- Paperback: 592 pages
- Publisher: Vintage; Reprint edition (Mar 9 1993)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0679743839
- ISBN-13: 978-0679743835
- Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 3 x 20.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 544 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #95,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Hughes's historical-cultural treatise on the Catalonian capital sparkles on the topic of architecture. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
YA-- The throbbing beat of flamenco guitars and the clicking of castanets resound as readers peruse the pages of this epic history. Founded as an encampment by Roman invaders around 210 B.C. , Barcelona passed through centuries of strife until it reached its ``Golden Age'' between the years 1850 and 1925; it is on this era that Hughes focuses. Aficianados of his descriptive, colorful prose style from such bestsellers as The Fatal Shore (Random, 1988) and The Shock of the New (McGraw, 1981) will not be disappointed with this work, and students of architecture will be especially pleased with the author's detailed comparisons of the city's varied structural styles. A must book for students of modern Spanish or European history and culture.
- Richard Lisker, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
- Richard Lisker, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant or boring,
By
This review is from: Barcelona (Paperback)
When on his game Hughes' writing is insightful, witty, observant, educational. Here that would be the first 100 pages and the last 120, of the 574 pages which reveal that the Catlans are not Spanish, but Catalan; their art, architecture and politics come from their history of being with or against the rest of Spain, having their own language and culture, with economic/political battles against Madrid from early Roman history to today (Beckham was going to Barcelona F.C. before Real Madrid stole him away at the last second). I imagine he started with the idea of writing a book about the fantastic Art Nouveau architecture in one of the most architecturally interesting cities in the world, to discover that the Catalan spirit was such a force in shaping the uniqueness of the style that more needed to understood about who these people with their own language and culture that is sometimes banned by the national government. Unfortunately the author goes too deep in cataloging the complexities of the history of Barcelona, some of which is just not that interesting, the large middle of the book saps the reader's strength. The text comes alive again for the ending sections on the late 1800s when Barcelona was the bomb throwing anarchy capital of the world leading into the development of the Art Nouveau/Modernista movement, although slowing a bit before finishing with a really excellent examination and comment of Gaudi, the person and his work.Mr Hughes needed a stronger editor for this book, it would be a brilliant 250 page book. Some severe editing to take out the boring but academic sections was really needed. That said, it is worth reading. Scim the middle sections. When Hughes is on his game it is good reading
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gateway to the City,
By
This review is from: Barcelona (Paperback)
Robert Hughes's book is a very enjoyable history of Barcelona from its founding by the Romans to the death of Gaudí in 1926.In his preface, Hughes warns that "this is not intended to be, in any sense, a "scholarly work". It is a general introduction." That's fair, if a little modest. Certainly, you do not get a general history of the city. Hughes's style is to follow themes rather than to adhere to a strict chronology. Therefore, although by the end you have indeed arrived at 1926, the journey in between was a wandering one, with frequent overlaps. Like Hughes's history of early Australia, "The Fatal Shore", it's better to think of the book as a series in interconnected extended essays. Hughes is an art critic; the real strength of the book lies, not surprisingly, in his analysis of developments in art, culture and architecture. Most of the book is devoted to these themes. Social, economic and political issues (though not neglected) are relegated to briefer sections. "Barcelona" is still a good read, but I suspect one would need to look elsewhere for a more in-depth examination of the socio-economic and political history of the city and treat this as a taster - just as Hughes wanted. G Rodgers
4.0 out of 5 stars
Turgid,
By Diego Banducci (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Barcelona (Paperback)
This book is effectively a 540-page Encyclopedia Britannica article -- lots of facts dryly presented. I read it after spending 7 days seeing what I thought were the worthwhile sights in Barcelona, and soon had a list of things I missed good for another 7 days. I recommend it to anyone planning a visit to Barcelona, since I am not aware of any other source of information about the city that is as comprehensive.Hughes does a fine job of describing the architectural history of the city, particularly the Modernisme (Art Nouveau) period, but wastes far too much time on Catalan music, literature and art, which even he admits are mediocre. You will do yourself a favor by skimming those chapters. Note that this book was written in 1993, after the city had been spruced up for the 1992 Olympics but still 11 years ago. It is an even better city today, with nice people, excellent and reasonably priced food, and plenty of things to see and do. The comparison that comes to mind is "Tuscany 25 years ago." Additional recommended reading: George Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia"
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