1 comments about The Rationale Divinorum Officiorum: The Foundational Symbolism of the Early Church, its Structure, Decoration, Sacraments, and Vestments.

1. With the recent increase in liturgical studies, one rejoices that important source material, such as Durandus' monumental opus, would be made available in English to those unable to work with the original Latin text. From the its title and pre-publication information, one would expect this particular volume to be a translation of the entire Rationale Divinorum Officiorum. Sadly this is not the case: it is merely a reprinting of earlier translations of Books I (J.M. Neale and B. Webb, The Symbolism of Churches and Church Ornaments), III (T.H. Passmore, The Sacred Vestments)and a recent translation of minimal parts of Book IV (R. Coomaraswamy, The Mass). Therefore this volume is a great disappointment, particularly as the chapters dealing with the Mass only go as far as the Blessing of the Incense after the Prayers at the foot of the Altar--essentially ending the dicussion before the Mass has really begun. On a positive note, the illustrations are helpful in adding a bit of colour to the text. One hopes that this taste of the Rationale will result in a cry for an illustrated edition of an English translation of the entire work.

3 comments about The Los Angeles Watts Towers (Conservation and Cultural Heritage).

1. This book was better than seeing hte Watts Towers in person. I saw more in the book than I did when I visited. Plus the photos were taken when the Towers were in better repair.



2. I am a distant relative of Sabato Rodia, and I'm always on the lookout for information about him and his beautiful towers. This book has some of the most beautiful pictures I've seen of the towers, as well as lots of fascinating information about the man and his work.

   This book actually has something for everyone. If you're interested in the history of Los Angeles, this book offers an interesting slice of that history. If you're interested in the immigrant experience in America, you'll get a lot of that. If you're interested in pottery, tilework, sculpture, or visual arts of any kind, bingo. If you're interested in engineering, there's a bit of that as well.

   I've always felt Sabato Rodia was a genius, but I couldn't put words to how or why. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of why the Watts Towers are so miraculous. The story of the Watts Towers is a story of immigrant determination and the American Dream. It's a story about the power of one person. It's a story about the strength of community. It's a story for everybody. Read it and be inspired.




3. The Watts Towers are one of America's great unique works of folk art/ architecture. The Goldstones' book documents their mysterious construction, the battle for their preservation, and provides many color photographs. But the disappointment is that the authors are unable to provide much insight into Simon Rodia, the enigmatic immigrant who built this mosaic monument in his backyard and then just walked away from them. The Watts Towers are visually glorious, but also speak to the artistic vision in "ordinary people" and the importance of obsession.

5 comments about Empire State Building: The Making of a Landmark.

1. Well, they didn't, but it's a classic anyway.
   
   This is a terrific book for anyone who wants to learn how great projects are visualized, actualized, and pressed through extremely challenging environmental circumstances. It's a source of inspiration for the dreamers and the practical alike.
   
   If you want to read about architecture and engineering, you get only a small dose here. It's more about the capitalization, visioning and building. But that story is magnetic and wonderful.
   
   Only thing they left out: that it was to this (then half-empty) building that Annhaeuser-Busch delivered the "first" case of legal beer to Al Smith at the end of Prohibition. Smith, the "wet" and the eternal optimist, exemplifies what this building was conceived to be: a vibrant and living testimony to the human spirit.
   
   So, it stands to reason that it survives now as New York's essential symbol.



2. This book is a must read for anyone interested in not only the Empire State Building, but in New York City history of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Who would think that a building completed in 1931 at 1250 feet high would still be the tallest building in NYC in 2007 (of course, we can't forget the tragic loss of the taller WTC Towers). This book covers the quick construction of the ESB, but also covers the politics and history behind the building's location (the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel used to be at the corner of 5th Ave and 34th Street) and the people involved. This is an interesting book about an exciting time where anything seemed possible in one of the world's greatest cities.



