5 comments about American Drive-in Movie Theater (Motorbooks Classic).

1. I found the history of the drive-in very interesting in this publication. It would make a great gift for any friend or family member interested in this type of history.



2. Although the drive-in theater didn't start in Hawaii, it may be that the outdoor movie did.
   In "The American Drive-in Movie Theatre," Texas drive-in buffs Don and Susan Sanders have a photograph of a sizable crowd watching films projected against the outside wall of a building next to Sacred Hearts Convent School in Honolulu in 1906 -- about a year after the silent movie came to America.
   It took a surprisingly long time to marry the outdoor movie and the automobile. In 1933, Richard Hollingshead Jr., the "father of the drive-in theater," opened the Camden Drive-In in New Jersey.
   Although cars and movies seem as natural a combination as milk and cookies, it wasn't so easy for the pioneers. The Sanderses say the studios never liked "ozoners" and refused to make first-run, or even good second-run, films available.
   And getting sound to the customers was a problem that took years to solve. When the problem eventually was put in the hands of a professional engineer, at RCA in 1941, a workable solution was simple.
   But drive-in entrepreneurs were not engineers, nor were they the kind of people who turned to engineers for help.
   They tinkered. The results were weird and wonderful -- and likely to annoy the neighbors. One solution was a giant speaker that broadcast the sound over the lot, and much farther.
   Cold nights cut into business, too, but every problem was an opportunity to the drive-in operator: In Anchorage, the Billiken Drive-In offered 18-hour, seven-feature admissions in the wintertime.
   The 1945-55 decade was the peak for drive-ins. The nation had more than 5,000 of them, though they never caught on much overseas.
   From 1955 on, the Sanderses say, television and other changes started to suck the family trade away, leaving the field to teen-agers and Samuel Z. Arkoff's American International Pictures for another half decade or so.
   Since then, drive-ins have steadily declined. There are about 500 left, mostly in rural areas. They require too much land to be affordable in cities.
   Some individual theaters are doing well, and drive-in societies seek to preserve and protect them.
   The Sanderses have traveled to more than 40 states to interview drive-in people and take pictures, and they have ransacked archives for illustrations.
   They came up with enough material not only for this charming bit of nostalgia, but for another volume, "Drive-In Movie Memories."



3. Being a huge fan of drive-ins, I really looked forward to reading this book. The only criticism I have is the sequence of the actual chapter text of the book, and the information inserts that the author has throughout. It is very "chopped" up. Reading the chapter, then turning the page to find there is information pertaining to something else on the next page. The chapter text starts a couple of pages later in some cases, breaking up the continuity. Other than this, it makes for a very interesting read for those who enjoy nostalgia and want to be transported back to a more simpler and fun time.



4. The best book of its kind, bar none. Photos are excellent, and it is obvious that the authors really know and love their subject. Anyone who has ever spent an evening at the drive-in would love the memories this book evokes. Anyone who never had the opportunity to participate in the golden age of drive-in movies can experience it vicariously through The American Drive-In Movie Theatre. I've given several copies as gifts -- Everyone loves a Drive-In !



5. Don and Susan Sanders have captured the essence of the drive-in movie theatre and packed all of the magic into a really great book. I flipped hamburgers at the now defunct Belknap Drive-in when I was in high school and turning the pages of this time-machine brought back many memories. Forget about multiplex cinemas and theater complexes at the mall. The American Drive-In movie theatre lives!

No comments about Visionary Architecture: Blueprints of the Modern Imagination.

2 comments about The Designer's Atlas of Sustainability: Charting the Conceptual Landscape through Economy, Ecology, and Culture.

1. Issues of sustainability are key to many different kinds of designers, from architects to graphic designers - and this title is designed to cross genres to appeal not only to designers but to the consumers using their services. Chapters provide a fine introduction to blending sustainability concerns throughout the design process: college-level collections in design as well as general-interest libraries catering to consumers need Designer's Atlas of Sustainability, a key to public policies, consumer needs, and basic sustainability issues.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. There are many books now on sustainability with most being page-after-page of lengthy, often-dry academic dissertation. Some of these books will not likely appeal to the design professional who demands more visual inspiration and smart, graphic layout in a book. Well, this book meets those needs and is a fine contribution to the topic.
   
   This book is not a "how-to" book with lists or formulas for making products more sustainable in their design and use. Rather, it explores the many dimensions of sustainability (ecological, social, economic) and lets the reader glean inspiration for core concepts and many brief but interesting examples.
   
