Hans Buchwald, University of Stuttgart, Germany

'...a refreshing and valuable approach...refreshing, because more and more often art historians are dispensing with the study of objects. Buchwald's formal observations demonstrate, however, the potential value of such inquiry. His formal analysis of Constantinian basilicas is a brilliant example of his subtle and nuanced reading of the architecture... The essays do indeed provide a worthwhile perspective on aesthetics, and I recommend them to all medieval architecture historians... Books like these help us to be constructively self-conscious.' Aurora

• Contents: Part one: Individual Buildings: Saint Sophia, turning point in the development of Byzantine architecture?; The church of St John the Theologian in Alaehir (Philadelphia); Sardis Church E - a preliminary report; Part two: Architectural Forms in Asia Minor: Notes on the design of aisled basilicas in Asia Minor; Western Asia Minor as a generator of architectural forms in the Byzantine period, provincial back-wash or dynamic centre of production?; Lascarid architecture; Part three: Questions of Style and meaning: The concept of style in Byzantine architecture; Retrofit-hallmark of Byzantine architecture?; The first Byzantine architectural style: evolution or revolution?; Criteria for the evaluation of transitional Byzantine architecture; The geometry of Middle Byzantine Churches and some possible implications; Index.

Hans Buchwald, University of Stuttgart, Germany

'...a refreshing and valuable approach...refreshing, because more and more often art historians are dispensing with the study of objects. Buchwald's formal observations demonstrate, however, the potential value of such inquiry. His formal analysis of Constantinian basilicas is a brilliant example of his subtle and nuanced reading of the architecture... The essays do indeed provide a worthwhile perspective on aesthetics, and I recommend them to all medieval architecture historians... Books like these help us to be constructively self-conscious.' Aurora

• Contents: Part one: Individual Buildings: Saint Sophia, turning point in the development of Byzantine architecture?; The church of St John the Theologian in Alaehir (Philadelphia); Sardis Church E - a preliminary report; Part two: Architectural Forms in Asia Minor: Notes on the design of aisled basilicas in Asia Minor; Western Asia Minor as a generator of architectural forms in the Byzantine period, provincial back-wash or dynamic centre of production?; Lascarid architecture; Part three: Questions of Style and meaning: The concept of style in Byzantine architecture; Retrofit-hallmark of Byzantine architecture?; The first Byzantine architectural style: evolution or revolution?; Criteria for the evaluation of transitional Byzantine architecture; The geometry of Middle Byzantine Churches and some possible implications; Index.