Descripciones mejoradas de Syndetics:

Bridges, the least known and understood of China's many wonders, are one of its most striking and resilient feats of architectural prowess.

Chinese Bridges brings together a thorough look at the marvels of Chinese bridge design from one of the world's leading experts on Chinese culture and historical geography, Ronald G. Knapp. While many consider bridges to be merely utilitarian civil engineering, the bridges of China move beyond that stereotype, as many are undeniably dramatic, even majestic and daring. Chinese Bridges illustrates in detail 20 well-preserved ancient bridges along with descriptions and essays on the distinctive architectural elements shared by the various designs.

For the first time in an English-language book, Chinese Bridges records scores of newly discovered bridges across China's vast landscape, illustrated with over 400 color photographs, as well as woodblock prints, historical images, paintings and line drawings.

Reseñas proporcionadas por Syndetics

CHOICE Review

As Peter Bol writes in his foreword to this splendid book, "Bridges are good metaphors. They join what is separated; they increase communication; ... they are social and cultural constructions." This is precisely the viewpoint presented by Knapp (emer., SUNY New Paltz; China's Old Dwellings, CH, Mar'01, 38-3715). This book, featuring excellent photographs, introduces readers not only to the many innovative types of Chinese bridges, but also to their historical and cultural place in the environment. It is divided into three parts: "China's Ancient Building Traditions," focusing on a variety of types; "Chinese Bridges as Living Architecture," a look at folk culture, feng shui, Buddhist, and magical overtones; and "China's Fine Heritage Bridges," highlighting the Forbidden City and famous bridge constructions throughout China, including Lugou, Zhaozhou, and the famous Jingxing arched bridge surmounted by Qiaolou Hall in Hebei. Part 3 also visits Yangzi water towns, Suzhou and Hangzhou garden bridges, and "wind and rain" bridges. Especially wonderful for historians, the photographs are complemented by numerous stone rubbings, woodblock prints, and details from scroll paintings from the Han Dynasty to present. This is necessary reading for all who are interested in Chinese architecture, history, and culture. Summing Up: Essential. Lower-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers; general readers. S. C. Scott McDaniel College

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

Ronald G. Knapp has been carrying out research on cultural and historical geography in China's countryside since 1965. Currently SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the State University of New York, New Paltz, he is the author or contributing editor of more than a dozen books, including the award-winning Chinese Houses: The Architectural Heritage of a Nation.