Sticks and Stones

A Study of American Architecture and Civilization

By: Lewis Mumford

Narrated by: Joseph Tabler

An Available Audiobook

In Cooperation with Spoken Realms

STICKS AND STONES. A Study of American Architecture and Civilization by LEWIS MUMFORD. Boni and Liveright 1924.

Narrated by Joseph Tabler

Lewis Mumford (1895-1990) is an American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology, and literary critic. Particularly noted for his study of cities and urban architecture, he had a broad career as a writer. He made significant contributions to social philosophy, American literary and cultural history, and the history of technology. (Wikipedia)

Contents

CHAPTER

I. THE MEDIEVAL TRADITION

II. THE HERITAGE OF THE RENAISSANCE

III. CLASSICAL MYTH

IV. THE DIASPORA OF THE PIONEER

V. THE DEFEAT OF ROMANTICISM

VI. THE IMPERIAL FACADE

VII. THE AGE OF THE MACHINE

VIII. ARCHITECTURE AND CIVILIZATION

ENVOI

Audio cover picture—Lewis Mumford portrait (Wikipedia)

Available Audiobooks—The books I am proposing to read for you may have a few extraneous sounds and will be imperfectly read and produced. Hopefully, you will excuse any defects, as these old books are quite unlikely to become audiobooks otherwise and still have great value. Joseph Tabler. Aloha.

Audio copyright 2024 by Joseph Tabler.

Note—This book is 'read as written'. It was published in 1924. It is in the public domain.

Public Domain (P)2024 Joseph Tabler

Several sections repeated multiple times

I was first introduced to Mumford back in college, and while I don't have distinct memories of the book from that class, I do remember the professor fondly. So when I came across Sticks and Stones on Audible, I decided to give it a read.

This is a very dry and scholarly work, which I was mostly expecting. The content is interesting - especially to see how well it has aged over the past century - and it provided a lot of things to mull over and consider in a modern context. I think many people might not give a lot of thought to how architecture reflects our society and culture and the impact it can even have on things like sustainability and cost. In areas like these, I greatly enjoyed Sticks and Stones.

The main problem with the book is all about the recording - the narrator is very stilted and not easy to listen to. In addition, due to some error of editing, several sections are each repeated twice with no easy way to skip through them.

If you read the book instead of listen or find a different recording (avoid the Spoken Realms version read by Joseph Tabler), Sticks and Stones has some value to impart and will hopefully help you see architecture in a new light.