3. From the outset, the Empire State Building seemed to have had everything going against it. Although conceived during the 1920s boom years, most of the construction went on during the earliest years of the Depression, thereby putting the idea of high occupancy in the severest doubt. Its location wasn't ideal either. It was three miles north of the Wall Street district and a mile south of the center of the midtown business center. And it was ten blocks south of Grand Central Station and three avenues east of old Pennsylvania Station. The idea of mooring dirigibles was quickly scrapped after failed attempts. And sure enough, although the Empire State Building did get built, the tenants did not come. King Kong did, but he didn't pay rent.

   John Tauranac describes all this and more in his exhaustive book, THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING: THE MAKING OF A LANDMARK. Written in an engaging style, Tauranac's book is as elegant and interesting as the subject itself, while his wit is as colorful as the characters surrounding the Empire State Building's creation. The book covers the idea for the building, Raskob's and Smith's supervision, the monumental task of the construction workers, and, most importantly, the survival of the building to become THE emblem of America's cultural and economic reach while become THE identifying symbol of New York City. The generous amount of photographs add to the understanding and enjoyment of the book. Highly recommended.




4. This is an excellent work that details the history of the Empire State Building. I was a bit surprised to find how much the author managed to pack into my paperback. Everything from skyscraper height restrictions to land leases and modern restructuring of ownership for tax purposes (and all the "interesting" stuff in between). If you buy this book and you're not from New York, do yourself a favor and get a map of the area. So you can follow along in the early chapters.



5. I bought this book shortly after a trip to NYC in 2000, and found it to be an excellent history of one of the Big Apple's architectural jewels, the Empire State Building. It is full of intrigue, history, great anecdotes and one-of-a-kind photographs. If you're a visitor to Manhattan or a local resident, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

2 comments about Late Victorian Houses and Cottages: Floor Plans and Illustrations for 40 House Designs.

1. A good refurence on period homes. Each structure has a profile drawing, plans for two floors and is well described. Unfortunately it provides no images for attick which Victorians often used for bedrooms or funrooms as well as storage or basement which often contained house coal furnace and storage as well as other facilities.
   
   A good find for anyone interested in homes of this most interesting period. I just wish it were complete.



2. I actually purchased this book for use in a computer game. The Sims and Sims 2 games permit the building of houses and for me, this book filled the bill perfectly.
   
   To actually work from authentic floor plans used in the 19th Century and watch it come to life is an interesting hobby.
   
   Each home consists of a very good drawing of the house itself plus an excellent rendering of the floor plan. In those days, you browsed thru this book much the same as a Sears Catalog and picked out the home you wanted built. You then bought the floor plans which varied in price. Some floor plans cost as little as $25.00, others cost $150.00.
   
   There is a very good description of the house which consists of general dimensions, exterior materials, interior materials and accommodations such as heating by furnace or fireplace. In many cases, the house could be built for $3,000 or less.
   
   For the history buff it would be interesting time spent with this book. I recommend it for the detail in the floor plans alone. The drawings are superb.

No comments about HVAC Instant Answers.

3 comments about California Missions and Presidios.

1. Growing up in California, I received more than my quota of early California history. I was always impressed that the Spanish sought to establish missions to bring Jesus to the Native Americans as their primary activity in California.
   
   That idealistic impulse ended up badly in many cases. Diseases carried by Europeans wiped out over 95 percent of the Native Americans near some of the missions. When the missions were established too close to the presidios and towns, soldiers and civilian Spaniards sometimes victimized the Native Americans. Not knowing about California's arid conditions, many missions had to be relocated several times until enough fresh water was located. In other cases, the missions were located on active earthquake faults and were shaken to the ground repeatedly. Fire wiped out some other missions.
   
   Later, after Mexico won its independence, the missions were sold off for civilian use. Only after California became part of the United States did ownership revert to the church.
   
   By then, there wasn't much left of the original mission buildings and contents. But dedicated Californians have labored long and faithfully to restore these missions, presidios, and forts to a good simulation of the original. It is those restorations and recreations that those who love California's missions have admired.
   
