# Please recommend a good basic architecture book **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 28, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-good-basic-architecture-book/590666 "2011-07-28T20:59:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-good-basic-architecture-book/590666/1 "2011-07-28T20:59:43Z")
I just need a really, really basic “what things are called” sort of book. A book for middle graders or high schoolers might be about my speed. I’m reading a travel book about Great Britain and I keep coming across sentences like: (about Lincoln Cathedral) “The west front is a harmonious mix of Norman and Gothic styles…” I don’t know what defines either style, let alone a harmonious mix! Help! ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-good-basic-architecture-book/590666/2 "2011-07-29T06:10:36Z")
A good start: > **[A Visual Dictionary Architecture Second Edition: Ching, Francis D.K.:...](https://www.amazon.com/Visual-Dictionary-Architecture-Francis-Ching/dp/0470648856)** > > A Visual Dictionary Architecture Second Edition \[Ching, Francis D.K.\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. A Visual Dictionary Architecture Second Edition I teach architecture to children in middle school. I use this. There is also a Penguin brand dictionary of architecture that I use. ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-good-basic-architecture-book/590666/3 "2011-07-29T10:58:53Z")
suggest the brit. if you’re focusing on the UK, start with architectural history, and then focus on each period. visit hampton court. you will notice the marked difference between the original structure facing the thames (tudor) to the later outer wings designed by christopher wren (baroque.) then read on the history of the present houses of parliament. they’re a recent contruction (younger than the capitol building of the US.) find out what guided its construction. i’ve a feeling all your basic questions can be answered in SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-good-basic-architecture-book/590666/4 "2011-07-29T12:34:31Z")
**a35362** , I see you’re in Illinois – I like [What Style is It? A Guide to American Architecture](http://www.amazon.com/What-Style-American-Architecture-Revised/dp/0471250368/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311942681&sr=8-1), an inexpensive little book that will show some of the types of buildings your students will see every day, not just the huge cathedrals and mansions. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-good-basic-architecture-book/590666/5 "2011-07-29T15:31:17Z")
I’m the one with students, not a35362. 🙂 The OP is asking for a book specifically about the architecture styles of Great Britain. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-good-basic-architecture-book/590666/6 "2011-07-29T15:40:16Z")
Well, it doesn’t have to be specifically about Great Britain – that’s just what I’m reading about at the moment. But thanks for the suggestions! An illustrated dictionary is just what I need! ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-good-basic-architecture-book/590666/7 "2011-07-29T15:42:39Z")
I misread his “A book for middle graders or high schoolers” part – I wasn’t looking at your profile, **Bad News Baboon**. My apologies.