No comments about The American Skyscraper: Cultural Histories.

3 comments about Five California Architects.

1. If you are a true fan of architecture, specifically the radicalism of California at the turn of the 20th century, this book is one of the bibles. McCoy lived and breathed architecture, and she brought a very warm, humanistic perspective to her writing. From her years working with John Entenza at the ground-breaking California "Arts and Architecture" and the Los Angeles Times "Home" magazine, McCoy established herself as the spokesperson for several generations of architectural pioneers. Like Julius Shulman in her documentation of the past and (then) present architectural landscape, McCoy's work is inspiring. This volume (which was later followed by the excellent "Second Generation") covers Bernard Maybeck, Greene and Greene, Irving Gill, and R. M. Schindler. Each essay, complete with ample b/w photos, covers the careers and lives of these distinctly unique architects. In particular the work of Schindler, whom McCoy worked with as a drafting assistant for many years, McCoy shows the very human, personal side of this often confounding genius. I'm really probably just preaching to the choir here though... you should own this one.



2. "Five California Architects" is a good introduction to the works and lives of the architects profiled (The Greene brothers, Irving Gill, Bernard Maybeck and R.M. Schindler). The book consists of biographical essays on each architect (the Greenes are handled together) and various photos and sketches of buildings they each designed.
   
   This book is more like five little books; one for each individual architect. There is little attempt to provide any linkages between them (although some links are so obvious that the style of treatment reveals them none the less); and little attempt to provide context. The style of writing is heavy on anecdote. "Five California Architects" gives the reader a good sense of the kind of men these architects were, but less of a sense of the position they occupied in the development of modern architecture.
   
   Despite its short comings, this book is a must have for those interested in the development of modernist architecture in California, and I would recommend it to all those interested in the subject.



3. In addition to On The Edge of The World and Towards A Simpler Way of Life, this is a great book to have if you are looking for biographies of California architects. The book also features some nice close-up photos of architectural details.

No comments about Dream Homes Washington DC: An Exclusive Showcase of Washington DC's Finest Architects (Dream Homes).

4 comments about Luis Barragan.

1. This small book is a great realisation of the spirit contained within the architecture of Luis Barragan. If one thing can be said, it allows us to see what Luis saw, and not necessarily what he did, the theme of which defined a quote that was included in the book. Rene Burri has done a great job of allowing us to see what Luis saw and give us an introduction to the essential nature of his architecture. It is a book whose simplicity allows the characteristics of poetry and beauty to be conveyed in a decidedly rich manner without the need for an overabundance of photographs. Barragan seemed to be more concerned about the spirit of his architecture than the architecture itself and this book cetainly conveys that. Top Stuff!



2. This is a short, quirky little book, that reads more like a short book of poetry than a book on architecture or on the great architect luis barragan. It does have a few enticing pictures of his works and a few lines that offer insights into barragan's character. But it's hardly a definitive or essential work. Barragan fanatics probably want it for the collection. Fans but non-fanatics should look elsewhere.



3. There are some very beautiful photographs and thought abstactions from the master, but this is not specifically an architectural peice of literature, as I expected it to be. It does capture some intriguing spacial conditions, but the artistic context appears in more of photographical context.



4. If you are interested in works by Mexican architects, like the recent AIA award winner Legorreta, this book is a must-have. It's filled with beautiful photographs of Barragan's works. The book is an artwork by itself. Phaidon scores again!

5 comments about The Grand Tour: Travelling the World with an Architect's Eye.

1. I'm an architect and I usually have my camera with me wherever I go, especially to take photos of landscapes and/or buildings that catch my fancy wherever I am.
   
   That's the concept behind this lovely coffee table styled book from Taschen publishers. It's a collection of vivid photos of structures that caught the eye of architect Henry Seider. Taken all over the world (every continent is represented), they include the rock structures of Petra in Jordan, the gothic cathedral at Ulm, and the museum für Moderne Kurnst both in Germany, Isfahan mosque in Iran, works by Le Corbusier, Mies Van De Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, to mention a few, with minimal notes (and in a few cases, sketches) describing each project.
   
   Structures range from historical (Petra, the pyramids and temples of Egypt), to classic, to modern, so there should be something for everyone.
   
   As with every other book on architecture from Taschen which I own, this is a delight.



2. Some travellers notice people, others notice the differences in landscapes and natural formations, still others notice weather and climate and how it differs from their home, and yet others are hungry for the living culture of food and music they find in foreign places. And then there are those travellers who notice the architecture in each place they visit. Harry Seidler was the latter type. He travelled the world, and with his architect's eye, he noticed and photographed the famous and not-so-famous structures and buildings that appealed to him. These photos were then compiled into this pretty book.
   
   Both Taschen and Phaedon, as publishers, are noted for their beautiful niche art and coffee-table books. This book is no exception; providing a series of beautifully photographed famous and/or architecturally significant buildings from around the world. This is not a theoretical nor an analytical book - and thank god, as there are plenty of those in the market already. This is an art book (i.e. a colour glossy photo book).
   
   This is a book produced for the joy of looking at beautiful or significant buildings from across the world, across cultures and across the centuries. Apart from a brief written introduction accompanying each section, the reader is left free to enjoy the pictures, to travel in the imagination, to marvel at the architectural richness of the world, and most importantly, to make up our own minds as to the historical and aethetic worth of the different constructions on offer.
   
