History of Architecture. From Prehistoric Era to the 18th Century

Auguste Choisy (1841–1909) — French engineer, architectural historian, and building technologist. He devoted most of his life to studying and teaching architecture. Nikolay Silvestrovich Kurdyukov (1868–1924) — a Russian and Soviet architect, restorer, educator, translator, and public figure. One of the masters of Moscow Art Nouveau. Auguste Choisy's most famous and fundamental work is the two-volume "History of Architecture," published in 1899. The first Russian translation, made by architect N. S. Kurdyukov, appeared in 1910. For many years, this work served as one of the primary textbooks for architectural education. The complete edition in two volumes is a collection of studies on the history of architecture conducted throughout the 19th century by several prominent scholars, covering the period from the prehistoric era to the 18th century, including not only Western European architecture but also the architecture of the countries of the Near, Middle, and Far East. This book has enjoyed well-deserved popularity for decades among both professional architects and builders, as well as enthusiasts interested in architecture. It is characterized by exemplary clarity and precision in its presentation of the constructive aspects.