Architecture in Wood: A World History

It is interesting to compare this book with William Hall's book, "Wood." Both books consist of excellent color photographs of wooden structures. Hall's book takes the approach of geometric abstraction with wood happening to be the materials used for cladding. It is a classic example of Function follows Form. Pryce's book, by contrast takes a historical/geographical approach which depicts wooden structures which have stood the test of time and retain an ageless beauty intrinsic to the nature of the material, To be sure, not all of his photographs are of historic wood structures. There are some of more recent vintage.Both books are excellent coffee table books in their own ways and if both are compared and contrasted, an interesting and imaginative dialogue could be established. Therefore, I recommend both to the reader of this review.

All I can say is 'WOW !!!!'

Will Pryce is a superb photographer - both technically and aesthetically. The variety of buildings covered in this book is astounding and its production values are of the highest order. Rarely does one buy a book in this category where it seems that one has received MORE than his/her money's worth, but this is certainly the case here. Many of the plates leave one gasping with disbelief at, and admiration for, human ingenuity in every corner of the globe, whether it be the quite extraordinary Church of the Holy Archangels at Surdesti in the Carpathian mountains, the sublimely proportioned white neo-classical, elegantly spired church in Newport, Rhode Island, or the many intricately ornamented temples of Japan, China, and South-East Asia. The photographs are so sharply focused and finely printed that one can spend hours poring over the many hundreds of exquisite architecture details at one's leisure. The natural settings themselves too are often worthy of prolonged scrutiny. Pryce is from an architectural background so his succinct accompanying text is both informed and illuminating, though nothing could ever be as compelling a document as his collection of crisp, luminous, and beautifully composed photographs themselves. Within the inevitable constraints of the camera's two-dimensional medium they really deliver the goods in a generous succession of truly memorable images. I advise anyone interested in human material culture to delay no longer: this book is an absolute must for your shelves and one to which you will want to return for many years to come.

I have always been interested in designing structures in timber . In fact I have just designed a double hammer beam roof for a swimming pool hall .That said , I came across this book whilst brousing through Amazon's vast collection of such books . I immediately ordered a copy and was not disappointed . It's not a highly technical book , laced with calculations , but a beautiful collection of historic and modern timber structures . The photographs are superb and the whole book is a gem as far as I am concerned . I have seen many timber buildings whilst living and working in south-east Asia , and this book brought back some nice memories .I recommend this book to anyone interested in timbered structures . It is a nice read .

Lovely interesting reading.

Gift, they love it

This isn't as good as the brick book, but still very lovely to have out on the coffee table. Lovely photography.

A beautiful book with some great pictures of buildings in wood from around the world.Made me appreciate the skill of the carvers and the different colours to be fund in wood. Also thanks to Speedyhen-their delivery service really is speedy!