   I remember as a youngster wanting to visit every single mission and to follow the route of Father Serra and those who succeeded him in the process. I haven't yet gotten around to fulfilling that desire. Naturally, I was delighted to find this book that allowed me to at least "see" the inside and out of each location on El Camino Real (the King's Highway along the coast of California).
   
   Each site is wonderfully illustrated with many indoor and outdoor photographs. An extensive essay also describes the founding and subsequent history of each site through to today. Unlike some historical books that gloss over the problems, this one is quite candid. It gives you all the more reason to admire the fathers and neophytes who labored so hard to establish these Godly outposts.
   
   Vaya con Dios!



2. Of all the attempts to capture the beauty and rich history of the California Missions, only Leffingwell has succeeded. Over the past 15 years I have visited many of the missions and I always look for a book in the gift shops that shows the wonderful architecture and gardens of the missions, and gives an honest synopsis of the Alta California story. Until now I have found some great historical texts, but none with images worthy of the subject matter. This book has both. It is a coffee table must-have for anyone interested in California history.



3. Any interested in the history of missions in general and California's historic missions in particular will find this a lush guide which offers insights into the architecture and spiritual foundations of over twenty missions. These vary from small churches to elegant missions: the construction of each was influenced by local social and political as well as spiritual interests. California Missions And Presidios could have been featured in our Arts or Local History section but also deserves note by any interested in church history and creation.

1 comments about Fantastic Filling Stations (Enthusiast Color Series).

1. Although this coffee table book has photos, it is the short stories about the abandoned gas stations that make the book worthwhile.

5 comments about Construction Principles, Materials, and Methods.

1. This book is an excellent resource for those entering the Architecture profession. It is exhaustive and has information I couldn't find easily elsewhere.



2. This book is a great desk reference for any materials needed in construction. I am a student and find myself going back to this book semester after semester. Great Book.



3. It is certainly THE BIBLE for construction. Boy, I sweated it! But, if you can get through it, it is certainly worth the efford.



4. As the other reviews stated this book is in depth. If you are a building professional than you should already know the fundementals and require a reference that is the basis of your field. This book is too exausting for school, but as soon as you move to the office you should use it as the starting point for your details, CD's and specs. I used this book to study for the ARE and it has also come in handy when questions arise on the construction site with contractors. I have always felt that, as Architects, we have enough books all about subjects that we hire consultants for ie. Structures, MEP but we are the ones who need to be the experts about our handicraft: Construction.



5. Certainly THE bible in the construction industry. The problem is the depth to which this book delves in discussing rather dry, mundane topics. I guess if someone needs to know just about anything in construction, it's here, but be forewarned that there is an IMMENSE amount of information that must be waded through in order to find a specific piece of information. Often used as a textbook in Constructing 101 since it is so exhaustive in its scope (we spent an entire semester on only 1 chapter!). Also makes good reading for insomniacs.

5 comments about Great Fortune: The Epic of Rockefeller Center.

1. Although a slow read, this book is well worth having in your history collection. It fills in those annoying gaps in your knowledge of the era and could possibly change your mindset on the Rockefellers per se.



2. Okrent has done a wonderful job in this single -volume history of 20th century architecture. The Center itself is the culmination of a project comparable to the pyramids. Of special interest is the early chapter on the character of the properties prior to Rockefeller's acquisition. Speakeasies and brothels seem to have been the chief occupants of these by by-now hallowed lands. It must have been something. We forget how jsut how great John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was. His accomplishments are so numerous. Incredibly, this is but one of his extraordinary projects. The Center continues, after all, to be THE model for city planning. It is one of the few real plazas in the entire country, where people actually choose to congregate. (Think of LA's awful Century City, where the police pick you up for getting out of your car.) Rockefeller Center continues to be beautiful and unique. From the first chapters that cover the acquisition of properties belonging to a wonderful assortment of eccentric New Yorkers through the lengthy middle chapters on the design and construction of the complex, Okrent's book is filled with personal anecdotes worthy of Chaucer to help dramatize what might otherwise be a dry narrative. It is a story of human egos, failures, triumphs, tragic human destruction, and glory. Again, as in David Rockefeller's "Memoirs," we learn much about the family itself. As always, Nelson comes off as a bully, so unlike his father and siblings. The story of Radio City Music Hall is terribly interesting, especially for those interested in show biz. The biography of a building would not seem the proper lens through which to tell the history of an era, but Okrent's treatment succeeds. The Center is a success story, after all, an enlightening story, finally, about wealth leading to greatness. It doesn't happen often.



