---
product_id: 24242980
title: "The Alhambra (Wonders of the World)"
price: "1565132₫"
currency: VND
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reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.vn/products/24242980-the-alhambra-wonders-of-the-world
store_origin: VN
region: Vietnam
---

# The Alhambra (Wonders of the World)

**Price:** 1565132₫
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## Description

The Alhambra (Wonders of the World) [Irwin, Robert] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Alhambra (Wonders of the World)

Review: In Xanadu Once Did Kubla Khan.... - "In Xanadu once did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure dome decree Where Alph, the sacred river ran Down caverns measureless to man...." Coleridge did not, as far as I know, see the Alhambra, this amazing city on top of a cliff above the rivers in lovely Granada. And as it was in his time, writes historian Robert Irwin in "The Alhambra," a mighty imagination would have been needed to see a pleasure dome in the ruins. Yet it is Coleridge whose poem may sing to those wandering in the gardens of the now-restored palace. Irwin's fine, scholarly study of the Alhambra lacks such wings of imagination, yet gives much depth for readers fascinated by the Alhambra & the palace of the Nasrids. The book is mostly about the palace, the complex of buildings which include the Lion Fountain, the Court of the Ambassadors, and interwoven, green treasures of water gardens. The Alhambra is itself much larger, a city only partly restored, covering the mountain top with fortresses,prisons, baths, chapels, residences, shops, two hotels, and the splendid garden called Generalife. To many however, "Alhambra" means the Nasrid Palace so the title is not misleading. The book begins, as a good travel book should, with an excellent schematic laying out the palace from the entrance (today) at the First Court, through the Court of Machuca, the Court of the Myrtles, to the Gardens and Hall of the Kings, 22 major areas. The four chapters tell the architectural history of this palace, not only who built, who tore down, who replaced, who restored the place, almost wall by wall, but also the political & social history of each of the changes. It is a story as intricate as the beautiful calligraphy and tilework adorning almost every inch of space, but often sadder and darker. Irwin's theme is clear: " Though the Alhambra is easy to enjoy, it is difficult to understand. The more closely one studies the functions and iconography of its various parts and tries to establish how the place was inhabited, the more mysterious the buildings and their inhabitants seem. There are limits to what the historian and archeologist can retrieve." Undaunted, Irwin plunges into history and archeology, vigorously whacking away at currently unproven but popular assertions, diving into the tile designs & what they tell us of construction sequences, and giving the detailed architectural geneology of each major space. The style is scholarly, the text rather a wall-of-words with here and there black & white photos & drawings, with enough information to nourish even a quite hungry reader. The book physically is small & light enough to carry. Reader Alert: The gardens of the Alhambra, admittedly mostly reconstructred as to plantings, are part of its glory & were probably integral to the palace itself. They are mentioned only briefly, and little is said about the views from the many windows & arcades that are integral to the experience of this magnificent place. This would not be the best book for readers interested in the gardens internal or external to the Palace of the Nasrids. Also, this is in no way Brys*n sees the Alhambra. Irwin has a thoughtful rather than a spritely pen. Washington Irving's classic book on the Alhambra would be a good companion here, even after more than a 100 years. Irwin's "The Alhambra" is a wonderful book on its own terms but it is not all things to all readers. Recommended highly to read before, during, and particularly after immersion in the Alhambra itself or for those interested in the history & architectural treasures of the Moors in Spain. PS Really really really if possible, as Irwin and most guidebooks emphasize, reserve tickets well in advance for the earliest entry to the Palace!
Review: Four Stars - Nice little book, arrived right on time.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN  | 0674060334 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,358,684 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #353 in Landscape Architecture (Books) #656 in Architectural History #16,702 in European History (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars (105) |
| Dimensions  | 4.5 x 0.6 x 7.25 inches |
| ISBN-10  | 9780674060333 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0674060333 |
| Item Weight  | 8 ounces |
| Language  | English |
| Part of series  | Wonders of the World |
| Print length  | 224 pages |
| Publication date  | May 31, 2011 |
| Publisher  | Harvard University Press |