   Ms. Thorpe approaches the problems of unsustainable industrialization with a keen perceptivity that intices the reader to think broadly and creatively about the world we live in and how to reimage it. In addition to traditional design priorities of function, form and cost, Ann Thorpe illustrates how all effective designs must now go through the additional "lens" of sustainability thinking to anticipate its impact now and though the product's life.
   
   Every page is colorful with pictures, creative graphic layout that makes learning new things about this topic more enjoyable. The writing is quite philosophical in its approach (which may be a bit too much for some wanting more 1-2-3 steps). Also, more detailed case studies would have driven home the concepts better as would a more integrated, direct writing style.
   
   But, Thorpes' approach is to teach one how to think and not what to think. It gives designers a new lens to evaluate the how design impacts human/ecological well being as well as the increasingly limited resources of our planet. But, this highly visual book was a nice change from many other, purely academic books I have read on sustainability. 4 stars overall.

5 comments about Frank Lloyd Wright in Pop-up.

1. I have enjoyed this book since receiving it. It's a fun coffee table book and the pop-ups are wonderful. It is a fragile book, arriving with the spine damaged in shipping. All the pop-ups were fine so I didn't exchange it.



2. Despite the earlier, very negative review by Dominic, I agree with George&M's positive review, and found this book quite enjoyable, interesting, and readable.
   
   First of all, Dominic is wrong when he says the pop ups don't actually "pop up." The model of the Johnson Wax building actually rises up a good six inches, maybe more off the paper, hardly anything close to what he describes. Most don't go that far, but are still very enjoyable to watch how they work as you open up the book, and to look at.
   
   And as for the fragile binding and poor book quality he cites, well, welcome to the real world of commercial publishing of art and architecture books, which has been going downhill for probably the last 20 years, as publishers struggle to maintain profitability in the face of an American public that cares little for art and architectural education. Dominic also doesn't discuss the written text, which, for a book that looks like it's designed more to entertain rather than to educate, is well done, with detailed histories of the six buildings in the book, and comments by Wright himself about how he designed the project.
   
   Even if you don't buy it, if you're a fan of Wright's, you should at least seek it out for the sheer fun of watching the paper pop-ups of Wright's buildings. The book discusses six of Wright's most notable buildings, such as the Johnson Wax building, Fallingwater, and the Mayan style house in L.A. (unfortunately I don't recall the name of the owners). The choices of buildings are a good selection to represent the full diversity of Wright's work, which ranged from personal residences to major corporate complexes. Overall, this is an interesting and fun and informative book on Wright that should be of interest to any Wright afficionados or fans of pop-up books (the most fun books after all--check out the Kama Sutra one I saw once some time. :-)).



3. I bought this gift for my boyfriend who loves Wright's work. The pop-ups are really amazing. They captured several of the Frank Lloyd Wright structures perfectly. The book also has a lot of good information about the architect.



4. Not a serious architecture book by any means, but it is neat to look at and keep on your coffee table. Other reviewers seem to take it too seriously (and maybe themselves also).



5. this was purchased as a gift for my niece. she is showing an interest in architecture

4 comments about North Shore Long Island: Country Houses, 1890-1950.

1. Wow.
   
   I grew up in Old Brookville and was drawn to this book. While I know some of the history, and remember bits of it from anecdotes and people and stories from my childhood, Mr. Mateyunas has done a compelling, well researched job of evoking a lost era of a magical time in American history. And even better, he has captured all of it in one beautiful book.
   
   He has done a masterful job (and this from someone who writes for a living). I shall give this book as a gift and am proud to have it in my library.
   
   "And so we beat on, boats against the current..." FSF



2. This book is absolutely amazing. It is by far the best book out there for this part of Long Island, in this particular time period. There are so many pictures that I've never been able to find anywhere else. My only complaint is that there wasn't enough information about the few houses in the back part of the book (one of them is my old house and I can't find any info about it anywhere!!). Finally someone has put all of the best info about the classic North Shore together in one place. Excellent work!



3. 
   Ever imagine what it might have been like to have dinner with F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda, to attend one of the fabulous parties so vividly painted in his literature? Their time is often called the Gilded Age, and it truly must have been if the amazing homes featured in North Shore Long Island are examples of houses they frequented.
   
   As most know, the North Shore of Long Island borders Long Island Sound and once boasted some 1,000 stately homes, more accurately mansions, earning that area the sobriquet Gold Coast. These were the homes of the rich and famous, the celebrated, and a gathering place for those who yearned to be a part of their storied existence.
   
   In all probability, it is the setting for Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (1925) with its memorable descriptions of privileged lives. North Shore homes with their varied architecture, verdant gardens, pools, furniture and appointments once outshone any to be found elsewhere in America or in Europe.
   
