Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House: The Illustrated Story of an Architectural Masterpiece

Book Description

Painstakingly researched and illuminating account of the making of the Fred C. Robie home. Revealing family documents, excerpts from a 1958 interview with Fred Robie, and 160 black-and-white illustrations illuminate design, construction, various stages of landmark of modern architecture. Complete text.

Customer Reviews:

"...the ecstasy of power in ordering space...".......2001-12-26

This book is an excellent study, in marvelous detail
and analysis, of one of Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpieces
of architecture. Too often the words "artist" and
"genius" only dimly suggest the true nature of the
person or work being discussed; but this book with
its keen and accurate delineations about Robie,
the client and his desires, Wright, the architect/
artist/genius and his desires, and the work of art
itself -- the Robie House -- help one to fully
understand the harmonious combination of elements
which can come together in producing a masterpiece.
The author of this work is Donald Hoffmann, and
he has himself produced a work of magnificence
in this full presentation of the design and execution
of a "dream house." Hoffmann gives full and interesting
accounts of Robie and of Wright as their two psyches
come together to promote an "idealized" artwork which
pleases both client and architect.
The book also has wonderful footnotes filled
with insightful comments and quotes. Here is
an example of one:

Louis H. Sullivan at the end of his life wrote
quite beautifully that Wright was gifted with
"an apprehension of the material,so delicate as
to border on the mystic, and yet remain coordinate
with those facts we call real life." (p. 31)

The text itself is filled with suggestive and
provocative commentary:

Wright's ideal was the comprehensive and unified
work of art, the *Gesamtkunstwerk. German culture
fascinated him. He spoke of Bach and Beethoven
as the two greatest architects, and he confessed
his love for the old Germany of Goethe, Schiller,
even Nietzsche. (p. 14)

Wright stood almost alone in his intuition of
the prairie. * * * Everything about the site
suggested a long, low, stream-lined, ship-like
house: the prairie, the nearby lake, the new
sense of speed, * * * and the shape of the lot ,
three times as long as it was wide. (p. 17)

Radical and masculine, the Robie house would be
built in a part of Chicago characteristically
stern and urbane. (p. 13)
-------------
The book is filled with "160 carefully selected
illustrations" --which include architectural
drawings and many photos, both of the house,
of Robie and his family, of Wright, and of some
of Wright's other previous houses leading up to
the Robie House. Hoffmann also did excellent
research by gaining access to complete
taped transcripts by Robie, and interviews with
Robie's son, and others.

There is something very compelling and involving
to my sense perceptions about Wright's long, sleek,
tiered approach to architecture, as well as the
various designs of lamps and chairs and lights
which he included in the house. But on seeing the
photos of the dining room...and the rigid but
beautiful "Gothic" like chairs, as well as the
photos of the "stuff" that the Robie family
cluttered the Spartan rooms with in their
attempts to "customize" it to their living
desires...the house seems incredibly beautiful,
but not incredibly utilitarian: idealized, abstract,
geometric beauty and organic harmony with the
beauty and structure of Nature, but not necessarily
"organic" in its relation to people and "common
creature" comforts.

Batter my heart, Frank Lloyd Wright.......2000-02-26

Dieses Buch, wie sein Thema, wird wie ein Ziegelsteinouthouse aufgebaut. Unassailable Forschung. Gute Arbeit, Don.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, The Illustrated Story of an Architectural Masterpiece

Average customer rating:

Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, The Illustrated Story of an Architectural Masterpiece
Donald Hoffmann
Manufacturer: New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1984
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NVBSG6

Average customer rating:

Textile Techniques in Metal

Excellent!!!

When Fiber Becomes Metal

Inspires new creative ideas and works

Good for introductory workings with metal and crafts.

Textile Techniques in Metal: For Jewelers, Sculptors, and Textile Artists
Arline M. Fisch
Manufacturer: Lark Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Metal Work | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Textile Arts | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Fabulous Woven Jewelry: Plaiting, Coiling, Knotting, Looping & Twining with Fiber & Metal (Lark Jewelry Book)

The Jeweler's Directory Of Decorative Finishes

Woven Wire Jewelry: Contemporary Designs and Creative Techniques (Beadwork How-To series)

Classical Loop-in-Loop Chains (Jewelry Crafts)

ASIN: 0937274933

Book Description

A fully revised classic, with expanded photography and even more masterpieces by international artists, teaches you how to work each fiber technique in metal wire or strip. “Abundantly illustrated and thorough...this treasure of a book will be a continual source of insight, inspiration, and information.”—Shuttle, Spindle & Dyepot.

