Pay in installments of $6.59 with
,
and
Shipping Estimate
USA
- USA
- CAN
- USA
- CAN
Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Oct 1 - Oct 6
Promo Codes Available:
For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15
Description
Perspective as Symbolic FormErwin Panofsky's Perspective as Symbolic Form is one of the great works of modern intellectual history, the legendary text that has dominated all art historical and philosophical discussions on the topic of perspective in this century. Finally available in English, this unrivaled example of Panofsky's early method places him within broader developments in theories of knowledge and cultural change. Here, drawing on a massive body of learning that
Erwin Panofsky's Perspective as Symbolic Form is one of the great works of modern intellectual history, the legendary text that has dominated all art-historical and philosophical discussions on the topic of perspective in this century. Finally available in English, this unrivaled example of Panofsky's early method places him within broader developments in theories of knowledge and cultural change.
Here, drawing on a massive body of learning that ranges over ancient philosophy, theology, science, and optics as well as the history of art, Panofsky produces a type of "archaeology" of Western representation that far surpasses the usual scope of art historical studies. Perspective in Panofsky's hands becomes a central component of a Western "will to form," the expression of a schema linking the social, cognitive, psychological, and especially technical practices of a given culture into harmonious and integrated wholes. He demonstrates how the perceptual schema of each historical culture or epoch is unique and how each gives rise to a different but equally full vision of the world. Panofsky articulates these distinct spatial systems, explicating their particular coherence and compatibility with the modes of knowledge, belief, and exchange that characterized the cultures in which they arose. Our own modernity, Panofsky shows, is inseparable from its peculiarly mathematical expression of the concept of the infinite, within a space that is both continuous and homogenous.-- "Artforum"Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Zone Books
Published: 01/31/1997
ISBN: 9780942299533
Pages: 200
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.70d
Shipping Notes
- Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
- Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
- Delivery to the USA:
- Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
- If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
- We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
- Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
- To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
- Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 7 reviews
Sort
Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Engaging Read for Beginners and Techies Alike
Format: Paperback
An engaging and accessible exploration of how computers really work. The author breaks down complex concepts into simple, relatable explanations, making topics like binary, logic gates, and basic circuits far less intimidating. For newcomers, it’s a great way to build a foundational understanding of computer theory with just a touch of electrical engineering.
As someone with a technical background, I still found it entertaining; the examples and analogies added fresh ways to frame ideas I already knew. It’s the kind of book that can bridge the gap between “I use computers” and “I understand what’s happening under the hood.”
Highly recommended for anyone curious about what makes hardware and software tick, whether you’re starting from scratch or just want a new perspective.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2025
★★★★★ 5
CODE is the book you should get.
Format: Paperback
The best book to enter the field. Grateful that Charles Petzold decided to write it, even happier this was one of the first books I picked up.
Recommend to everyone wanting to become a programmer, or just interested in computers.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2026
★★★★★ 5
If you only buy one technical computer book, this is it
Format: Paperback
Disclaimer: I owned the first edition for years and read it a dozen times, mainly for pleasure since it’s not only informative but also just enjoyable to read. I’m a professional software architect and have dozens of textbooks on computer science and engineering so I’ve been around the block.
This is the kind of book I would buy all for all my friends (if I had more than a couple) and family members (if they were even slightly into computers, which they aren’t sadly). Petzold does an exceptional job at describing digital logic and guides you through building a conceptual CPU from very first principles.
I think his bottom up approach is the way to go and has helped me understand complex topics in an extremely simple way. When I’m not reading fiction, this is my go to bedtime reading.
The second edition has about 100 more pages than the first and some content has been completely reworked and it’s great.
If you ever had even a passing interest in knowing how computers work at a very fundamental level, get this book!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
★★★★★ 4
First programmer?
Format: Paperback
As an ardent reader of the past 1st edition, I was fairly excited to get the latest version. That is, until I encountered the history chapter of the new edition.
For one thing, what I do NOT understand in this second edition is the newly added description of August Ada Byron (countless of Lovelace). The author claims it was Babbage who was the first programmer to design the engines, not Ada. I am not trying to start a futile argument here about who has more or fewer contributions, etc.
What I am trying to assert here is that it is undisputed that Ada (unless the new evidence arises) left *the very first demonstration* of what this seemingly imaginary machine, which didn't even physically exist, was capable of through her program. Because Babbage designed the engine itself, that doesn't automatically put him in the position of a programmer (despite Babbage being a brilliant engineer/scientist and may have had a simple or detailed program in his mind). However, it was Ada who gave a definite touch to programming concepts that ultimately led to modern-day programming. Ada deserves more recognition than a mere "tutorial writer," and she is certainly entitled to the title she deserves.
Other than that, like the previous edition, this book is a must-read for people who are from related/unrelated fields. I always loved the 1st edition, and I would do too with the 2nd. Still, I think history should always be approached with more care, particularly if matters have potential controversies.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2023
★★★★★ 5
One of the few books worth your time
Format: Paperback
If you want to learn computers, start here. Learning from a historical perspective removes complexity of trying to start with say GPUs - you learn just like computer engineers did, incrementally.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2026