Built to Last

by David Macaulay

Overview

This new book—inspired by three classic, award-winning books—reveals the how and why behind some of the most fascinating and enduring structures humankind has ever created. Macaulay has revised texts based on new research, created gorgeous new drawings, in some cases wholly re-imagined scenes from the books—bringing Castle and Cathedral to life in full-color for the very first time. The resulting illustrations add to the reader’s understanding of these buildings, capturing intriguing new perspectives and a depth of detail in structure and atmosphere.
This impeccably researched volume is not only a necessary addition to the bookshelf of any David Macaulay or architecture fan, but will delight readers of all ages who are experiencing his work for the first time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547342405
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/25/2010
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	412,490
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	NC1280L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 12 Years

About the Author

David Macaulay is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books have sold millions of copies in the United States alone, and his work has been translated into a dozen languages. Macaulay has garnered numerous awards including the Caldecott Medal and Honor Awards, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, the Christopher Award, an American Institute of Architects Medal, and the Washington Post–Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award. In 2006, he was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, given “to encourage people of outstanding talent to pursue their own creative, intellectual, and professional inclinations.” Superb design, magnificent illustrations, and clearly presented information distinguish all of his books. David Macaulay lives with his family in Vermont.

Editorial Reviews

"No mere colorization of the black-and-white originals of the first two books [Castle and Cathedral](thank goodness!), the all-new, often breathtaking images have been drawn by hand and then digitally colored to harmonize, beautifully, with the look of Mosque."—Kirkus, starred review 

"Hold onto your old copies; but add this new version, too. All have much to offer, and comparison is fascinating: illustration, bookmaking, and communication continue to evolve."—The Horn Book, starred review
"Though most libraries won’t want to discard their copies of Cathedral and Castle, the new color artwork and updated content give this three-books-in-one volume high value and strong appeal."—School Library Journal, starred review


Praise for The Way We Work

"To his many fans, David Macaulay is nothing less than America's Explainer-in-Chief"—The Providence Journal  "Humor thus occasionally leavens the information, which, though often complex and technical, is clearly and succinctly presented in double-page spreads, accompanied by an illuminating array of illustrations (including diagrams and cross-sections), often full of visual metaphors and striking angles. Nonfiction (reference books, in particular) rarely seems to get the respect it deserves, but Macaulay’s latest ambitious, encyclopedic work commands it."—The Horn Book, starred review ". . . the accuracy, detail and depth of information make this an essential addition to most collections."—Kirkus Reviews 

"The wonder that is David Macaulay is at it again....The work of this Caldecott medal winner and recipient of the McArthur grant is always a must-have in any library."—VOYA (5Q4P), highlighted review 

Praise for Mosque

"Macaulay offers an unusual, inspiring perspective into Islamic society that's removed from the charged headlines, and as in all his work, he conveys a contagious awe and wonder at the design and engineering feats that societies have accomplished." —Booklist, starred review —

From the Publisher

Gr 5 Up—Three of Macaulay's classic construction books, Castle, Cathedral, and Mosque, are combined in one volume, with a wealth of new material added. Rather than merely colorizing the original lines of the first two, the artist created all new illustrations and reworked most of the text for consistency and accuracy. Felt-tipped markers and colored pencils offer striking new views in Castle and Cathedral, matching the depth, detail, and clarity of the earlier versions without the extensive crosshatching used in the original black-and-white drawings. The content of some pictures has changed, frequently adding to the human stories that are told along with the construction. The architectural complexities of the church come through in both versions of Castle, for example, but the new one subtly adds the emotional element of a funeral in progress in the background. Other changes add key steps not covered previously, such as roofing the crypt in Cathedral. Some written passages are expanded and others are more concise, depending on the topic. Some steps, such as the window-making in Cathedral, are placed earlier or later within the narrative. While the first two titles are fully revised works, Mosque remains mostly unchanged, beyond some minor text editing; with a few exceptions, such as the addition of towels for the bathing men, the illustrations are identical. Though most libraries won't want to discard their copies of Cathedral and Castle, the new color artwork and updated content give this three-books-in-one volume high value and strong appeal.—Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

School Library Journal

Significantly updating the Caldecott Honor–winning Castle (1977) and Cathedral (1973) with new text and full-color illustrations, this hefty volume combines them with a very lightly revised Mosque (2003) for a three-in-one architectural spree. No mere colorization of the black-and-white originals of the first two books (thank goodness!), the all-new, often breathtaking images have been drawn by hand and then digitally colored to harmonize, beautifully, with the look of Mosque. The sequencing of the building processes and, in the case of Cathedral, the timing have been adjusted to accord with recent archaeological discoveries, and the discussion of the creation of the stained-glass windows (complete with heavenly blues) in Cathedral is expanded. The author's signature humor is evident throughout. "[T]he plague was gone," from the original Cathedral, becomes, "the great plague wasn't even a twinkle in some poor flea's eye," and whimsical details such as a seasick passenger on the way to Wales and a carefully labeled "mistake" in the spread introducing Cathedral's tools ground the lofty endeavors comfortably in the human realm. Take a moment to mourn the originals, then celebrate this entirely worthy revision. (glossary) (Nonfiction. 8 & up)

Kirkus Reviews