This book is unique in its attempt to explore the many ways we have of thinking about buildings. In particular it raises questions about the kinds of knowledge we have and will need in designing; making and enjoying our buildings. At the very least this book provides an overview of the fragmented construction industry; making it a vital purchase for all construction related students. However; the author has written for a wider audience making the book an essential guide for those interested in the form of buildings or the deliberate ways in which people build them.
#2552795 in eBooks Steven Groak 2002-09-11 2002-09-11File Name: B000FBFCNEThe Idea of Building Thought and Action in the Design and Production of Buildings
Review
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful. One third of the volume; please!By M. M. V. VoorenYes; it is more about the hair and its owners; and its itinerary; than it is about Beethoven himself. The book could have been one third of its volume and be satisfactory. One has to read to the very last pages to find out what ailed Ludwig and killed him. I think the conclusion is correct; though. Actually; I think an article about the findings in a relevant science and/or classical music and history magazine would have been good enough for me. If I told you what the analytical conclusion of the hair test was; youd not need to read this entire book. But I wont; lol.On a side note; the author knows next to nothing about different cultures in Austria. There is NO way that Ludwig van Beethoven would have ever been simply called "Herr Beethoven" in the city of Vienna; of all cities in Austria. In Salzburg; OK; but in Vienna? No way ever!! If you dont have a title in Vienna; even still in this century; the Viennese will make one up for you. Just calling an illustrious person "Mr. So-and-so" is like seeing them walk around stalk-naked. And the viewer would feel one hundred times more embarrassed by it than the viewed. They might have called him "Maestro Beethoven"; or maybe "Professor Beethoven"; but never; ever Herr Beethoven! I am willing to put big money on this one; that is how sure I am of this. And while it wont change the story per se; it just irks me; because it sounds wrong in the historical-social context. Professional writers should do thorough research; and mind such details; or when in doubt; leave them out!3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. "extraordinary" is a good descriptor.By Rachel E. PollockI do love a good; readble; well-paced nonfiction book on a compelling and odd topic; and this was a very good example of exactly that. Yes; its ostensibly about how a lock of Beethovens hair came to be auctioned by Sothebys; and of course it weaves in a biographical sketch of the composer throughout; but it also takes the reader some pretty amazing and unexpected places: the heroic rescue efforts undertaken by the citizens of Denmark on behalf of their Jewish countrymen during the Holocaust; for example.Reminded me of other faves in this same vein; like the books of Paul Collins and Rebecca Skloot.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It was a tedious read; so distracted by the writers choice of ...By Fuzzy FurrI read this because it was a book club selection. It was a tedious read; so distracted by the writers choice of writing style it was hard to sift through the verbiage to essential and somewhat interesting facts. The hops back and forth through time were hard to follow; and the long; long sentences forced me back to the beginnings at times to remember the simple subject and verb of the topic the author was trying to explain with too many dependent clauses and prepositional phrases and asides to add more words to meet the publishers requirement. Pictures would have helped immensely as well. Whew! I got through it!