1: Wren's 'Tracts' - a wonderful compendium of Primary Sources
In this work Prof. Soo has collected the surviving writings of Wren on architecture. These, for the serious student, are invaluable, and here they are collected together in one volume for the first time, at least in modern times.Covering such topics as London's antiquities, Reports on Gothic churches, Church architecture in general, and the tracts themselves, Soo's work gives the reader a rare chance to 'get into the mind' of one of the greatest minds ever to have existed. Soo's annotations shed much light on Wren's own writings (many of which were actually transcribed by Wren' own son). Much has been written about Britain's most famous architect, but very few have attempted to get 'under the bonnet' (hood) of the Great Man - and here Soo has succeeded. Copiously illustrated with Wren's own drawings and many contemporary illustrations, the book can be thoroughly recommended. A magnificent effort.
|