No comments about Nearest Thing to Heaven: The Empire State Building and American Dreams (Icons of America).

5 comments about An Architectural Guidebook to Portland.

1. This is an outstanding architectural guide, written for architecture enthusiasts and serious cultural travelers. Why did I give it only a 4 (instead of a 5)? Because it is not entirely inclusive of entries from the 2001 edition. The author, for some odd reason, has removed (or condensed) many of the entries from the 2001 edition to make room for mostly modern structures from the past six years. My simple complaint (and recommendation): In any new edition, add, but do not subtract.
   
   Otherwise, it's nearly perfect. The small building selection (about 250 sites) is wonderful, and is a perfect balance between historic and modern landmarks. The author wrote the text with a fun, tongue-in-cheek style that is both insightful and entertaining. It really works well. The photographs are all monochrome, and there are very few, perhaps one per page, or about one for every other entry. There are a few interior shots of important public spaces. I would say that the photography meets minimum standards of a book like this, but that's about all. For those of you familiar with the Dorsey and Dilts guide to Baltimore, this book is similar in feel and format. There's a very brief introductory essay to establish the historical context, and short architect biographies inserted into the text. Mostly the author chooses to let us interpret the history of the city through the buildings.
   
   As for the architecture, I'll leave that for you to discover. Suffice to say that Portland is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Surrounding suburbs and towns are not discussed, but that's fine since there's more than enough to keep one interested within the Portland city limit. And if you think Portland is just a smaller version of Seattle, you should take a look at this book and reconsider that conclusion.



2. Now in an updated and expanded second edition reflecting Portland's growth in the twenty-first century, An Architectural Guidebook to Portland is teacher Bart King's guide to the amazing buildings that distinguish Portland, Oregon as a place worthy of sightseeing. From 19th-century cast-iron front buildings to the Old Town and Chinatown to the breathtaking downtown bridges and much more, An Architectural Guidebook to Portland is sure to intrigue architecture enthusiasts, Portland tourists, and armchair travelers alike. Black-and-white photographs illustrate this blend of historic preservation and history vignettes, which features over 250 separate entries.



3. The book contains a brief history of Portland architecture, and a building by building look at the best, and some of the worst, buildings in downtown and surrounding areas. Anyone who has been to Portland and actually looked at the buildings knows that Portland's architecture is pretty special. There are only a few of the original turn of the century cast-iron frame buildings left, unfortunately, because they were torn down to build a freeway in the 1940s. The freeway is now gone (moved 14 blocks west, away from the Willamette waterfront), but only 10% of the buildings near the waterfront survived. The area around Skidmore fountain shows what Portland looked like then.
   
   The book doesn't limit itself to just old buildings, though. There's a description and photo of the Henry building, the condo development completed in 2004 directly behind Powell's books. And the new Park Towers building, occupying the space across the street from the old Hamburger Mary's, is present as well.
   
   This is a really excellent and detailed look at Portland's unique architecture. It would make an excellent guidebook for walking tours in downtown.



4. [Review of the second edition]
   
   When I accepted the offer to receive and review a copy of the book An Architectural Guidebook To Portland, Second Edition by Bart King, I'll admit I wasn't waiting with anticipation for it to show up. In fact, had his request not had the line "No pressure! The book is particularly helpful as a cure for insomnia, however.", I probably would have let it pass. But much to my surprise, this was far more fun to read than I expected, and I'm glad I had the chance to see it.
   
   Contents:
   Introduction; Downtown; Cultural District, Government Center; Yamhill; Old Town - Chinatown; The Pearl; Northwest; Southwest; Southeast; Northeast; Downtown Bridges; Glossary; Photo Credits; Bibliography; Index
   
   Portland has a very rich and colorful history from the early days as "Stumptown" to the present. And going into old historic sites fascinate me, as I can often "feel the past" when I imagine what things must have been like back then. But reading a book where someone waxes eloquent about the finer points of Romanesque versus Richardsonian Romanesque doesn't do a thing for me. Fortunately, this book is *far* from that. King divides up the city into some basic areas, and then covers approximately 20 to 30 buildings of note in each, ranging from the late 1800's to buildings that are due to start in the upcoming year. The first difference I noticed is that his choices are not all "excellent" examples of some style or architect. In fact, a number of his choices were voted "ugliest building in Portland" by various panels. You may not necessarily agree with the opinions, but he's not afraid to point out both thoroughbreds and nags. And he does it with a sharp and cutting sense of humor. Each selection usually has a short inset or sidebar that contains an interesting factoid that brings the building's history to life. Even the glossary is worth reading (yes, I was *that* hooked!). My favorite was probably the definition of portico... "A covered porch. There are many different styles. You do not care." It's not often I laugh out loud when reading. Especially so when architecture is the subject matter. This was a definite exception.
   
   "Serious" students of architecture might feel that King doesn't treat the subject matter with the reverence that it deserves. To that I say, get a life. But for the average person who goes to work in downtown Portland every day without noticing the rich history around them, this book is a true gem.



5. While there is much helpful information in this book, I'm afraid the delivery is awkward and colorless and it was an effort to complete this read. If you're working on a specific project related to architectural issues in Portland, then you'll find some relevant data. Otherwise, don't put yourself through it.

No comments about Barn Building: The Golden Age of Barn Construction.

1 comments about Myths in Stone: Religious Dimensions of Washington, D.C..

1. Who would have thought of Washington, D.C. as a spiritual destination? You will think so after reading this rich, soulful guidebook to the capital's architectural idiosyncrasies. This author, whom I find more inspiring and much more readable than mythologist Joseph Campbell, escorts the reader on a journey to the mythic center of what Lincoln called "the last great hope of mankind." What better time in our history to visit and revisit it as sacred space. In the words of the author, "to visit Washington is to experience the retelling of a story of mythic proportions." The conclusions Meyer draws from his epiphany, described in the chapter entitled "Reflections," are alone worth the price of the book.

1 comments about John Galen Howard and the University of California: The Design of a Great Public University Campus.

1. This book is the best source of inofrmation I've found on John Galen Howard. It was a great help in my research realted to a house he designed in Georgia, especially the chapters on his early years before moving to California.

2 comments about A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Western North Carolina (The Richard Hampton Jenrette Series in Architecture and the Decorative Arts).

1. As with the other titles in this series by Bishir, they just don't get any better. The three books together offer a complete survey of historic architecture in North Carolina. There are many small black and white photographs included, good maps, essays that place the structures in historical context, addresses and precise dating, all grouped by county and organized around the principal towns in each. Many an AIA guide attempts this format and falls far short.
   
   I liked this series so much I bought it twice--one to save and one to use.



2. This is a book of wonder and revelation, illuminating the history and splendor of one of America's most magical regions. It will make you want to learn more and more and then drive the Blue Ridge Parkway.

No comments about The American Country House.

No comments about Villas and Gardens of Tuscany.

1 comments about American Home: From Colonial Simplicity to the Modern Adventure.

1. A beautiful big book of photographs, some of them fold-out, it presents in exquisite detail a history of America's finest homes and architecture. Selecting delicious cream puff examples of how we have lived in all regions of the United States, this book would appeal to most people, who would enjoy at least a one-time careful reading and multiple returns to browse its pages.
   The only downside to this big beauty is its sheer weight, requiring strong hands and arms and a solid space to rest it on.
   Definitely recommended for every home-lover's library.

No comments about Austria West Tirol Vorarlberg: Neue Architektur / New Architecture, Mit einem Essay von / With an essay by Otto Kapfinger.