Gaudi

At the time of his death in 1926, Antoni Gaudí was arguably the most famous architect in the world. He had created some of the greatest and most controversial masterpieces of modern architecture, which were as exotic as they were outrageous. But little is known about the shadowy figure behind the swirling, vivid buildings that inspired the Surrealists.

This masterful biography brings both man and architect powerfully to life against the changing backdrop of Barcelona and Catalonia. Gijs van Hensbergen leads us through the design and construction of Gaudí's most significant buildings -- revealing their innovation and complexity, and demonstrating the growing relevance of Gaudí's architecture today.

Gijs Van Hensbergen lectures in architecture and is the author of Art Deco and of the highly acclaimed travel book A Taste of Castille. He lives in Dorset, England.

"A terrifically stirring biography ...Mr. van Hensebergen animates ideas with narrative drive. Buildings are his characters."--New York Times
"Van Hensbergen ... has produced a soaring biography of his subject, meticulously researched, elegantly organized, fluidly, lucidly written."--Chicago Tribune
The author's virtues of balance and good taste are evident everywhere in this book...truly a landmark effort."--Publishers Weekly
"A significant contribution to the understanding of the great Catalan architect."--Commonweal
"Elegantly written, handsomely illustrated GAUDI ... [is] a memorable account of an original life."--Camden Courier-Post
"Vivid and engaging"--Booklist Review