   Art historian Paul J. Mateyunas has selected 40 of these homes as the focus of "North Shore Long Island/Country Houses 1890 - 1950." He not only presents 350 duotones and floor plans in his beautiful volume but also traces the building of the homes and the lives of those who were in residence. All of this makes for a fascinating arm chair tour of another time in an unparalleled place.
   
   Recommended.
   
   - Gail Cooke



4. Acanthus Press rocks..and this is another great book from them..this book is fantastic. The North Shore of Long Island is the benchmark for high society living..the movie The Great Gatsby may have been filmed in Newport, but it was about the Gold Coast. This is the bastion of WASP high society of the turn of the century into the sixties. The book itself is perfect, scholarly text and crisp, vivid images. Highly recommended, you wont be disappointed.

No comments about Foster 40: Projects / Themes.

5 comments about When Not to Build: An Architect's Unconventional Wisdom for the Growing Church.

1. If you want conventional wisdom, don't look here. This is a very Biblical, fresh, look at the way we do church, from the foyer to the sanctuary. The authors' combined experiences, along with their desire to do things God's way, result in some eye-opening revelations.



2. This is a "must read" for any church that is beginning to plan for building any addition. It is helpful to answer the questions that the authors present to us before we assume that we know why we are building and what we can expect to accomplish through the building project.



3. In the 35 years I have been a lay leader in several different churches, this is absolutely the best and most practical book I have ever read! It is also an easy read. I gave it to a friend who read it in one afternoon. It should be mandatory reading for every church elder/leader board.
   
   Dale Ewald



4. I "had" to read this book because I am on the church board. I was pleasantly surprised by it. It is an easy-reading book that offers unique "think outside the box" ideas for solving a variety of church problems. Even if you are NOT thinking about building, many of the ideas in this book may be useful to your church!
   
   Most churches probably don't need to build because there are other very viable and realistic alternatives. (The book gives many examples!) A building may also put the church in financial bondage, and shift the churches focus from people/outreach to the building program. Because the focus changes, the church stops growing...and they end up in a big new building with hardly any people.
   
   Besides the actual physical ideas for creating more usable space in your existing building, the book also encourages you to think more about your churches priorities and principles. Maybe you don't even need more space. Is your church "over-programmed"?? Many churches start new programs without phasing out any of the old. Old and new programs may end up over-lapping with each other. More isn't necessarily better. It can lead to chaos, volunteers stretched thin, lower quality programs, and lack of space. Better to do less and do it well. Cutting out some programs may not only solve the space problems, but just be better for the church anyways! Short on sunday school classrooms? The "team teaching" method described in the book will not only free up space, but it often creates a higher quality of sunday school classes.
   
   I highly recommend this book - many creative ideas... I think all church leaders should read it.



5. i bought this book b/c the church where my husband is a minister built nearly 3 years ago and now the church is so in debt my husband and the other associate minister are about to lose their job so they can pay the mortgage. what a wealth of wisdom is in this book! and a quick read, too. if every church going through growing pains read this book, i believe the face of american churches would be completely different. what i especially love is the common sense advice for how to reorganize ministries to use space better, take the burden off the volunteers, etc.
   
   and you can't argue with the man. the Bible nowhere EVER advocates debt as a good thing, much less a whole body of believers going into debt for something material like a building. i love his chapter on turning church spending upside down, and imagining what a church could do in and for the community with the money they would have spent on an unnecessary building.
   
   a lot of practical, biblical, common sense advice. highly recommend it!

1 comments about Professional Practice 101: Business Strategies and Case Studies in Architecture.

1. As you work your way through your architectural career there come the times when you need to be reminded about how you should work and how the profession has changed while your eyes were glued to your monitor.
   
   This book does all of that and more. Almost all of the contributors are a pleasure to read and on task with the area they were asked to write about.
   
   I recommend this bood to anyone at any level of their career.

5 comments about Architect's Portable Handbook.

1. This is a nice little reference book that is packed with useful info. It's not the definitive Architectural reference but that's not it's intent. It is a bit pricey...but pick up a used copy for $10 bucks and you'll be pleasently surprised.



2. After using the older version of this book, I was disappointed by the sequel. Not only was the shipper terrible, the book showed up sliced and with no return instructions, but the content was already outdated. It has been a disappointment.



3. book is very basic. for the home owner (or joke architect) to become familiar with the basic concepts of building. not for a contractor or engineer.



4. As a portable handbook and quick reference it contains some useful information if you need something to carry in your pocket, beyond that I feel if you have a graphics standards or building construction illustrated you are better off. The cost estimation is a bit simplistic but useful, but does not offset the lack of information. Plenty of areas are covered with only the most generalized and basic information. Reason for two stars: should be a 10 dollar notebook.



