1 comments about The Architecture of Modern Italy: Volume I.

1. This book is an excellent resource for the historian or designer interested in tradition's impact on our architecture today. History has always affected all "modern" design, and this book draws valuable links and introduces us to a new way to critique modern architecture.

No comments about Six Architects (Arquitectura Contemporanea (Bogota, Colombia).).

2 comments about Palaces of Sicily.

1. I was in Sicily last February, a beautiful time to be there and though I saw many beautiful things, I did not see all the wonderful palaces described in this lovely book. The book is a great incentive to go again.



2. How great the book is.Through the book you can watch the most beautiful palaces in Sicily. The phots show the incredible buildings and sight, just like you walking among them,breathing with them. Off course the words introduce the history about each palace , just like a sweet dream, enjoy it.

No comments about Giulio Romano (Architecture in Early Modern Italy).

No comments about Covering + Exposing : Coop Himmelblau.

No comments about Islamic Architecture In Cairo: An Introduction.

No comments about Architecture in Salem: An Illustrated Guide.

4 comments about The Empire State Building (Architecture).

1. The sixty-five photographs in this book are probably the best of the thousand Lewis Hine took during the construction of the Empire State Building. Several are now the standard image used to depict industrial output during the Depression and rightly so. Hine concentrates on the workers rather than the actual building and you can see just how precarious some of their activity is. Years before hardhats and workman's comp hundreds of seasoned craftsmen managed to erect a building nearly a quarter of a mile high in 410 days and weighing 365,000 tons.

   Author Freddy Langer writes an interesting short essay about Lewis Hine explaining how he became interested in using photography to expose the exploitation of child labor during the early years of the last century. These photos were used in his book 'Kids at Work' (ISBN 0395797268). His interest in photographing the workplace got him the commission to record the building of the Empire State and some of these images also appeared in his 1932 book 'Men at Work' (ISBN 0486234754).

   It is a shame that the book does not give more explanation to what the craftsmen are doing in the photos. A book that does have photos (though not by Hine) and detailed captions is 'Building the Empire State' (ISBN 0393730301) edited by Carol White, it reproduces seventy-seven pages of typewritten description, some of it quite technical, that someone at Starrett Brothers, the builders, produced as a record of the construction.

   The Empire State was in competition with the Chrysler Building and a book by David Stravitz, 'The Chrysler Building' (ISBN 1568983549) is a week-by-week photographic construction record of Van Allen's Art Deco masterpiece with detailed captions to the pictures. Strangely many of Hine's photos clearly show the Chrysler Building in the background.

   All three books celebrate the building of two stunning New York skyscrapers.




2. This book is wonderful. The pictures bring back a time in our country's history that was hopeful and expansive - a nice antidote to today's closed attitudes. Anyone with an interest in American history and the story of one our momumental achievements should have this book. P.S. Children love this book too -- my two sons take it off the shelf almost every night!



3. I like architecture. I like buildings. And I adore The Empire State building in New York City. (as if I need to mention location) This is an informative book by Mr. Doherty and others giving us a detailed view into dreams coming to life of the then tallest building in the world. How it was built, human drama behind the scenes, how fast it went up---4 stories a week, the limestone that was only brought in from Indiana, and other fascinating information.

   With a glossary, index, photo's of helmeted men in 1930---daringly straddling beams above a floor of cement doom, one can relive visiting this icon or enjoy true anticipation of using one of its 73 elevators to reach for the heavens on an open aired viewing floor where everything from weddings to arm wrestling competitions take place.

   Did you know they began using outdoor lights due to an aircraft bomber, lost in the fog and crashing into her 79th floor back in the 40's? And now, one can see it adorned with special lit colors--Blue was done as a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Blue & White for Churchill, and Gold for the Pope.

   Yes, the building that may now not be the tallest, will forever hold a special place in our hearts. As seen in many movies, from King Kong to Sleepless In Seattle, we can step back and wonder who is behind those 6,000 windows ( you might spot Donald Trump, he owns part of her now ) and wistfully sigh at the romance of it all.

   other reading suggestions: "The Majesty of the French Quarter" by Kerri McCaffety

   --CDS--




4. Pictures that are not well known, but warm the heart

No comments about Gone from Texas: Our Lost Architectural Heritage (Centennial Series of the Association of Series, 9).

No comments about Giancarlo De Carlo: Layered Places.