The Story of Architecture

“Rybczynski’s expansive account traces the influence of social, technological, and economic shifts on architecture across centuries.”—New York Times Book Review

“A calm, gentlemanly and intelligent book. . . . This is a book with deep pilings of knowledge supporting a facade of avuncular charm. . . . It has so much humane warmth that even modestly chilly rebukes seem out of place.”—Stephen Bayley, Spectator

“[Rybczynski] is a subtle reader of buildings and their meanings, and this is an elegant and thoughtful primer on the built environment.”—Michael Prodger, New Statesman

“An intriguing read. . . . Rybczynski is an engaging writer, skilled in making esoteric content accessible to a broad readership.”—Kelvin Browne, Literary Review of Canada

“The finest architectural writer in our language. . . . [The Story of Architecture] represents a kind of magnum opus and summary of Rybczynski’s favorite buildings throughout history, in places he has visited over the course of his long career.”—Mark Alan Hewitt, New Criterion

“An engaging and readable account.”—Amy Trendler, Library Journal

“[Rybczynski] is one of the best general interpreters of architecture in the English language. . . . The Story of Architecture is an erudite, engaging history that teaches readers how to really look at a building and sets up a fruitful dialogue between different architects and styles.”—Amanda Kolson Hurley, American Scholar

“The Story of Architecture is refreshingly curious and open-minded about the buildings it discusses . . . [and] notable for how strongly it focuses on the architects themselves, as it walks us through their decision-making process.”—Michael Lewis, Claremont Review of Books

“Elegantly written. . . . Rybczynski provides readers with an incisive analysis of architectural wonders from the fifth millennium B.C. to roughly 2020.”—Garry Boulard, Built Environment

“The Story of Architecture is a great treasure. What a rare gift Rybczynski has. Students lucky enough to immerse themselves in these pages will remember the experience forever.”—Ingrid Rowland, author of Vitruvius: Ten Books on Architecture

“Ever the pragmatist, Rybczynski shares exactly what he sees and what he wants us to see. Simultaneously celebrating the power of architectural practice over many centuries and the humanness always inherent in the creation of great buildings, this remarkable book is accessible to a broad public yet full of wisdom for the practicing architect.”—William Rawn, founding principal, William Rawn Associates Architects

“Rybczynski’s riveting narrative, in a voice both erudite and personal, illuminates an anthology of important buildings. He reveals not only the historical and intellectual roots but above all the beauty of the architecture.”—Peter Pennoyer, architect and author of A House in the Country

“Witold Rybczynski is one of architecture’s most genial storytellers. His newest tome, The Story of Architecture—told primarily through the Western canon—is a wonderful and refreshingly readable primer on the development of the art of building.”—Deborah Berke, FAIA, dean, Yale School of Architecture