Section Review

Trachtenberg and Hyman’s Architecture: From Prehistory to Postmodernity offers a great introduction to beginning architecture students. In its second edition, this text has been long been a standard in history courses for accredited architecture schools across the United States. It is strong in its assessment of general architectural movements, but not intended to be comprehensive, instead offering a few exemplary buildings to communicate broader movement ideas.

Who Should Buy

Those interested in a broad historical survey of Western architecture spanning from prehistory (Great Pyramid of Giza, Parthenon, etc.) to the year 2000.

Who Should Not Buy

Students looking for information on Eastern, Middle Eastern, and African works. While there are references to Asian and Islamic architectures, this text is not strong in its survey.