Since 2004 Gavin Stamp; one of Britain’s most eminent and readable architectural historians; has written a monthly column for Apollo; the esteemed architecture and fine art magazine. The subject is simply whatever in design or architecture happens to take his fancy. It might be the splendid reopening of the magnificent Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras Station; or the dilapidation of a little-known church in Eastbourne; the much-lamented demise of the original Routemaster bus; or the colossal majesty of the airship sheds that housed the R.101. But while these pieces display a wonderful range and variety; they are unified by Stamp’s wider quest: to explore; define and champion the very Englishness of English architecture and design. When fine examples are preserved and restored; he celebrates; when they fall victim to philistine neglect – or; worse; demolition – he mourns. And when the elegant is overshadowed by the merely modish; he deplores. In Anti-Ugly; Stamp has selected the best of these ‘excursions’; producing a compulsively readable collection that builds into an eloquent; learned; trenchant and often indignant portrait of our national design heritage.
#1294644 in eBooks 2013-09-05 2013-09-05File Name: B00G6SZD16
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great playBy steven kI saw this play preformed a few years ago. Time of Cromwells conquest of Ireland with emphasis on one family where one spouse is English and the other Irish.Really shows how the Irish were treated and the hatred that exists to this day.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. An efficient yet passionate and personal play.By A CustomerHelen Edmundson writes with a rare clarity and drive; despite the fact that the subject on which she writes is muddy and contentious. She uses the marriage of two people; one Irish and one English; as a barometer for the political upheaval of Cromwells conquest of Ireland. This concrete example; firmly rooted in context; brings a brilliance and richness to the play; both qualities are achieved with a spare and judicious use of language. A historical play which does not leave the issues relegated to history