The United States Capitol: Its Architecture and Decoration (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780393038316)

The U.S. Capitol, the building that houses the legislative branch of our government and a landmark that attracts 3-5 million visitors each year, has its origins in an architectural competition devised by George Washington. The winning design, submitted by William Thornton, combined "grandeur, simplicity, and convenience." Construction began in August 1793, but progress made during the following decade was less than satisfactory. English architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe was brought in by Thomas Jefferson in 1803 to oversee the work, which was finally completed under Charles Bulfinch in 1829. The U.S. Capitol is regarded by many as the finest example of classical architecture in America. This profusely illustrated book offers a detailed description of the building's exterior, its unsurpassed ornamentation, and the richness of its rooms. An illustrated glossary of architectural terms used and a section of brief biographies of persons associated with the Capitol are also provided as tools for the reader.

Author: Henry Hope Reed
ISBN-10: 0393038319
ISBN-13: 9780393038316
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Language: English
Published: 04/17/2005
Pages: 288
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 3.43lbs
Size: 11.78h x 9.40w x 0.93d

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 12/13/2004 pg. 60