Chinese Bridges: Living Architecture from China's Past Review

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Chinese Bridges: Living Architecture from China's Past ReviewIf there ever were structures that should follow the maxim that form follows function it would have to be bridges. It is impossible to imagine a more practical structure. Yet, "Chinese Bridges" shows what happens when the Chinese bring their own romantic, over the top aesthetic to the art of bridge building. The result is architectural intoxication of the highest order.
"Chinese Bridges" begins by cataloging the different styles of bridges and then moves to the spiritual dimensions the Chinese embued in their bridges. It concludes with detailed studies of individual bridges. These bridges range from humble vernacular bridges in China's heartland to the beautifully ornate bridges of the country's elites.
Ronald Knapp has been studying the rural architecture of China since 1965 and is one of foremost historian's of China's vernacular architecture. He is a strong writer and his text is well complimented by Chester Ong's beautiful photographs. "Chinese Bridges" is a complementary volume to Knapp's "Chinese Houses". Both are beautifully produced volumes and are a must purchase for fans of Chinese and vernacular architecture. These are two of the finest books in my collection. Highly recommended.Chinese Bridges: Living Architecture from China's Past Overview

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China Style Review

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China Style ReviewThis is an enjoyable book introducing many different places -- mostly residential, but also some hotels and restaurants -- with a variety of Chinese designs.
The best part of the book is the photography by Michael Freeman. In most of the rooms he captures a feeling that it's lived in, a part of someone's daily life. Some books I own on Asian design don't have this quality: the rooms either appear too staged or the photographer gives them a sterile feeling. I could recommend this book on the photos alone.
The text is not quite up to standards of the photos, but it's acceptable. The author, Sharon Leece, obviously knows her subject, but she often lapses into blurb-style. For example, she writes on one house: "The words colourful, extravagent, and opulent can hardly begin to describe the palatial home of Contrasts Gallery owner Pearl Lam."
Another fun aspect of this book is that the places it showcases aren't just the homes of wealthy individuals. You see not only the more than 13,000 square foot Manhattan apartment of Chinese antiquities dealer Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, with its numerous expensive Chinese antiques, but you also get to see how some people with obviously much smaller budgets still managed to design their home with a unique Chinese flavor.China Style Overview

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China's Sacred Sites Review

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China's Sacred Sites ReviewREVIEW SUBTITLE: Curses! Thanks to this book, a decidedly secular person is now hooked on yet another region's spiritual architecture!

The editorial reviews perfectly describe the contents and appeal of this well-written book with its abundance of stunning photographs. That CHINA'S SACRED SITES is also well-bound, printed on good stock and yet relatively affordable seems almost too good to be true. It is difficult to imagine that anyone will regret buying it, including those whose only interest is in viewing the breathtaking integration of man-made structures and nature at sites few will ever be fortunate enough to see in person.
For those unable to find a copy of this book to preview, its contents are as follow:
PART I: MOUNTAINSCAPE CULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE (49 pgs)
-The Silent Music of Architecture
-Mountainscape Culture and Fen Shui
-Geography and Building Layout
-Architectural Elements
PART II: SELECTED SITES (172 pgs.)
-Spacious Summits (32 pgs; 7 sites)
-Cliff Structures (32 pgs; 8 sites)
-Cave Sites (28 pgs; 8 sites)
-Mountainside Temples (40 pgs; 9 sites)
-Mountain Villages (20 pgs; 5 sites)
-Riverside and Lake Sites (20 pgs; 5 sites)
The APPENDIX includes 1) a map locating the sites, 2) a glossary, 3) a timeline of Chinese dynasties, 4) a selected bibliography, and 5) an index.China's Sacred Sites Overview

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