Routledge Banister Fletcher's A History of Architecture

Excellent book, delivered as promised!

This is a review of a used copy of the 20th edition from Congo Marketplace for about half the price of a new copy. It was listed as ‘Condition: Used - Good - All books have been personally inspected to meet or exceed Amazon expectations.’ Still, the 20th edition was published over 20 years ago (1996), so I was nervous about the condition.I was amazed when it arrived. It was packed in a sturdy cardboard box that fit the book so perfectly that no padding was needed. The book was shrink-wrapped. The dust jacket was in near-perfect condition and was wrapped in an archival jacket cover. It was a professional job, and I understood once I saw where the book came from. The front page has two stamps. One is a red ‘DISCARD’ stamp, and the other is the name of a public library in Indiana. Those are the only markings in the book, and they’re fine. They give the history of the book and do not detract from it in any way. Aside from those stamps, the book is, in my opinion, in new condition. The gold lettering in Amazon’s photo is darkened, and it’s barely readable. The gold lettering on my copy is bright and shiny, and it jumps out at you like it’s powered by electricity. This book was not only well cared for; I’d say it’s virtually unused. It’s found a home where it will be used.Sir Banister Fletcher’s book is the most iconic book on the history of architecture in the English speaking world. I have a copy of the 16th edition published in 1954. It was the last edition Banister personally worked on (he died in 1953). The method of analysis was changed in the 19th edition, and its scope was expanded to give equal treatment to the rest of the world and not be so European-centric.I am looking forward to comparing the 16th and 20th editions to see the differences.Bottom line: I trust Congo Marketplace. And thanks also to Amazon for having standards that matter.

I purchased this updated edition of Banister Fletcher's book because, for a few decades now, I had relied on the 18th edition. I am fully satisfied, not only with the newer version, but also with the prompt, responsive service and delivery from Amazon. Well done, and thank you!

Mine is a new 1975 edition (which was a small fraction of the new price). It is as much a history of the world--and an incredibly detailed one--as a history of architecture. It opens each of its 40 chapters with a discussion of a civilization or era, then describes the buildings very matter-of-factly. Sometimes opinions emerge: Louis Kahn is cited as an example of a flash-in-the-pan; FLLW's Guggenheim is criticized as impractical.The photos are top quality B/W, often very old. Its real strength is early architecture; by chapter 35, it is only finishing up the Renaissance. The authors are so knowledgeable, the writing so polished after 18 editions, all others pale by comparison.I don't think there's much of a market for these books outside of libraries, but those who read it will marvel at its erudition.

This is a book that I have wanted to purchase since I was a student.