Architecture of the Islamic World: Its History and Social Meaning

From mosques to markets, from citadels to cemeteries, this is a panoramic survey of the entire field of Islamic architecture, with contributions by leading experts in the field. Constantly relating the architecture to the social areas of religion, power structure, commerce and communal life, the authors provide a full and informative survey with its emphasis on function and meaning rather than on chronology and style. * Over 750 photographs * Drawings and plans * Building materials * Techniques and principles, of decoration described and explained * Comprehensive illustrated inventory of the key buildings of the Islamic world