Customer Reviews:

Textile Techniques in Metal.......2007-07-06

Another disappointing book on using textile techniques in metal: the vast majority of the projects are too amateur and "crafty" in appearance, at least in my opinion.

The one technique I bought the book to learn about wasn't in it: as a silversmith, I wouldn't consider using any of the others.

Excellent!!!.......2007-06-23

This is not a how to do a project book.
Its a book that shows you how to push the materials used to its full capacity
100% inspirational.
Photos are great, so is the information on history materials, tools, etc.
A "must have" for all serious wire artists

When Fiber Becomes Metal.......2003-08-19

Though not the end all, be all of the technique (I wish she'd come out with a good project based how-to book on the subject), you will find tons of inspiration in the gallery and in the descriptions of the basic techniques! For those looking for a way to add to their current jewlery work or jump from textiles to jewelry, you'll find lots of help here.

Inspires new creative ideas and works.......1999-09-04

An excellent guide inspiring ideas for both metal sculpture and jewelry. A beautiful, as well as a thoughtful presentation of textile history and techniques adapted for use with metals. The photographs are elegant and eloquent in the information that they alone convey. A remarkable book useful to both students of jewelry techniques and to masters of metal work. Five Stars to Arline Fisch!

Good for introductory workings with metal and crafts........1998-06-26

The descriptions of what types of metals are best to use and the list of suppliers are worth the purchase price. There are basic instructions in everything from knitting to weaving to bobbin lace. A beginner crafter will appreciate the instructions and find a very useful book. As an experienced worker with nearly all the textile techniques in the book, I found the inspiration to branch into metalwork and some exciting project ideas. However, I felt a lot of the book was wasted, because the metal techniques are not difficult to master for someone familar with the corresponding yarn craft.

Book Description

In the last two decades of the twentieth century, Wales experienced a remarkable transformation, epitomizing the dramatic cultural changes that have taken place throughout the world. From a country with an economy, culture, and landscape dominated by agriculture and the heavy industries of coal, steel, and slate, Wales has become a place where the mines, mills, and quarries are closed--either for good or to be reinvented as mythical "heritage" tourist attractions--and where the new industries are high-tech and computer-based. The power of big business has arrived in the form of fast food, film, television, and the Internet, and there have been huge steps forward in issues such as feminism and the environment that affect everyday life for all Welsh people. Photographer David Hurn has been studying the metamorphosis in Wales, the "land of his father," over a period of twenty years. His carefully observed photographs reveal both the traditional and the modern sides of the country. The strength of Welsh culture and history is represented by images of mine-workers with their pit-ponies, day-trippers on the beach, sheep-dog trials and horse fairs, brass bands, traditional singers, the chapel, and the eisteddfod. Alongside are modern developments: Japanese factories producing microchips and computer products, hamburger stands, discos--even male strippers. Every picture tells its own truth, about life in Wales now and in the recent past, providing a distillation, in exquisite miniature, of the global change that is so inexorably a part of contemporary human experience.

Customer Reviews:

B/W Documentary Dedicated to Places - Highly Recommended.......2003-03-09

The ambiguity of the places (Wales) as well as the identity of the people (Welsh), forms an opened question from this book. Things are sometimes changing at a pace, that is difficult to be observed from the superficial level. It could happen in various aspect, economically, culturally, politically. Coal, steel, slate industry was diminishing. People were starting to lead their new way of living.

One interesting part of images (and even art) is its ambiguity. Suddenly, I think of my home, Hong Kong.

"Photographs that touch the heart".......2000-07-19

As I looked through the black and white photographs by David Hurn in his book, "Land of my Father", I was deeply touched by the honesty, warmth and beautiful simplicity of the images, and the fact that I did not feel like an intrudeer or stranger. It caused me to reflect on what it might be like for me to visit the land of my father and mother. Would it be similar to David's visit to Wales? I would like to think so, for his photographs have a universal appeal.