   One need not be knowledgeable in architecture to enjoy this book. You only need an eye for beauty and an appreciation for human ingenuity and engineering. Enjoy!



3. Harry Seidler is Australia's greatest living architect. His award winning domestic and international works are represented in a number good books. This book however, is a personal photographic journey through more than 50 years of travel. The photos are taken by Harry himself and the wily observer will even notice family members in some. It is a book that prompts the desire to travel to see unknown (to me at least) buildings that represent great architectural achievements of their time. Of course it also includes the famous and well known architectural wonders. When I am feeling nostalgic for travel and good architecture it is one of the first books I pick up.



4. An amazing and wonderful image collection of the greatest architectural master pieces from around the world.

   I can only hope to be able to visit a fraction of these places in my own time. Great to be able to see them here!

   A must for anyone interested in great architecture and photographs.




5. I've previewed some pages of this book on the official site of Taschen. Then I bought this book with the thought that there would be good analysis about those great architectures,since this book entitled with "...an architect's eye". When I got this book I feel a little bit of dissapointment because this book is merely a collection of mostlt "western" architecture photos. With few analysis on these masterpieces,I suggest those who interest in real architectural books go browse Google for pics rather than buying this book.

No comments about Colonial Architecture of Mexico.

1 comments about Building Type Basics for Places of Worship (Building Type Basics).

1. A useful primer for anyone involved in the design of places of worship. Covers a wide range of design considerations and uses sophisticated examples.

5 comments about Painting What You Want to See.

1. May be the author wished to speak about painting in general, but the pictures shown are mainly watercolors. So if you are interested in oils... Moreover Reid's oil paintings seem to me like watercolor ones, and his oils are not specially beautiful.
   
   Another important fact about this book is Reid's painting philosophy: "I know I see a spot of (let's say) white color there, but I know the local color of this object is (let's say) blue, so I paint it blue". In my opinion he just paints the tones and values he wants, with no relationship to reality. This is the way the title of this book should be interpreted.
   
   The paintings shown on the book are beautiful (I mean I like them), the explanations are clear (for me) and the examples are illustrative (I find them so). But I don't like the way he changes the light and atmosphere of scenes.



2. This is a good book, but other books by Reid are more informative.



3. "Painting What You Want To See" covers a slew of topics of tremendous importance to improving your artwork that are slighted by most authors and most teachers. These topics include the understanding the propper proportion of light & dark values, the importance of distinct colors, how to get better looking colors (e.g., lights, darks, greens, skin tones), why some edges should be blurred and which ones, how to (and not to) arrange objects in a painting, how to tie objects together into a cohesive whole, the relative importance (or lack thereof) of propper perspective, techniques for better looking shadows, the importance of sketches, and many more topics. For each topic, the author includes one or more generally worded exercises that will help the reader practice the technique. These are not those awful step-by-step-reproduce-my-painting-exactly sort of exercises, either, but well thought out tasks that will help you see the importance of the technique in your own work. There is a very nice section at the end which demonstrates common problems and how to fix them. I only wish this section were longer.
   
   Although the book focuses on watercolor and oil, most of the lessons are applicable to all mediums. Many of the demonstration pictures are sketches suitable to the lesson at hand, not final works, so don't expect every drawing to be "amazing". Many of the paintings focus on people, and several the topics covered are of particular value to figure painters. I would highly recommend this book to any artist.



4. ...much as you would expect from Charles Reid. For me, this book seems less focused than some of his earlier output -- such as his portrait & figure painting books and his portait video -- and less compelling, as was his floral book, although I suspect they might both appeal more to a female viewer/reader. It is also possible that there is a certain amount of repetition/overlap/familiarity about the book. That said, the color and quality of the images are admittedly wonderful and superior to the mainly mono-tone portrait book mentioned previously.



5. There are 46 lessons and assignments in this book, critiques included. Reid covers not only painting but, more important, seeing.

   Reid begins by reviewing the basics: Contour drawing, value scales, seeing shapes, adding values to drawings. Then he goes into detail in working with values, handling color, directing the eye, composing with color, and interpreting light. The last two sections of the book deal with critiques, solutions and learning from the masters. There's also a useful bibliography that's divided into books about painting and those on drawing. Then there's a list of artists whose work the student should study to gain insight into different techniques.

   This book is a fresh look at working in watercolors and oils. I'd recommend it to photographers, too. These ideas and information could be easily translated to the film medium.

   All that said, it's a gorgeous coffeetable book, too.

No comments about A Patch of Eden: America's Inner-City Gardeners.

1 comments about Cabaret Berlin: Revue, Kabarett And Film Music Between The Wars.

1. Unless you are fluent in German, you'll be greatly disappointed by this otherwise excellent compilation. MAJOR PROBLEM: There is NO libretto!! C'mon... Give us a German libretto to these songs at least!
   
   The re-mastered CD's are nearly flawless, no hiss & hardly a pop from these old recordings. The book is beautiful, well written with some great photographs. It's packaged like a Grand Opera... But where's the damn libretto!!!?? Some 'big-thinker' at EarBooks must have made an executive decision (to save a buck), that landed this album in the bargain bin at Amazon).
   
   Great Weimar atmospheric music... But I wish I knew the words!