Marvin Trachtenberg

This was my architectural history textbook during undergrad. Its comprehensive, especially up through the 80's, and well illustrated.

My problem with this book is the, in my opinion, silly re-branding of Post-Modernism as "Second" Modernism. I recognize that all history books are inherently subjective, but I think that this is a thinly veiled attempt to promote a movement that the author supported. He gives almost no room for criticism of Post-Modernism. Its a shame, because the book's last chapter left a bad taste in my mouth when the rest of the book was quite even-handed.… (mere)