- MP3 CD: 1 pages
- Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks; MP3 Una edition (Mar 1 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1433222973
- ISBN-13: 978-1433222979
- Product Dimensions: 18.8 x 13.5 x 1.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 113 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,224,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
With this entertaining and stimulating book, de Botton (How Proust Can Change Your Life) examines the ways architecture speaks to us, evoking associations that, if we are alive to them, can put us in touch with our true selves and influence how we conduct our lives. Because of this, he contends, it's the architect's task to design buildings that contribute to happiness by embodying ennobling values. While he makes no claim to be able to define true beauty in architecture, he suggests some of the virtues a building should have (illustrated by pictures on almost every spread): order combined with complexity; balance between contrasting elements; elegance that appears effortless; a coherent relationship among the parts; and self-knowledge, which entails an understanding of human psychology, something that architects all too often overlook. To underscore his argument, de Botton includes many apt examples of buildings that either incorporate or ignore these qualities, discussing them in ways that make obvious their virtues or failings. The strength of his book is that it encourages us to open our eyes and really look at the buildings in which we live and work. A three-part series of the same title will air on PBS this fall. (Oct. 3)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
Clever, provocative and fresh as a daisy Literary Review Full of splendid ideas, often happily and beautifully expressed ... an engaging and intelligent book Independent
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Reading -,
By
This review is from: The Architecture of Happiness (Paperback)
It is a third book I read from Alain de Botton's publications.This time also, the book didn't turn down my expectation of his work. The book reflects Botton's a tranquil and poetic observation towards our built environment along with his signature dry wit. I can assume that generel public who's not really involved with related professions (architect or engineer) might find it bit boring, as they probablly wouldn't think that serious about buildings and given the fact that the points he's making are very subtle. But - there are many interesting analysis and authentic insights of 'Why' we think some buildings beautiful and moving. This helped me to see architecture (I'm a intern architect) in a broader scope, through a eye of non-professional architect but intellectural general public who really cares about our houses and buildings.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Charming, but not as funny as some of his previous writing.,
By Kelly Rossiter (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Architecture of Happiness (Hardcover)
After tackling such diverse topics as Proust, status and love, Alain de Botton has turned his erudite eye to architecture in his new book The Architecture of Happiness. Using a bit of history, a bit of pop psychology and a lot of his own opinions, this book talks about how and why buildings make us feel the way we do. This is a charming little book filled with photographs of the buildings and paintings he discusses. This book isn't as funny as some of his previous writing, but it is an interesting diversion.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant,
By John in Montreal (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Architecture of Happiness (Paperback)
First time I've read something from de Botton, and he lives up to his reputation as articulate and insightful. While architects might argue that everything he says is well-known among architects, it is not well-known among 'civilians', who generally can only express their requirements by square footage and generic 'style'... which results in soul-less McMansions and spawling suburbs. The book reviews some history, explains why a cookie-cutter approach to architecture cannot work, and proposes some interesting metrics.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Want to see more reviews on this item?
|
Most recent customer reviews |
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
