The Houston Astrodome

I loved this book and I miss the Astrodome. I want the world to know more about the Astrodome. I read this book for more information on a book that I am writing about the Astrodome. I am an native Houstonian and proud to say I love the Astrodome and wish it were still in use.

I found this book very informative about the best baseball stadium ever. I admit I am prejudiced. I've been an Astros fan since the late 1960s and loved going to both baseball and football games at the 'Dome'. I find it a shame that professional sports owners think they need a new stadium or arena every 20 years or so. If not for this sad occurence, the Astros would still be playing their home games in the Astrodome and the football Oilers never would have left Houston.

The Astrodome is a marvel. It became outdated for baseball due to seating expansion for football which removed the famous scoreboard. The other factors included lack of home runs because the ball didn't carry inside and the modern retractable roof giving a stadium the option for outdoor events. As a building, it is the finest in sports I've ever seen and the first to use luxury boxes. Anyone calling the edifice a dump needs a dose of reality. The fact that "The Dome" is hardly used now is sad and the thought of knocking it down would be an American tragedy. After the Roman Colosseum, the Astrodome is the most famous sports theater that has ever graced the planet.

Craig A. Doherty does a masterful job at examining the life and legacy of the Houston Astrodome. This book truly defines the Astrodome's place in architectural and sports history. Despite the larger and more modern domed facilities, the Astrodome clearly remains the best. Details on its construction and structural components are clearly explained in a truly understandable fashion. Included is a glossary of Astrodome related terms. This is a great book for adults and kids. It is definitley a book to enjoy over and over again.