From the Author
I feel that an Author, should be able to aptly define, drum and defend his/her work - in a single sentence; so with all the humility in my nature, and with all the certitude in my work - I voice my sincerely subjective supposition - in a single sentence.
" Dear reader, this is - the perfect book on Architectural History - one that you always wished there was - non-hostile in length and language - a thoroughly revealing and truly rewarding read; a feat unmatched in quality, unprecedented in clarity and unsubstitutable in pragmatism; a must read - if you are willing to acknowledge and appreciate Architectural History - in its true, naked, bare-boned disposition - without the superficial flesh of abstract metaphors and metaphysics - or the shroud of sweet sugar coating that is all too common in Architectural presentations, magazines and books alike; however, do remember - this is a book exclusively for the brave - who can face the very true (and very pragmatic) reality of this overly glossed up subject - and who cannot just survive, but thrive - through the illuminating disillusionment that will most certainly ensue; so my dear reader - read this book, only if you dare ! "
Why to read this book ?
If you ever wished for a book - a concise textbook - that could explain in clear and unambiguous terms - with short and crisp examples - the processes - the principles - the true nature of Architectural History - then here it is !
Of the few books written on Architectural History, this is the only one - that approaches the subject at such a deeply philosophical level, yet uses words so sweet and simple - that they could be understood (and even enjoyed) by anyone and everyone !
This unique book eloquently explains much of what is so fashionably scrambled up' in the B.Arch course. Written with the designing hard and hardly reading students in mind - this book is a must read for Architectural students, who are trying hard to make some sense out of the mystified world that Architectural History has largely been abandoned to become !
This simple book effortlessly does, what has been due for far too long - and strangely, has never been done before, as effectively, by any other book. This marvelous book, irrespective of your proficiency in Architectural History - will take you light-years ahead, in a few hours - into thinking like the Great Architects' !
Reading this book would hardly take you two hours, but in those two hours - you would have learnt more about Architectural History - than
Perhaps it would be more graceful (and less controversial) to confidently leave it to satisfied readers like you - to complete the sentence !
About the Author
Mohammed Ashique Shaikh is an Architect, Planner, Teacher and Author. He has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Rizvi College of Architecture - University of Mumbai; as well as a Master of City Planning degree from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology at Kharagpur. He happens to be a gifted writer - with a knack for conveying complex ideas in concise words - in an apt, appealing and at times amusing manner - as he has splendidly done in this outstanding book !
With a deeply philosophical yet pragmatic perspective on the subject - he pens his ideas in simple words - for the benefit of all interested. He stays in Mumbai, India - with his beloved family !