The quality of graphic presentation is outstanding. In fact, this series could easily cross over into a multi- media format as so much is based on fantastic models supported by informative illustrations which ask to go beyond a dictionary format.

The book is organized by style in a chronological order with topic focus sections on wall types, arches and other key elements. Three or four of the usual monumental examples have been selected to illustrate each style with the wonderful addition of the common buildings of each period. A simple Roman mill shares the page with the Coliseum and a detail of wattle and daub construction, an editorial quality often missing from the standard text of Architectural school. This book makes a great addition to a child's shelf as well as that of an Architects. It is fascinating to see the complexities of language which has developed as a way of accounting for the many bits and pieces of a building. Architrave to Trapezium, Oculus and Couronnement, memories of the flash cards required to pass architectural history classes could have been put aside in favor of this visual dictionary. Oh, there is a name for that!!!! As the language often follows the style into obscurity, this dictionary reminds us that so much has been lost.

Just imagine the room in the basement full of these fantastic models, a space that Soan would love , dense in content, asking for exploration. Like hunting in your grandparents attic, the finding of something adds to understanding, forming a place in ones mind for the new subject. This is not an A to Z search and retrieve book, rather it asks for discovery . If there is a fault it is that the work is too slim and the second edition could add so much more "meat" to this clear and wonderful work.

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