Cosa distingue una colonna dorica da una colonna ionica? Come si sostiene un arco rampante? Quali sono i princìpi fondamentali dell'architettura moderna? Che differenza c'è tra restauro e conservazione? In 50 brevi saggi Philip Wilkinson guida il lettore alla scoperta della storia dell'architettura con una narrazione chiara, autorevole e avvincente. Un approccio nuovo e documentato che segue l'evoluzione delle idee nel corso dei secoli, partendo dall'antica Grecia, attraverso gli sviluppi rivoluzionari della fine del XIX secolo, per arrivare alle forme scultoree degli Espressionisti e all'essenzialità degli edifici in vetro e cemento armato dell'International Style o - più di recente - all'ironia e all'allusione presente nel Postmoderno e alle linee guida dell'architettura verde.

Il grattacielo alto un miglio, la cupola che sovrasta gran parte di Lower Manhattan, l'arco trionfale a forma di elefante: alcuni degli edifici più impressionanti della storia dell'architettura non sono mai stati realizzati. In tali progetti, gli architetti hanno spinto l'uso dei materiali al limite estremo, esplorato idee nuove e ambiziose, sfidato le convenzioni, concedendosi libertà creative o aprendo la strada verso il futuro. Alcuni sono veri e propri capolavori dell'architettura, altri sono soltanto incantevoli voli di fantasia. Non è stata la mediocrità a ostacolarne la realizzazione; a fermarli sui tavoli da disegno sono stati piuttosto la politica, la mancanza di fondi oppure committenti troppo prudenti, che hanno preferito realizzare progetti tradizionali piuttosto che quelle visioni ardite. Tra questi edifici mai costruiti ci sono grandiosi progetti che sono diventati dei veri e propri biglietti da visita per i loro ideatori, sperimentazioni al limite della tecnologia, idee visionarie per la città del futuro e autentici articoli di fede architettonica. Strutture come la cupola di Richard Buckminster Fuller su New York o il grattacielo di Frank Lloyd Wright possono sembrare azzardati, ma di fatto hanno indicato una strada, tracciata decenni più tardi da edifici come l'Eden Project in Cornovaglia e lo Shard di Londra. Protagoniste assolute di questo libro illustrato, le architetture fantastiche sono molteplici. Alcune di esse sono disegni di grande bellezza, come l'enorme monumento sferico di Etienne-Louis Boullée per Isaac Newton; altre, come i piani urbanistici d

The 400-year story of music told by the instruments that make an orchestra.

The History of Music in 50 Instruments outlines musical history in well-written nuggets of information. Profiling one instrument at a time, it describes the history of music since the 1700s, when orchestras first took the formal shape familiar to us. The concise text explains the role of each instrument in the orchestra and its importance in the development of music in general.

The book lists the 50 instruments chronologically in the woodwind, brass, percussion and string sections of an orchestra. The classic instruments are included -- violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, harp and more. Some instruments reflect the musical period or context in which they were most popular, such as the harpsichord in the Baroque period, and the snare drum in military parades. Among the unusual instruments is the otherworldly theremin.

A wide range of modern and archival photographs and paintings show the instruments. Entries outline their historical and country origins and the era in which they were played (e.g. Classical, Modern). Annotated illustrations explain the instrument's construction, how it is played and tuned, and its musical range. Composers, musical compositions and musicians that highlight the particular instrument are examined. For example, Baroque composer Antonio Vivalidi's contribution to the violin; inventor Adolphe Sax's tenacious promotion of his saxophone in the 1840s; and 20th century pianist Glenn Gould's controversial recordings of Bach's Goldberg Variations.

For musicians, teachers and students, and all who enjoy music, this book is a beautiful and informative tour of the orchestra and beyond.

Featuring DK's signature lush, visual style, Great Design provides a fascinating overview of the dynamic history of design from the 1860s onwards. It traces the development of modern design from all corners of the world, including product design, furniture, graphics, industrial design, and textiles.

With more than 100 of the best designs explored and explained, from Bauhaus posters and bubble chairs to the Citroën DS and the iPad, Great Design is a stunning visual guide to the icons of modern design.

Including profiles of influential designers, workshops, and movements, as well as highlighting the key characteristic elements, reading Great Design is like being taken on a tour of a design museum with a personal guide who points out what to look at, deciphers key points of style, and helps you understand what design is and how it works.

DK Readers now have a fresh new look featuring redesigned jackets and interiors, and up-to-date vocabulary throughout! Stunning photographs combine with lively illustrations and engaging age-appropriate stories in DK Readers, a multi-level reading program guaranteed to capture children's interest while developing their reading skills and general knowledge.

