THE WORD “opinionated” is an effective antidotal adjective in the title of this pocket-sized and elegant book. It deflects criticism from malcontents like myself who might bemoan some of the choices as much as the omissions.

[[{"fid":"17443","view_mode":"inlineright","fields":{"format":"inlineright","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"inlineright","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-inlineright","data-delta":"1"}}]]Social housing represents four out of a total of 54 illustrations, and that’s decent enough, but the selection is of well-known regulars on the circuit — the Brunswick Centre, the Barbican Estate, the Isokon Flats and the Trellick Tower.

There's no trace of the superb but lesser-known Branch Hill Estate, Highgate New Town, Bevin Court — originally called Lenin Court — with its spectacular staircase, or even the now privatised Keeling House.