I re-check it out every three weeks), but it is currently on my amazon wish list, and will hopefully join my permanent library soon! Thank you, Steven Brooke, for taking me back to my spiritual home so beautifully.

stunning, unforgettable images of the Holy Land
Like his earlier classic work "Views of Rome", Brooke presents visual poetry of the architecture and monuments of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. The composition and lighting are flawless; the images are stunning and unforgettable. Not just a "coffee table" book, but one to re -visit and appreciate over the years. ... Read more

Book Description

When it was first published, Godfrey Goodwin's study immediately established itself as a definitive work on the subject. It remains the only comprehensive survey in English and virtually the only account of the last two centuries of Turkish architecture.

The author treats his subject chronologically and in its historical perspective, with full discussion of the effects of conquests, religion, and social organization. He describes not only the great mosques but also the layout and function of the buildings that came to be grouped around the mosques: schools, baths, hostels, kitchens, fountains, mausoleums, and shops. Fortifications, waterworks, and bridges are also considered. Turkish words are explained in a glossary, and there is a chronological table listing Ottoman rulers and the relevant historical events, together with detailed notes and an extensive bibliography. 521 color illustrations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

matchless
Goodwin's A History of Ottoman architecture was first published in 1971. Since then it has been the primary reference book on Ottoman architecture. Every student of this architectural tradition from first year university students to emeritius professors still use this book whenever they need information on a certain period or building. This book not only gives encyclopedic information, but also provides the reader with a certain point of view and masterfully done interpretation on specific issues. Goodwin's rich terminological and conceptual tools make the book valuable in respect to its scientific definitiveness and narrative. Each chapter contains drawings, plans and photographs of the buildings and of urban settings. Since Goodwin's book comprises the history of Ottoman architecture from its beginnings to its end, the reader should not expect to find the illustrations of all buildings. On the other hand, Goodwin not only deals with the primary Ottoman buildings of istanbul, but also gives descriptions and comparative evaluations of some of the minor buildings outside of the capital city. This last treat is generally lacking in other general histories of Ottoman architecture. Therefore, I highly recommend this book to anybody who is interested in great architectures of the world. ... Read more

Book Description

This richly illustrated book provides an unsurpassed overview ofIslamic art and architecture from the seventh to the thirteenth centuries, a time of theformation of a new artistic culture and its first, medieval, flowering in the vast area fromthe Atlantic to India. Inspired by Ettinghausen and Grabar's original text, this book hasbeen completely rewritten and updated to take into account recent information andmethodological advances.The volume focuses special attention on the development ofnumerous regional centers of art in Spain, North Africa, Egypt, Syria, Anatolia, Iraq, andYemen, as well as the western and northeastern provinces of Iran. It traces the culturaland artistic evolution of such centers in the seminal early Islamic period and examines thewealth of different ways of creating a beautiful environment. The book approaches thearts with new classifications of architecture and architectural decoration, the art of theobject, and the art of the book.With many new illustrations, often in color, this volumebroadens the picture of Islamic artistic production and discusses objects in a wide rangeof media, including textiles, ceramics, metal, and wood. The book incorporates extensiveaccounts of the cultural contexts of the arts and defines the originality of each period. Afinal chapter explores the impact of Islamic art on the creativity of non-Muslims withinthe Islamic realm and in areas surrounding the Muslim world. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

disappointing
a disappointing hodge podge of essays, some of which stand out as being knowledgeable and related to the theme, others much less so...which raises the question of why they were even part of this "collage"...is it their particular affiliation to any of the two editors? I would still recommend this book for the lack of any other sources at the moment on the important reconstruction of Beirut, yet anyone looking for a truly critical and coherent collection of essays should look elsewhere... ... Read more

Book Description

In the first major study to examine Byzantine architecture from the perspective of its builders, Robert Ousterhout identifies the problems Byzantine masons commonly encountered in the process of design and construction. From a careful analysis of the written evidence, the archaeological record, and--most importantly--surviving buildings, he concludes that Byzantine architecture was far more innovative than has previously been acknowledged.

Following preliminary observations on Byzantine church architecture, Ousterhout examines the textual sources concerning the respective roles of patrons, bureaucrats, and masons in the building process. Narrowing his focus to the masons, or master builders, he clarifies both their theoretical and their very practical concerns in architectural design, suggesting that they relied on geometry and memory, rather than blueprints, to guide their work. Ousterhout explains how masons selected, manufactured, and utilized building materials, ranging from bricks and mortar to roofing tiles. He examines how they built structural elements from the foundation systems to the vaulting. Finally, he situates the richly decorated interiors, sheathed in marble revetments, mosaics, and frescoes, within the purview of the master builder. The study focuses on churches built in the area of Constantinople between the ninth and fifteenth centuries, but it also refers back to earlier works such as Hagia Sophia, and it tracks Byzantine masons as far afield as Russia and Jerusalem. With more than two hundred illustrations--many published for the first time--this is a must read for anyone interested in Byzantine art and architecture. ... Read more