European Architecture 1750-1890

A clear yet sophisticated introduction. Most undergraduate architectural surveys are organized around either time periods or themes. Chronological approaches tend to be linear and concentrate on form, thematic approaches on overlapping phenomena and the history of ideas. Professor Bergdoll's book ably does both. It combines a complex yet lucid historical narrative with excursions into the history of ideas, developing social and political forces, and the development of new aesthetic and formal problems. Greatest hits include Somerset House, The Crystal Palace, French and English train stations, The Red House, German Romantic Monuments and Rundbogenstil buildings, The Eiffel Tower. The range of topics and the depth of treatment makes this a valuable undergraduate text and though challenging a good text for the architect and fans of architecture.

this book must be read with Modern Architecture by Oxford in order to understand the history of architecture. This book covers the must needed areas of the field including, the hut to Palladio, and others up until the rise of modernism, where incidently the book Modern Architecture takes over. I recommend this book in concordance to that book and for the architecture student whether for class or not.