Ugly: The Aesthetics of Everything

I enjoyed this book as much, if not more than Bayley's original masterpiece, Taste. It's important to note that this book is not an attempt to define ugliness, but to examine our relationship with ugliness throughout history. It's a fantastically well designed book, featuring full page photographic plates illustrating Bayley's witty and insightful points. The epic shade throwing found in Taste is still here, but tempered a bit. Is Bayley mellowing in his old age? I do wish that the author had been a little more declarative about what he actually believes and who he agrees with, but that ambiguity didn't diminish the amount it made me think and examine our culture through his lens.

Each page is a mini dive into a question. Odd, different, cool, new, mind opening. I liked the odd nature and nonconventional style of this book. It's one of my favorites to look at culture and production.

I rather enjoyed this lively book, not least because it mentions I.H. 35, the highway that runs from Laredo, Texas to Duluth, Minnesota--and not entirely in an uncomplimentary fashion. The book has an attention-grabbing blend of old and new, with clever commentary.

Bought as a gift.. recipient was chuffed

This is a beautifully produced book which would be a great Christmas present for anyone who is interested in the physical aspects of our world. It is more than just a coffee table book. Bayley describes with many graphic examples how we actually need ugliness, in order to appreciate beauty. If the world comprised only perfectly proportioned objects, we would lack the juxtaposition required to make judgements.It is particularly relevant at the moment with the recent death of Oscar Niemeyer, the creator of Brazilia, contributing to the debate about whether you can build a successful city from scratch.

Really happy with the book

Interesting and well written book on a very broad topic. It gives the reader a nice and also humoristic historic view on the term "Ugly". Some chapters in the book seem a bit weak compared to the others. Overall a great read that makes you want to dig deeper into the world of ugliness.