Shaping a Nation: Twentieth Century American Architecture and Its Makers - Softcover

Wiseman, Carter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0393045641 ISBN 13: 9780393045642

Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc, 1998

Synopsis

The critic and historian presents an account of the most influential figures, movements, and buildings that have defined twentieth-century American architecture

About this title

Review:

Like a well-designed building, Shaping a Nation is meticulously researched and structurally pleasing. In a little less than 400 pages, author and respected architectural journalist Carter Wiseman examines the major architectural movements of the last century, including industrialization, modernism, and even 1990s computer-aided design. What makes this book more than just an encyclopedia of events is Wiseman's ability to contextualize architecture within the philosophical and intellectual thinking of the time, to paint a broad picture of how culture shaped architecture. From Frank Lloyd Wright to Pop-chic artist extraordinaire Robert Venturi, Wiseman spotlights 200 architects and their works. Although traditionally this is a scholarly subject, Wiseman writes with a dash of humor and boundless enthusiasm, qualities sure to appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in architecture. The huge wealth of information makes Shaping a Nation a superb reference for established architects and critics.

From the Publisher:

"Shaping a Nation" has been chosen by "Publisher's Weekly" as one of their Best Books of the Year for 1998.

About this edition

• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0393045641
• ISBN 13: 9780393045642
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 412