This Brutal World

This is a great book, why do reviewers think you need more text to ruin something you see! Seriously, the preface was atrocious. I bet my 11-year old niece could write something better and shorter, a writer the author is not! But I write this not to bash the author who is a photographer.. I think (couldn't get through the ridiculously long life-history that was the preface), but to make a point that a photographer should stick to photographing! Thank you, author, for not writing more than you did. Each page has at least two photos of a building, small text to the side: Name of building, Location, Year, Architect. Also on each spread is a quote related to this style of architecture, which gave just enough humanity to both the book and buildings, a very smart move! Any Nihilists out there eat your fudgeing hearts out. To say these structures are imposing, brutal, unforgiving, would be correct, but maybe just a bit of disservice. They are all together philosophic, immortal, conscious. What I mean is they don't revel in their imposingly "brutal" nature, they are aware of such and transcend themselves. They command only to themselves, and in such sense become their own entity. When a creation has the power to exist outside of its creator, the creator becomes.. uneasy. That's what these buildings are, they have become something unto themselves, unquestionable–many can't seem to cope with such unease.

Brutalism is an interesting period in architectural history. It is confident and confrontational. It is hated by traditionalists. It is feared by conformists. Have no fear, because the west has lost the kind of confidence and the "dare to confront" kind of spirit that spurred brutalism. The book is very well laid out. Fantastic pictures. A must have for people who are interested in this unique cultural phenomenon.

This is an truly quality book. Whilst I’ve only had time to read the introduction and have a good flick though, I can say that this is a beautifully put together book. It’s filled cover to cover with lovely moody black and white photos of Brutalist buildings with each having a caption to say what and where it is. The book is well made and is a piece of art in itself really. If you like photography and Brutalist \ concrete architecture then you’ll love this book - I share this interest with the author, along with his music taste which sounds identical to mine. Very pleased with it!

Anche questo testo è una rarità, il movimento architettonico oggetto della trattazione è fra i più interessanti e... trascurati dall'Editoria. L'ho cercato ovunque in librerie prestigiose e specializzate: niente. Splendide immagini, rilegato. Evviva Amazon

Wunderbar gesetzt und gedruckt. Die Fotografien sind durchweg schwarz weiß und von sehr hoher technischer und ästhetischer Qualität. Ich ziehe das Buch immer wieder raus und blättere darin mit größtem Vergnügen. Die Auswahl zwischen alten Bekannten und mir völlig neuen Bauten ist sehr spannend. Einer der schönsten Architektur Bände der vergangenen Jahre.