## Images

![The Alhambra (Wonders of the World) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61YRSnaJqwL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ In Xanadu Once Did Kubla Khan....
*by O***L on October 1, 2013*

"In Xanadu once did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure dome decree Where Alph, the sacred river ran Down caverns measureless to man...." Coleridge did not, as far as I know, see the Alhambra, this amazing city on top of a cliff above the rivers in lovely Granada. And as it was in his time, writes historian Robert Irwin in "The Alhambra," a mighty imagination would have been needed to see a pleasure dome in the ruins. Yet it is Coleridge whose poem may sing to those wandering in the gardens of the now-restored palace. Irwin's fine, scholarly study of the Alhambra lacks such wings of imagination, yet gives much depth for readers fascinated by the Alhambra & the palace of the Nasrids. The book is mostly about the palace, the complex of buildings which include the Lion Fountain, the Court of the Ambassadors, and interwoven, green treasures of water gardens. The Alhambra is itself much larger, a city only partly restored, covering the mountain top with fortresses,prisons, baths, chapels, residences, shops, two hotels, and the splendid garden called Generalife. To many however, "Alhambra" means the Nasrid Palace so the title is not misleading. The book begins, as a good travel book should, with an excellent schematic laying out the palace from the entrance (today) at the First Court, through the Court of Machuca, the Court of the Myrtles, to the Gardens and Hall of the Kings, 22 major areas. The four chapters tell the architectural history of this palace, not only who built, who tore down, who replaced, who restored the place, almost wall by wall, but also the political & social history of each of the changes. It is a story as intricate as the beautiful calligraphy and tilework adorning almost every inch of space, but often sadder and darker. Irwin's theme is clear: " Though the Alhambra is easy to enjoy, it is difficult to understand. The more closely one studies the functions and iconography of its various parts and tries to establish how the place was inhabited, the more mysterious the buildings and their inhabitants seem. There are limits to what the historian and archeologist can retrieve." Undaunted, Irwin plunges into history and archeology, vigorously whacking away at currently unproven but popular assertions, diving into the tile designs & what they tell us of construction sequences, and giving the detailed architectural geneology of each major space. The style is scholarly, the text rather a wall-of-words with here and there black & white photos & drawings, with enough information to nourish even a quite hungry reader. The book physically is small & light enough to carry. Reader Alert: The gardens of the Alhambra, admittedly mostly reconstructred as to plantings, are part of its glory & were probably integral to the palace itself. They are mentioned only briefly, and little is said about the views from the many windows & arcades that are integral to the experience of this magnificent place. This would not be the best book for readers interested in the gardens internal or external to the Palace of the Nasrids. Also, this is in no way Brys*n sees the Alhambra. Irwin has a thoughtful rather than a spritely pen. Washington Irving's classic book on the Alhambra would be a good companion here, even after more than a 100 years. Irwin's "The Alhambra" is a wonderful book on its own terms but it is not all things to all readers. Recommended highly to read before, during, and particularly after immersion in the Alhambra itself or for those interested in the history & architectural treasures of the Moors in Spain. PS Really really really if possible, as Irwin and most guidebooks emphasize, reserve tickets well in advance for the earliest entry to the Palace!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Four Stars
*by H***N on March 11, 2017*

Nice little book, arrived right on time.

### ⭐⭐⭐ A dense difficult read
*by P***R on September 25, 2025*

The main question about this book is who in the world is the intended audience? It certainly isn't the casual tourist. Perhaps the architecture archaeologist, or the serious, and I mean SERIOUS student of the Alhambra complex who has no need of pictures, illustrations, or diagrams to aid their minds because this book will provide precious few. The book is well written and is rich with historic detail and its rhetorical message seems to be that nothing you see today is original. It describes wonderful rooms and towers and gardens and assures us that they no longer exist. I finally gave up when he started detailing the mathematical significance of the decorations. Even though it is short, this book is not for the faint of heart or mind. I guess I am both.

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*Product available on Desertcart Vietnam*
*Store origin: VN*
*Last updated: 2026-03-22*