20th Century Architecture: The Structures that Shaped the Century

Glancey's book is a useful introduction to the subject, with a solid emphasis on modernism and its practitioners. If you only read one section of the book, the modern chapter would be the obvious choice, for this is where the author's enthusiasm for Mies, Le Corbusier, Aalto, and so on, is most apparent, and where his pithy arguments (one long paragraph per building) are most compelling. Other chapters on Art Nouveau, neo-classicism, and what he terms "Organic" and "Robotic" architecture are similarly instructive, although his Postmodernism chapter is more than a little thin. It's not that this much-derided style (1970s through early 1990s) did not deserve scorn from critics, it's just that Glancey has not done his homework in his own criticism. For one, apart from certain glaring factual errors--such as claiming that the Portland Building no longer exists, which would be wishful thinking--he frequently dismisses all such PoMo architecture as one big joke, colossal shenanigans writ large for everyone's torment. Even if you accept this argument (and it is quite compelling in the hands of an incisive author), Glancey all too often sketches over or simply ignores the design logic and historical background for each such "joke," preferring instead to deploy curt British witticisms, sarcastic jibes that typically fail to amuse readers across the Atlantic. That said, aside from this spotty chapter, Glancey's research is fairly good and the obvious candidates for notable 20th-century edifices are mostly included--save for such inexplicable omissions as the wondrous Gamble House in LA and Frank Lloyd Wright's influential Unity Temple in Oak Park, IL. The other major annoyance is his heavy emphasis on British architecture, and not just on worthwhile figures like Rogers, Foster, et al., but on an array of wretched Brutalist hackwork from the 1960s, concrete bunkers and high-rise housing ghettos that should never have appeared in a book designed around supposed architectural highlights. It almost makes you symphathize with the early PoMo architects who saw these late-Modern creations as the nasty and inevitable excesses of the International Style, and decided to go overboard in a wholly different direction. If Glancey really wanted to show the legacy of corporate and bureaucratic modernism, he should've included a picture of the demolition of the Pruitt-Igoe housing project, a concrete eyesore that won many awards from the critics before its residents found it to be completely unlivable and fled from it in droves.

I received this book for a Christmas present several years ago (I believe I was 13). Even now, I still find myself frequently picking it up and glancing over its many pages. Many buildings are simply represented, and because of this overwhelming variety, the book serves as an excellent introduction to those who feel lost in the immense world of architecture (like me). The written portions describing the buildings are very concise, giving you adequate backround information and description. Photographs are on the smaller side, taking up half a page, but are well-chosen and give a "feel" to the writings.I still find quite a thrill in flipping through its many pages, viewing the great variety of architectual works contained within it. Greatly enjoyed, and extremely edifying! Buy it for anyone who shows the slightest inkling of an interest in architecture. It will fascinate any creative mind.

I thought this book portrayed some of the greatest works of the twentieth century including some of the best architects. Awesome designs!