Customer Reviews

Cass Gilbert, Life and Work: Architect of the Public Domain

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"Cass Gilbert, Life and Work: Architect of the Public Domain" had the potential to be the definitive book on an architect whose work is only recently come back into favor. For decades, his buildings have been derided; this book places Gilbert back where he belongs as an important figure in American architecture. "Cass Gilbert" backs this up with numerous photographs and architectural renderings of his structures in their prime, before the neglect many of them were subjected too. I did not find "Cass Gilbert" an enjoyable read, however. This has to do with the numerous authors. I believe that there was little communication between them as several chapters cover the same buildings and timeperiods. While architectural writing has never been the most enthralling type of writing, some of the authors are dry, bland, and unreadable even by architectural writing standards.

I would still recommend this book as it is the only complete look at Cass Gilbert's entire work widely available, and it is filled with many great photographs and renderings.