Land of My Fathers: 2000 Years of Welsh History

Average customer rating:

Land of My Fathers: 2000 Years of Welsh History
Gwynfor Evans
Manufacturer: Lolfa
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Wales | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

A History of Wales

ASIN: 0862432650

Alexander Cordell's Novels of Wales: The Fire People. Land of My Fathers. This Sweet and Bitter Earth

Average customer rating:

Alexander Cordell's Novels of Wales: The Fire People. Land of My Fathers. This Sweet and Bitter Earth
Alexander Cordell
Manufacturer: Hodder & Stoughton General Division
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0340407905

The story of the national anthem of Wales: 'Hen wlad fy nhadau', 'Land of my fathers'

Average customer rating:

The story of the national anthem of Wales: 'Hen wlad fy nhadau', 'Land of my fathers'
Alfred T Davies
Manufacturer: Ceiriog Memorial Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007JVIFA

Customer Reviews:

Social commentary in poor immigrant farmhomes.......2007-08-31

Peter Rosendahl captured the feelings of struggles and efforts by first generation immigrants eeking out a living on farms in Minnesota. His cartoons which were printed in 3 consecutive Norwegian language newpapers of more than 500 comic strips is in fact the longest continuously run comic strip in this country. Rosendahl ended his life by his own hand shortly before the US got involved in WWII, when his children and their peers no longer embraced his home culture and language of Norway and when it was illegal to gather to promote bi-partisan discussions of the fate of the USA. He questioned the two party disputes and wanted people to get along. His cartoons reflect the idiocy of conflict and they make you laugh outloud!

Book Description

Organizations now recognize microcomputer technology resources as a major asset that can change the overall posture of the firm. With this widespread acceptance of microcomputers as an organizational resource, managers must focus attention on the issues that have the potential to affect the way a company functions, competes, and grows.

This book examines the important issues surrounding microcomputer technology resources and how these changes directly affect the management of an organization. Managers will better understand how to deal with such issues as: training needs, software evaluation, data integrity and security, and disaster preparedness. Khosrowpour and Amoroso provide a valuable source book about microcomputer technology which will greatly help managers appreciate the important role of this organizational resource.

Amazon.com

Walk Like a Giant, Sell Like a Madman is a recapitulation of the techniques that made real-estate sales veteran Ralph R. Roberts a giant in the world of sales. It offers basics for beginners, a review for pros who hope to advance, and a primer for entrepreneurs who must sell their products or services as well as themselves. By relating personal experiences and those of other super-sellers, Walk Like a Giant shows how specific practices--such as maintaining client databases, investing in cutting-edge technology, and engaging in self-promotion--can make the difference between failure and success.

Book Description

The average real estate sells ten to twelve homes per year. A superstar salesperson sells fifty.

Last year alone, Ralph Roberts sold more than six hundred residential properties -- fifty time more than the average competitor!

What the secret behind the nation's bestselling real estate agent? How can you achieve similar phenomenal success in your field? More important, can you reach the megalevels Ralph Roberts attains year after year?

Yes!

Customer Reviews:

Great book and great service.......2006-03-20

Excellent response time getting this book. Quick, professional and a great read.

Not what I was expecting. . ........2005-02-17

I think someone else wrote the title. It doesn't fit the book, to begin with. Then there are these reviews. Half seem to be written by someone on the payroll. What positive sales information I managed to extract from this book (as minimal as it is) could have been written in a 5 page summary. For anyone that is new to sales and involved solely in real estate sales, then I could see them getting something to add to their arsenal of tricks. I am in automotive sales, however, and though the title suggests that I could find nuggets and be able to sell "anything" I am disappointeed in what I read. A better book (for automotive sales) is "Cars and People; How to Put the Two Together" or (for a good sales foundation) any EARLY Zig Ziglar book will do.

Entertaining, Insightful & Fun!.......2004-04-17

First, I rarely post comments about a book. Second, I'm not in "sales" (the type where I'm only paid by commission based on what I can sell) and the one and only sales job I've ever had was when I was 15 years old... not quite a million years ago, but close! Third, the goofy cover caught my attention - I was searching for a design book.

