Scan barcode
katymvt's review
2.0
Pop Sugar Reading Challenge 2022-First of two books set in twin cities.
This book was very dry and too centered on architecture.
This book was very dry and too centered on architecture.
brianlokker's review
2.0
This book presents a historical overview of Buenos Aires through the lens of its architecture and infrastructure.
As someone who's never been to Argentina and is unfamiliar with the city, I learned some things about the history of Buenos Aires and Argentina. I got a general sense of the city, along with a few details that made an impression on me: for example, the unrelenting grid pattern, the prevalence of the octava at street intersections, the 20-lane width of Avenida de 9 Julio. But as a reader with no architectural training, a lot of the building descriptions seemed dry and jargon-heavy to me and were therefore not all that interesting.
This is a book that would be greatly improved by more and better photographs and maps — in color to the extent possible. Quite a few of the black and white photos of buildings (many by the author himself) are totally insufficient to illustrate the points being made about them (at least insufficient to me as a non-architect). Probably the best format would be an e-book with color photos and maps as well as links to explanations of architectural terms, more in-depth information about historical figures, and so forth.
I didn't dislike the book, but it's hard for me to enthusiastically recommend it, other than maybe to architects, city planners, and those who are already familiar with Buenos Aires and want to learn more.
As someone who's never been to Argentina and is unfamiliar with the city, I learned some things about the history of Buenos Aires and Argentina. I got a general sense of the city, along with a few details that made an impression on me: for example, the unrelenting grid pattern, the prevalence of the octava at street intersections, the 20-lane width of Avenida de 9 Julio. But as a reader with no architectural training, a lot of the building descriptions seemed dry and jargon-heavy to me and were therefore not all that interesting.
This is a book that would be greatly improved by more and better photographs and maps — in color to the extent possible. Quite a few of the black and white photos of buildings (many by the author himself) are totally insufficient to illustrate the points being made about them (at least insufficient to me as a non-architect). Probably the best format would be an e-book with color photos and maps as well as links to explanations of architectural terms, more in-depth information about historical figures, and so forth.
I didn't dislike the book, but it's hard for me to enthusiastically recommend it, other than maybe to architects, city planners, and those who are already familiar with Buenos Aires and want to learn more.
caroreadssometimes's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Really enjoyed the writing style and somewhat melodramatic tone Gardner writes with. Also thought the description of the architecture and explanation of city planning was very well done, it’s any urbanist’s dream. It’s very clear Gardner loves the city and that helps make it a compelling read.
While I understand that the book couldn’t hope to encompass the entirety of Buenos Aires’ political and social history and never aimed to do so, I do think Gardner glosses over a few key pieces while being repetitive about some of the early (pre-1800s) history. There’s a bias intertwined with the narrative that leaves little room for critical analysis of the way politics have shaped the city (outside of the visions of certain presidents and their urban planners). I think Gardner didn’t want to get too involved in trying to impartially explain Argentina’s political history and so sidestepped the question. I can understand why he made that choice, but it personally left me looking for something more.
Overall I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend to someone unfamiliar with Buenos Aires and/or with a particular interest in urbanism, but if you’re looking for something with more historical nuance, you might find it a little lacking.
While I understand that the book couldn’t hope to encompass the entirety of Buenos Aires’ political and social history and never aimed to do so, I do think Gardner glosses over a few key pieces while being repetitive about some of the early (pre-1800s) history. There’s a bias intertwined with the narrative that leaves little room for critical analysis of the way politics have shaped the city (outside of the visions of certain presidents and their urban planners). I think Gardner didn’t want to get too involved in trying to impartially explain Argentina’s political history and so sidestepped the question. I can understand why he made that choice, but it personally left me looking for something more.
Overall I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend to someone unfamiliar with Buenos Aires and/or with a particular interest in urbanism, but if you’re looking for something with more historical nuance, you might find it a little lacking.
howjessicareads's review
4.0
To review for Shelf Awareness. A solid history of a city I knew little about.
More...