Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Containing over 6,000 entries from alto to ziggurat, this authoritative dictionary of architecture covers all periods of Western architectural history, from ancient times to the present day. Beautifully illustrated and written in a clear and concise style, it also includes brief biographies of leading architects, from Brunelleschi and Imhotep to Le Corbusier and Richard Rogers. The text is complimented by over 250 beautiful and meticulous line drawings, labeled cross-sections and diagrams. These include precise drawings of typical building features, making it easy for readers to identify particular period styles.
The first edition of the Dictionary of Architecture received excellent reviews. Now it has been fully revised and expanded, bringing it completely up-to-date. New entries include definitions of landscape terms and biographies of modern architects. Each entry is followed by a mini-bibliography, with suggestions for further reading. It also contains over 50 new illustrations.
This is an essential work of reference for anyone with an interest in architecture. With clear descriptions providing in-depth analysis, the second edition of A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture is invaluable for students and professional architects, and provides a fascinating wealth of information for the general reader.

Containing over 6,000 entries from Aalto to ziggurat, this authoritative dictionary of architecture covers all periods of Western architectural history, from ancient times to the present day. Beautifully illustrated and written in a clear and concise style, it also includes brief biographies of leading architects, from Brunelleschi and Imhotep to Le Corbusier and Richard Rogers. The text is complimented by over 250 beautiful and meticulous line drawings, labeled cross-sections and diagrams. These include precise drawings of typical building features, making it easy for readers to identify particular period styles.

The first edition of the Dictionary of Architecture received excellent reviews. Now it has been fully revised and expanded, bringing it completely up-to-date. New entries include definitions of landscape terms and biographies of modern architects. Each entry is followed by a mini-bibliography, with suggestions for further reading. It also contains over 50 new illustrations.

This is an essential work of reference for anyone with an interest in architecture. With clear descriptions providing in-depth analysis, the second edition of A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture is invaluable for students and professional architects, and provides a fascinating wealth of information for the general reader.

Library Journal

Leading British architectural historian Curl (emeritus, Leicester Polytechnic), who has written many standard works and journal articles on architectural history, among them Classical Architecture and Victorian Architecture, has revised and expanded his authoritative dictionary, first published in 1999, to elucidate further the many stylistic and technical terms used in architecture today. The work covers all periods of Western architectural history in more than 5000 articles, most of which are concise. The article for Frank Lloyd Wright, for example, is allotted two pages, including two floor plans. Included for the first time are landscape terms, landscape architects, and entries for contemporary architects. Abbreviated citations refer the reader to the sources, and cross references abound. Bottom Line The main competition for this latest edition of Curl's work is John Fleming and others' more established Penguin Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, now in its fifth edition. Both are certainly authoritative, but Curl's work has the edge for now, being more current and bulkier and containing more illustrations and generally longer articles. Recommended for academic, specialized, and large public libraries with architecture collections. David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., B.C. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Professor James Stevens Curl is a leading British architectural historian. His many stimulating studies include The English Heritage Book of Victorian Churches, Egyptomania: The Egyptian Revival as a Recurring Theme in the History of Taste, A Celebration of Death, Classical Architecture, and The Art and Architecture of Freemasonry (which won the Sir Banister Fletcher award for Best Book of the Year on Architecture in 1992). From 1970 to 1973 he was Architectural Editor of the Survey of London, and was Architectural Adviser to the Scottish Committee for European Architectural Heritage Year 1975.