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John C. McEnroe
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Architecture of Minoan Crete: Constructing Identity in the Aegean Bronze Age Kindle Edition

by John C. McEnroe (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 21 ratings
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A comprehensive, scholarly, engaging look at the meanings behind key architectural designs of ancient Minoan culture.
 
Ever since Sir Arthur Evans first excavated at the site of the Palace at Knossos in the early twentieth century, scholars and visitors have been drawn to the architecture of Bronze Age Crete. Much of the attraction comes from the geographical and historical uniqueness of the island. Equidistant from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Minoan Crete is on the shifting conceptual border between East and West, and chronologically suspended between history and prehistory. In this culturally dynamic context, architecture provided more than physical shelter; it embodied meaning. Architecture was a medium through which Minoans constructed their notions of social, ethnic, and historical identity: the buildings tell us about how the Minoans saw themselves, and how they wanted to be seen by others.

Architecture of Minoan Crete is the first comprehensive study of the entire range of Minoan architecture—including houses, palaces, tombs, and cities—from 7000 BC to 1100 BC. John C. McEnroe synthesizes the vast literature on Minoan Crete, with particular emphasis on the important discoveries of the past twenty years, to provide an up-to-date account of Minoan architecture. His accessible writing style, skillful architectural drawings of houses and palaces, site maps, and color photographs make this book inviting for general readers and visitors to Crete, as well as scholars.

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  1. Print length
    523 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    University of Texas Press
  5. Publication date
    May 1, 2010
  6. File size
    27725 KB
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John C. McEnroe is the John and Anne Fischer Professor of Fine Arts at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and a member of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens. He has worked in Crete for many years as a field archaeologist and excavation architect. His recent publications include Critical Perspectives in Art History (co-edited with Deborah Pokinski) and Pseira V: The Architecture of Pseira.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00992BVLC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Texas Press (May 1, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 1, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 27725 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 523 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

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John C. McEnroe

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
21 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

David M. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2011
Verified Purchase
This book is an excellent introduction to the topic, and may in fact be most accessible scholarly book on Minoan Crete to appear in recent years. It very clearly lays out the evidence and major questions surrounding Minoan architecture, and is clearly informed by the most recent scholarship. The author writes well, avoids unnecessary jargon, and his theorizing (largely via the idea of "identity") informs the discussion rather than just complicating things. The book is elegantly produced, with an attractive layout and many fine line drawings (though the photographs aren't stunning: if you want a picture book this wouldn't be your first choice). This is the place to go if you're aiming to bone up a bit on this aspect of the ancient world (as I was, as a classicist more expert in later periods), or even if you are just someone fascinated by the Minoans after a visit, or armchair visit, to the amazing and mysterious sites on Crete.
24 people found this helpful
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Gunar Zagars
5.0 out of 5 stars Minoan Crete
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2010
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Despite the perhaps intimidating title this is a truly remarkable book. For an arm-chair archaeologist interested in Minoan civilization this is almost a rivetting book. The text is surprisingly lively, highly informative and complemented with outstanding illustrations and plans of virtually all major sites in Minoan Crete. Anyone planning to visit Crete for more than just a beach holiday should consider this as truly essential reading. It is substantially better than the next best summary of the Minoans for the layman by J. Lesley Fritton.
27 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars very interesting...
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2013
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A very interesting book with many details about the Minoan architecture. I would recommend it to readers who are willing to learn a bit more about the style, the influense , the material used and the development of the Minoan houses the villas and the Palaces.
4 people found this helpful
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Chris B
5.0 out of 5 stars Bought this for my student daughter
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2013
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My daughter is specializing in architectural history of this period and was strongly desiring this particular book. I'm certain she found it to be very helpful and it will be a highly treasured part of her library as she pursues her graduate degree in this field.
3 people found this helpful
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John B
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceeded my expectations - good detail provided in construction methods and Minoan
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2017
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Exceeded my expectations - good detail provided in construction methods and Minoan thinking
One person found this helpful
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Heller Barr
5.0 out of 5 stars For the Architect
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2017
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Excellent book, primarily on the architecture practices of Minoan Crete. Well packaged and prompt delivery.
One person found this helpful
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Christopher T Long
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2018
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Very informative!
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Top reviews from other countries

Peter
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book and easy read highlighting the complex layers of ancient Cretan history
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2024
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Exposing the complex history of ancient Crete and showing the different phases of occupation. Loved the journey J.C. McEnroe took bringing decades of meticulous exploration to light.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Exploring Minoan mysteries
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2016
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This is an excellent book for those of us who want more information than the local tourist books offer. Crete's archaeology is fascinating and mysterious. What exactly was the purpose of the Minoan Palaces? If they were strongholds for local nobles, why did they not battle against each other till only one was left? Were they monasteries for an early religion? Or factories to make massive pots and fill them with wine or olive oil? And what was the purpose of the huge storage silos, or the 'Lustral Basins'. And how did the architecture develop over 500 years around 4,000 years ago - how did it start, how did it end?

This book cannot give all the answers, because the experts are still puzzling over it, but it allows the amateur armchair detective to join in.
8 people found this helpful
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Ernie
4.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing new thinking about the Minoan culture
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2018
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With the current dearth of serious up to date books on the Minoans, the information and ideas here touched on the ongoing research and analysis which is radically revising the Arthur Evans scenario - still peddled by the tour guides. I docked a star - probably unfairly - because the author's self-imposed limits left me wanting more.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Architecture of Minoan Crete
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 9, 2018
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In depth analysis about the Minoans, the palaces and the settlements.
One person found this helpful
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