The Architecture of Ralph Adams Cram and His Office (Hardcover)

by Ethan Anthony (Author)
Key Phrases: post headquarters, office reprint, academic architecture, Ferguson Archive, New York, Ralph Adams Cram (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
One splendid book. (Denver Catholic Record, George Weigel) REVIEW: Handsomely illustrated....Anthony's unparalleled access to the firm's records accounts for the insightful quality of the writing. (Ecclesiology Today, Hilary Grainger) REVIEW: Profusely illustrated volume...bequeaths the whole of the man's kaleidoscopic output to a new generation of architects. (First Things, Matthew Alderman)

Review
Handsomely illustrated....Anthony's unparalleled access to the firm's records accounts for the insightful quality of the writing.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co. (April 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393731049
• ISBN-13: 978-0393731040
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #714,790 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Seriously Flawed, May 1, 2007

By	B. Smith (richmond, virginia USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

From the front cover of a building at Rice University not even by Cram, well the foreground arch is, to the many factual errors this book is rather a disappointment. The rather short Cram biography which opens the book adds not much to our understanding of Cram, and the errors begin here, from Cram being received into the "Anglican Communion of the Catholic Church" to the description of the Oxford Movement as a renwal movement in the Catholic Church after the Catholic Emancipation in England. The author dismisses previous works by Shand-Tucci, which at least gave us a three-dimensional person, even if controversial, and Shand-Tucci certainly understood the religious aspect of Cram's art. This intro biography is rather like an encyclopedia article. What makes the book worthwhile is the chronological review of the firm's work through presentation drawings and archival photos. There are some missing buildings which it would have been nice to see covered, and St John the Divine doesn't actually merit any photographs, just a few drawings. The captions to the photos are cursory and some are labeled incorrectly i.e. a photo of Bodley's model for Washington Cathedral identified as a model of Cram's for a DC Presbyterian Church. The chapel for Holy Cross in West Park as being for the Society of St John the Evangelist. Really fundamental things which should have been caught in editing. None of Cram's decorative works are really covered, and there seems to be little understanding of Cram's deep faith being the underpinning of all his art. There are errors in the projects list as well which don't warrant discussing here. It would have been nice to see some color photos, of which there are none. I would recommend buying this book only for the coverage of some lesser known works, as it's not terribly expensive, but all in all it is not a book which adds to our understanding of Cram and being by the President of Cram's firm it is rather lacking.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very valuable view of a forgotten architect, May 14, 2007

By	David W. Scudder (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book concentrates on the architecture of Cram, a neo-gothic master who at one time was ranked among our most important architects. Responsible for the campuses of much of Princeton and Rice, as well as the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NY, Cram was a crucial exponent of the gothic tradition. While the book is somewhat short on its subject's life, it does full justice--both in words and pictures--to the architecture.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars GREAT ARCHITECT, LAZY BOOK, June 9, 2007

By	Shannon Deason "SchylarRex" (Houston) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I could not agree more with the reviewer above, he nails this very mediocre book and I totally agree on the cover shot, looking through Crams fabulous Lovett Hall at the horrible John Staub designed Fondren Library. I mean, where are all the great images of Crams work, where is all the insight from this author that is suppose to be an authority on Cram. Ralph Adams Cram was a singular talent and deserves better than this poorly done tome. In a word: DISAPPOINTING.