With DK Readers, children learn to read — then read to learn!

Cosa distingue una colonna dorica da una colonna ionica? Come si sostiene un arco rampante? Quali sono i princìpi fondamentali dell'architettura moderna? Che differenza c'è tra restauro e conservazione? In 50 brevi saggi Philip Wilkinson guida il lettore alla scoperta della storia dell'architettura con una narrazione chiara, autorevole e avvincente. Un approccio nuovo e documentato che segue l'evoluzione delle idee nel corso dei secoli, partendo dall'antica Grecia, attraverso gli sviluppi rivoluzionari della fine del XIX secolo, per arrivare alle forme scultoree degli Espressionisti e all'essenzialità degli edifici in vetro e cemento armato dell'International Style o - più di recente - all'ironia e all'allusione presente nel Postmoderno e alle linee guida dell'architettura verde.

Myths & Legends retells the stories central to every culture that have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. Coverage extends from the well-known tales of the Ancient Greeks, which hold the key to the origin of such phrases as 'Achille's heel,' to the lesser-known, but richly colorful, myths of the Americas and the East. Topic spreads explore characters and stories in terms of their cultural, psychological, and religious meanings and show their power, purpose, and influence both in their own time and in today's world. Feature spreads visit the sacred sites that can still be seen today, and underline the importance of themes that appear across cultures and through the centuries. In looking at such universal themes as creation, heroic trials, tricksters' lessons, and death and the afterlife, Myths & Legends investigates how different cultures have addressed questions such as How was the world created? How did man learn to use fire? and Why do we grow old?

Around 1412, a baby girl was born in the village of Domrémy who would change France forever. A farmer's daughter, she seemed destined for an unremarkable life. But as the dramatic narrative of this World History Biography reveals, Joan's life was anything but ordinary. By the age of 13, she knew her destiny?to drive the English invaders from France. By 17, she had led an army to victory at Orléans. Captured in battle, and too poor to be ransomed, Joan was burned at the stake before her 20th birthday.

The English Buildings Book is the most comprehensive single volume on English architecture for the general reader and architectural historian alike. It is a visual cornucopia and a tribute to the diversity of the English built environment, which is among the richest and most diverse in the world. Where most general books on English buildings are arranged chronologically, The English Buildings Book is arranged by building type and use. A series of chapters deals with distinct groups of buildings, from parish churches to railway stations. This arrangement makes the book a more useful and easily navigated reference guide for the reader. The English Buildings Book is truly broad in its coverage. Over 700 buildings are described and illustrated, and they range from the architectural icons - such as castles, cathedrals, and country houses - to the less noticeable but equally fascinating buildings of England's towns and villages - parish churches and meeting houses, shops and hotels, town halls and market halls, windmills and lighthouses, barns and bars. Nowhere else can such diverse coverage be found.

Around 1412, a baby girl was born in the village of Domremy who would change France forever. A farmer's daughter, she seemed destined for an unremarkable life. But as the dramatic narrative of this World History Biography reveals, Joan's life was anything but ordinary. By the age of 13, she knew her destiny?to drive the English invaders from France. By 17, she had led an army to victory at Orleans. Captured in battle, and too poor to be ransomed, Joan was burned at the stake before her 20th birthday.

Around 1412, a baby girl was born in the village of Domremy who would change France forever. A farmer's daughter, she seemed destined for an unremarkable life. But as the dramatic narrative of this World History Biography reveals, Joan's life was anything but ordinary. By the age of 13, she knew her destiny?to drive the English invaders from France. By 17, she had led an army to victory at Orleans. Captured in battle, and too poor to be ransomed, Joan was burned at the stake before her 20th birthday.

A shy, serious boy, Mahatma Gandhi would later lead India to nationhood and change the course of history. After studying law in London, he championed Indian rights in South Africa for two decades. He returned to India in 1914, leading a campaign of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience against British rule. Philip Wilkinson's lively narrative takes us through his remarkable life, up to India's independence in 1947, and the tragic conclusion; in 1948 Gandhi was assassinated by a fanatic opposed to his program of tolerance for all creeds and religions.

Latest in this reference series, highly visual and bringing world myths, gods, heroes, creatures and mythical places to life.

La vera storia di Mohandas Gandhi, dall'infanzia alla straordinaria vita da liberatore dell'India. Per scoprire il mondo della giovinezza di Gandhi, dai giochi che praticava alle storie che amava. Una linea temporale mostra gli avvenimenti della vita di Gandhi collocandoli nel più ampio contesto mondiale. Illustrazioni e cartine riportano in vita l'India di Gandhi, dalle feste ai templi. Età di lettura: da 12 anni.