5. I have had the First Edition of this book since 1993, and have used that as a reference almost daily throughout my education and well into my professional practice. I decided to purchase this revised edition since the original book was becoming worn and flat out-of-date. This new version (a good 200 pages heavier than the first edition) includes new building code information (specifically IBC 2000), and provides revised cost estimate numbers. To this day, it is still the ONLY book worthy enough to reside on my desk.

   This book is an excellent source for the student and professional alike. Basic concepts, construction methods, and principles for design considerations are organized and indexed for easy reference and all attempts have been made to make the content easy to understand. Rules-of-thumb and graphics are provided throughout the text as well as commonly used tables, charts, graphs, maps, etc. Guthrie has also managed to develop several clever little checklists, which assist in making sure all issues have been addressed.

   The book is getting a little thick, and the distinctive oversized laminated cover has evolved into a standard size cover (it's not spiral bound - it's a paperback). The price is a little high, but I think the information found in this tidy little book is well worth it.

5 comments about Monuments: America's History in Art and Memory.

1. Judith Dupre's book is a keeper, a volume to be read and treasured for generations. It's for those with a relative who fought in World War II, and those who have visited Gettysburg, seen the Liberty Bell and marveled at Mount Rushmore.
   Ms. Dupre infuses major historical events with glowing new life. She fills her pages with interesting facts and profound truths, explaining, for instance, why the triumphant Indian Americans were not commemorated in the first 120 years after the Little Bighorn Battle in Montana. Other battles -- from Gettysburg, World War II, Korea -- yield important cemeteries. Ms. Dupre's presentations range from the familiar (Statue of Liberty) to the unfathomable (Saint-Gaudens's monument to Clover Adams in Washington's Rock Creek Cemetery.) In a book that easily stirs emotions her description of New York City prisoners burying the unclaimed bodies of convicts at Hart Island ("the marginalized are interred by the marginalized with dignity") is especially poignant.
   The book will be valued by those with connections to these sacred sites, but it belongs in the collections of all who are tuned into American history.



2. Bravo! MUCH MORE than a "coffee table" book! Dupré's thoroughly researched and cogently presented text outshines the fascinating graphics. "Monuments" taught me more than I had intended to learn about the subject, and made me realize memorials talk about history in an unique way. I would recommend this book to any and all readers, especially those interested in getting a new and intriguing take on presidential and military history.



3. What impressed me of this work is how well it was researched. It has many side stories. Names and dates are carefully reported. The linkages to similar memorials or concepts are included in shaded boxes as ancillary threads. Was also impressed on the timeline, that reveals how the event that is memorialized eventually came into fruition of an actual memorial.
   
   My only criticism is not clarifying the geographical location of the monument (it assumes the reader knows where it is).
   
   The bonus is including ample space on the mass-conscious inpromptu memorials, such as leaving teddy bears, flowers, notes on the side of a tragedy or catastrophic event. I would add to that the silent and passive solitary memorials left by people along roadsides, memorializing a traffic accident. Or even the placement of a geocache, a box in the woods containing a logbook, such as the one in Western Pennsylvania in remembrance of two teenagers killed ["In Memory Of Clairenda and Loretta" GCQHZP]
   
   On the discussion of people mourning by leaving items at places such as the Vietnam Memorial, Oklahoma City, Columbine, the author however missed to mention that the same people that visit such memorials can actually take an object that is laying there. The items left are considered as abbandoned property by the National Park Service for 30 days, and only thereafter picked up and inventorized into the national museum system. In the meantime, the same item can be picked up by visitors, and the memorial acts as an exchange place. ... very much like a geocache.



4. This fascinating and unusual book is beautifully produced- it would make an excellent gift. It's a kind of treasury of richly detailed visits to a wide variety of different kinds of monuments. Dupre describes each one historically, evoking the powerful emotions behind the monument or memorial so that the original need can be felt and understood. The book gives us access to the people who created these monuments, and for whom they were created. Scholarly and also profoundly intuitive, Judith Dupre understands that a monument is by definition a labor of love, and has given us one.



5. Judith's books are always enjoyable but there is something especially wonderful about this one. It isn't just history or architecture, she finds the heart of why we remember, the purpose of these places. The histories are told with sensitivity and care, and the dozens of people that inhabit the book are portrayed colorfully and with close observation of their humanity, something usual lacking in ordinary history books. Having been to Manzanar several times and wandered over its acres myself, her narrative touched me and brought alive the people and the time.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone with even the slightest interest in the human side of history.