Ralph's book is fun, entertaining, and insightful -- not a perfect book filled with glitz and glamour, but a human story about his life in sales, his trials, and earned success. As a designer, I'm always looking for new inspiration and angles that drive me to seek the best for my creative process, but I have little time to READ books all the way through, word for word. In fact, I tend to look at picture and process only and skim read the rest in most books, except design related books... Anyhow, each chapter of Ralph's book compelled me to read more and to learn about his sales techniques, systems, and his mini life-story. By the time I finished from front to back cover, I was truly inspired to consider sales as part of a key change in my career path.

No, I'm not going into "sales" -- the commissions only type, but using my ability to negotiate with process that helps me and the people I work with so there's a win-win situation for everyone. If only I'd known to do that when I was 14 and unable to make one commission sale in 3 weeks... ha! Ralph's ideas are working like magic... in my work environment, with the public I'm required to meet, and even my family has responded in ways I'd never imagined AND I'm having fun. Thanks for this great book, Ralph!

Perfectly fits - my style.......2003-02-16

I think one of the keys to liking or disliking a book on sales is whether or not it fits your personality. I don't think you can stray too far from your core.
That said, Ralph R. Roberts and I appear to be kindred spirits and I laughed, loved and learned while reading his book. If you want to be bold, innovative and fun, and have that help you in your sales career, this book is great. If you're looking for something regimented (especially for real estate) read Danielle Kennedy, who also has some great books that I've learned from. But she doesn't fit my style.
Bottom line, after reading Ralph's book and implementing some of the lessons my RE career has started quickly and I've become known as the "go to" man in my farm.
Thanks Ralph!

Save your money there are many, many better options........2001-06-27

No new information here. Presented in a manner that is very dull and uninteresting. Save your money! There are many options that are much better.

Average customer rating:

Walk Like a Giant, Sell Like a Madman
Ralph R. Roberts , and John Gallagher
Manufacturer: Recorded Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Walk Like a Giant, Sell Like a Madman
Ralph Roberts
Manufacturer: HarperBusiness
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LOKNUW

Book Description

Included in this boxed set are:
Test Cards: 35 cards to help evaluate your child’s strengths and weaknesses in the nine different types of intelligences. Each test is like a game and is a fun way for parents and kids to spend time together.
The Parent’s Guide: Explains each type of intelligence and provides guidance on administering and assessing the test cards. It also provides boosting tips at the end of each test; these can be used both to stretch the child who has performed strongly and to give extra help to any child who needs it.
The Record Book: The ideal place to keep track of your child’s results and to note any particular facility, skill to be improved, or interest.

Average customer rating:

9 Ways to a Smarter Kid
Claire Gordon
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVOHDG

Book Description

A War of Nerves is a history of military psychiatry in the twentieth century--an authoritative, accessible account drawing on a vast range of diaries, interviews, medical papers, and official records, from doctors as well as ordinary soldiers. It reaches back to the moment when the technologies of modern warfare and the disciplines of psychological medicine first confronted each other on the Western Front, and traces their uneasy relationship through the eras of shell-shock, combat fatigue, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

At once absorbing historical narrative and intellectual detective story, A War of Nerves weaves together the literary, medical, and military lore to give us a fascinating history of war neuroses and their treatment, from the World Wars through Vietnam and up to the Gulf War. In so doing, he answers recurring questions about the effects of war. Why do some men crack and others not? Are the limits of resistance determined by character, heredity, upbringing, ideology, or simple biochemistry?

Military psychiatry has long been shrouded in misconception, and haunted by the competing demands of battle and of recovery. Now, for the first time, we have a definitive history of this vital art and science, which illuminates the bumpy efforts to understand the ravages of war on the human mind, and points towards the true lessons to be learned from treating the aftermath of war.

Customer Reviews:

Well recommended history of war psychology.......2006-07-28

A fine, well researched history of military psychological practices in the 20th century and easily comprehensible by the layman. As an American, I found the English spelling and punctuation annoying (honourable British writers reverse the use of single and double quotations, don't you know, Love), but you can get past that. I'm sure the British have similiar feelings about the American writing style. I can best compliment War of Nerves by telling you that I am citing it in a book on mental disorders during the American Civil War. Aside from that, I was intrigued by Shephard's thoughts on the creation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a recognized mental condition, i.e., that it came into the lexicon as much or more from social and political reaction to Vietnam as a step forward in mental evaluation.