3. It was a long read for me, just a little to much information in my opionion. Overall a good book, but wasnt as interesting as I was hopeing it would be.



4. I stumbled across this book after my father in law died. What a gem of a book - so well written, extensively researched and compelling. The book is a dense integration of New York City History, Politics, Architecture, Real Estate and the Rockefeller family's influence on the built environment.
   
   Each chapter is almost a novel unto itself. The author accurately conveys the architectural rivalry and the forced cooperation of the Associated Architects led by Raymond Hood to collectively design this complex. The Rockefeller Center Project was built during the Depression, when there was no other construction, except for the Empire State Building.
   
   So many forward looking urban design concepts were incorporated into the Master Plan of the complex. The story of how the building designs were tailored to match the major Tenant's needs is also fascinating. Also, the decision to include the work of a variety of contemporary artists keeps this complex distinctive to this day.
   
   The information about New York City was enlightening, even though I've lived and worked as an architect in New York City for many years. The biographical sketches and in depth portraits of the hundreds of people involved in assembling, designing, building and leasing the site is amazing in its depth and breadth.
   
   This book is a slow read because of the shear volume of information covered by this fact filled book. A great read for anyone who is fascinated by New York City and its architecture and social history - an excellent book.



5. This lively narrative history is full of fascinating characters and stories. The humbly powerful John D., Jr. (who financed it), the Victorian president of Columbia (who leased the land), Nelson Rockefeller (who took over command of it), and the extraordinary team of builders and architects who designed and built it--they and many others truly come to life. How do you build a vast commercial center in the depths of the Depression? How do you rent out the space? How does it become more than a collection of office buildings and turn in one of the world's great tourist attractions, and a symbol of NYC as the world's modern commercial capital? Okrent tells us with wit, with sympathy and admiration, but without sparing some of the gory details. A great choice for anyone who enjoys reading about business enterprise, architecture and design , the Rockefellers--or about the central character in the tale, the city of New York.

4 comments about Malibu: A Century of Living by the Sea.

1. I thought that the book was "outstanding" Particulary liked the history part and the progression of Malibu over the years.



2. Despite reading the "Nice, but not Nice Enough" comment by one reviewer, I purchased this book and considered it for myself. I'm so glad I did. The reviewer misses the point. It's an architecture-oriented lifestyle book about the history of living in Malibu, not a technical book. Which explains why there are no floorplans. It's about the photos that take you thru each decade and each house, and they are gorgeous. The introductory text/concise house-specific texts are well-written and informative. The featured houses are mostly private, which explains why no addresses are provided. The 2 or 3 houses in the book that are open to the public are well known in this area, easily findable for those who have a yellow pages.



3. The photography was excellent and commentary was okay. Very few detail images, no floor plans and few, if any, construction details. I'm interested in the details and how to replicate features or at least the materials used....but nothing in this book to help much. There was absolutely no street addresses of the houses mentioned, other architect books do---why not here??? The author did manage to keep very good track of the years of birth and death of the people involved.



4. I got my copy today... and roared through the pages and images... Beautiful and fascinating images of Malibu's past... Paradise Cove in 1890, the Malibu Ranch, The Adamson House. So many interesting stories and images... and lives! And... some great surf shots too. This is a perfect blend of the many lifestyles here in Malibu... all in one book. Educational and informative and with some good humor too. I know what I'm giving for Christmas presents now!