An easy-to-follow, visual overview of world religion incorporates more than seven hundred full-color illustrations and a lucid text to identify, explain, and compare major religions around the world, featuring more than one thousand entries on religious concepts, major figures, key events, and beliefs. Reprint.

An introduction to Christian beliefs and culture discusses the life and teachings of Jesus, the Gospels, divisions and sects within Christianity, and Christian life.

Has any other artist left the world such a vast legacy as Michelangelo? Author Philip Wilkinson leads young readers on a journey of discovery through the life and works of the Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, and poet in a visually evocative book.

Wilkinson's lively narrative follows Michelangelo from his early apprenticeship in fresco through his fascination with sculpture, which gave us such masterpieces as the Pieta and David. Readers learn how Michelangelo studied anatomy by cutting up cadavers and of his tortuous struggle to release the human form from raw stone.

With the help of period artwork, quotes, and photographs of artifacts, the book traces Michelangelo's lifelong association with the Medici family and his Vatican patronage through several papacies. His monumental work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling is examined in detail, as is Michelangelo's role as Chief Architect to St. Peter's. Michelangelo's story will enthrall all who are inspired by the search for perfection.

The author of The British Buildings Book and other books for adults and children on architecture traces the history of UK monasteries (including nunneries) from the 7th-early 16th centuries. In this photoessay, Wilkinson introduces changing patterns of monastic life, the architecture of various orders, and a gazetteer of about 290 selected from some 1,000--indicating which ones are open to the public and relevant Web sites. The Cotswolds-residing author views these monastic ruins as a window on the medieval past in addition to being inherently interesting. The volume includes a glossary of Abbey-related terms and further reading. Distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Gandhi was born in Porbandar, India on October 2, 1869. A shy, serious boy, Gandhi was married at age 13. The marriage had been arranged by his parents. The Gandhis would have four children.Gandhi studied law in London. He returned to India in 1891 to practice law, but had little success. In 1893 Gandhi traveled to South Africa to do some legal work. Almost immediately upon his arrival, he was abused because he was an Indian who claimed his rights as a British subject. He saw all Indians suffered from discrimination. His law assignment was for one year, but he stayed in South Africa for 21 years to work for Indian rights. Gandhi developed a method of direct social action, based upon principles of courage, nonviolence, and truth, which he called Satagraha. In this method, the way people behave is more important than what they achieve.Gandhi led many campaigns for Indian rights in South Africa. He edited a newspaper, promoted civil disobedience campaigns, and organized a strike among Indian miners. He was arrested many times by the British, but his efforts brought important reforms. Gandhi worked for the British when he felt justice was on their side. He was decorated by them for paramedic work in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902 and the Zulu Rebellion of 1906. In 1914, Gandhi returned to India. Within 5 years, he became the leader of the Indian nationalist movement. Gandhi led a Satyagraha campaign in 1919 that succeeded in preventing the passage of a bill making it unlawful to organize opposition to the government. The massacre of almost 400 Indians by British troops made Gandhi even more determined to develop Satyagraha and win independence through nonviolent resistance. Gandhi fasted to impress people with the need to be nonviolent. In 1920, Gandhi began a program of hand spinning and weaving to address both economic and political issues. He led his followers on a 240-mile march to the sea in 1930, to protest a law making it illegal to possess salt not bought from the government. During WWII, Gandhi continued his struggle for India's freedom through nonviolent disobedience to British rule. He was often jailed. Altogether he spent seven years in prison for political activity. He believed that it was honorable to go to jail for a good cause. India was granted freedom in 1947 but was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Rioting between Hindus and Muslims followed. On January 13, 1948, at the age of 78, Gandhi began his last fast. His purpose was to end the bloodshed between Hindus, Muslims, and other groups. Five days later, when leaders agreed to stop the fighting, Gandhi broke his fast. Twelve days later, he was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic who opposed Gandhi's program of tolerance for all creeds and religions.

The Kingfisher Student Atlas is designed specially to meet the needs of school-age children. The clear layout and color locator maps make it exceptionally easy for them to find more than 10,000 place names, or to quickly locate countries and their associated geographic, physical, and background information.

This wide-ranging atlas begins by examining Earth's place in the solar system and includes thematic maps showing climate, vegetation, and population. The main atlas section is organized by continent and includes world physical and political maps. Each continent is introduced by a physical relief map, followed by regional maps showing individual countries and regions in greater detail.

The accompanying Mac and PC compatible CD-ROM includes maps that can be printed and used for projects or just for fun, making this an essential modern atlas for home and school.

Examines the phenomena of unidentified flying objects and encounters with alien beings