A Must Read.......2004-02-29

Any person interested in traumatic neurosis should read this book. It is meticulously researched, clearly written, and presents a balanced report of the struggles of the military psychiatrists of the 20th century to deal with the dilemma of war and its impact on soldiers. Any therapist, soldier, or veteran will finish much the wiser. Thanks, Ben Shephard!

Book Description

For centuries, owls have held an extraordinary fascination for people. Since Roman times, they have both been persecuted as harbingers of death and treasured as the embodiment of good fortune. Even today they are shot and trapped for sport or killed for the supposed curative powers of their eyes and feathers. It is a testament to the owl's great intelligence and toughness that it has survived human contact at all.

Today, 19 species of owls can be found in North America and this magnificent book is a celebration of their survival. R.D. Lawrence's engaging text, complemented with dozens of stunning color images by America's top wildlife photographers, explains how owls hunt, what they feed on, how they see in the dark and much more. Each chapter focuses on a different species, from the majestic great horned owl and the rare ferruginous pygmy owl to the strange looking barn owl.

These individual portraits include each bird's vital statistics, along with range maps, information on their typical nesting and breeding patterns and detailed descriptions of their relationships with their family and environment. Lastly, owl-watching tips will inform every bird watcher.

Customer Reviews:

Lovely book.......2006-08-25

You will love the many breathtaking color photographs in this book. The text is comprised largely of personal accounts of encounters with various (mostly rehabilitated) owls, which is highly engaging and well written. Only the "forward" of the book discusses generic owl anatomy/behavior (rather quickly), the other chapters being species-specific stories of owl encounters.
If you're looking for a good scientific reference, I'd consider "North American Owls" as a great addition. In fact, a few statements in this book seem questionable. The author describes how owls can catch prey in complete darkeness, and despite their extraordinarily sophisticated 2D hearing ability, he suspects that their sense of *smell* is key. This flies in the face of most research I've read. Experiments show that when an ear is plugged, or the ruff feathers are removed, the owl dramtically loses ability to locate prey. Hearing seems to be key. Most birds have really lousy sense of smell.
He also says that nocturnal owls are somewhat handicapped by daylight, whereas all references I've read dispute this, saying owls are no more troubled by sunshine than we are (i.e., some occasional squinting), and my own experience photographing live owls with flash guns supports this.
Also, he says owls lack a crop and gizzard. Everything I read says they have a "glandular" adaptation of the crop, and indeed have a gizzard, which is what forms the well-known pellets.
So if you're looking for a good scientific reference, you might add another book, but nevertheless I cherish this book for its heartfelt personal stories about owls and it's gorgeous photographs.

Nevertheless,

Silent death..........2002-03-01

...for rats, mice, possum and other small nocturnal animals. Delivered by the talons of one of the 19 species of North American owls described, and beautifully photographed in OWLS: THE SILENT FLYERS. The history of owl's relationship with man is mixed. Due to their nightly stealth and effectiveness as hunters many cultures have imbued them with special powers. As such they have oftentimes been persecuted as harbingers of death. Yet man also treasures these magnificent birds and in many places they are symbols of wisdom and good fortune.

All this and much more is mentioned by the author as he tells of his personal experiences with many of the species through rehabilitating orphaned and injured birds. Diversity abounds. There are large species such as the Great Horned Owl and the Great Gray Owl and the tiny ones - Pygmy and Elf Owls. Ground dwellers such as the Burrowing Owl can be contrasted with northern-forest dwellers. Some have adapted to man made environments (the Barn Owl) while others are restricted to the remote artic wilderness (the Snowy Owl)

Each chapter covers a different species or group of owls and each description is supplemented with a map showing range and useful information such as the birds measurements, description of its eggs, nesting and breeding behavior, their diet and lastly, but by no means least - owl-watching tips for birders. This is however not a field guide. For one thing, it's too large. It is a good general introduction to North American owls highlighted with 70 full color photos and written by someone who obviously appreciates these unique birds. It also remains one of the better books available on the subject.

Owls: The Silent Flyers.......2001-04-20

The beautiful photographs combined with Lawrence's anecdotal writing style make this an entertaining and informative book.

Average customer rating:

Silent Flyer: Owls
R D Lawrence
Manufacturer: Key Porter Books Ltd ,Canada
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1550138448

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