Victorian Architecture: Diversity and Invention. This item is unavailable.Victorian Architecture: Diversity and Invention

636 pages. Heavy book may incur additional freight outside of NZ Although more than a century has passed since the end of the Victorian era, t he great achievements of the period 1837-1901 are grossly undervalued. Phrases s uch as 'Victorian monstrosity' are bandied about by many who ought to know bette r. Professor Curl's robustly argued and beautifully illustrated book shows that the Victorians produced confident, colourful, rumbustiously eclectic architectur e, and that they went further than anyone since Roman times to potty-train Urban Man. He deals with the palette of styles available to the Victorians; unprecede nted building-types; new materials; ecclesiastical buildings that, arguably, wer e superior to mediaeval exemplars; the responses of a vital society to contempor ary challenges; and puts the built fabric firmly within the context of the intel lectual complexities of the age. Wearing his learning lightly, he presents his c ase with grace, gusto and elegance, bringing the Victorian period to new life in a work which will give readers much to ponder, savour and enjoy.…