Pistols in St Paul's

'Smyth takes us on an extraordinary journey around the world to tell the story of how a group of determined individuals in the first half of the twentieth century created the science of acoustics, transforming our understanding of the relationship between architecture and music forever.'
James W. P. Campbell, Professor of Architecture and Construction History, University of Cambridge

'Fiona Smyth's energetic prose brings to life the gradual emergence of the science of acoustics in Britain between 1901 and 1951. In this pioneering and fascinating book, she combines an engaging sense of humour with absolute seriousness of purpose.'
Deborah Howard, Professor Emerita of Architectural History, University of Cambridge

'Expertly researched, Fiona Smyth's Pistols in St Paul's exudes authority. Exploring the development of the concept of "building as instrument", Smyth enhances our understanding of how past sonorous encounters have shaped today's built environment. Her book makes an important contribution to how we should think about the historical formation of the soundscapes of modernity.'
Edward Gillin, editor of Science and Sound in Nineteenth-Century Britain

'Fiona Smyth's history of architectural acoustics in modern Britain is a fascinating and vivid journey across the frontiers of scientific research, religious faith, musical expression - and, above all, architecture as a medium of experience and a form of thought. Captivating and deeply researched.'
Joseph L. Clarke, author of Echo's Chambers: Architecture and the Idea of Acoustic Space

'There is much to enjoy in this book. It is extensively researched and is full of contemporary architectural drawing, photographs and incomprehensible (to me) acoustic maps and data sheets, along with biographical details of the main actors.'
Barry Coidan, London Society

'Pistol's in St Paul's is a riveting history of the formation of acoustics as a serious field of science. I find it essential to the context of contemporary concert hall design. And to a casual tourist to architectural acoustics, it is an insightful museum guide.'
Nicole Kirch, SoundGirls.org

'It is humbling to read about the hard work of those who laid the foundations of modern auditorium acoustics science. This book would be a valuable addition to the library of acoustic specialists, but is also accessible to
a wider audience.'
Chris Middleton, Acoustics Bulletin (November/December 2024)