Deyan Sudjic

An exploration of the intimate and inextricable relationship between architecture, power, money and politics in the twentieth century. How and why have presidents, prime ministers, mayors, millionaires and bishops come to share such a fascination with architecture? From Blair to Mitterrand, from Hitler to Stalin to Saddam Hussein, architecture has become an end in itself, as well as a means to an end. This is a book of genuine timeliness, throwing new light on the aspirations and the motivations of the rich and powerful across the world - and on the political nature of contemporary culture.

How the Rich and Powerful Shape the World

The Edifice Complex

3.5☆

let me begin by saying that this was a very interesting, at moments even riveting, read.

personally, i have always been intrigued in the role architecture has played and continues to play in the image of states, cities, and statesmen. in that regard, it was incredibly useful to read about all the anecdotes and factual findings described in the book. though it read at times as a gossip column, i believe that the examples examined served well to explore the different roles of architecture in the historic megalomaniac race of the rich and powerful.

that being said, i wish the book had been a bit more balanced between relaying events and an esseyistic theory and contemplation. i felt like the book itself never quite expands on the conclusions it draws from the events it explores; i feel i would have liked to see a little more meditation on the questions posed within it.

The Edifice Complex How the Rich and Powerful Shape the World