EMPIRE STATE BUILDING: The Making of a Landmark [Hardcover]

John Tauranac (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 24, 1995

A fascinating combination of architecture and cultural history offers a comprehensive chronicle that captures the excitement and politics involved in the building of the Empire State Building, the technological breakthroughs of its construction, and more. 15,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When the 1250-foot Empire State Building opened in the Depression year of 1931, it was the world's tallest building. Today, though it ranks only fourth in the world, it retains a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers. Tauranac tells of the "odd couple" responsible for the ESB: millionaire John J. Raskob and his troubleshooter, Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York. Both had come from humble backgrounds and were progressive Irish Catholic Democrats who were pro-business and anti-prohibition. We are shown the frantic "race" for height with the neighboring Chrysler Building, also under construction, and how the ESB finally won out. Among the facts cited here about the ESB: it sits on the site of the original Waldorf Astoria hotel; its mast was designed to moor dirigibles; it has appeared in about 90 movies, including King Kong; it was only 50% rented until WWII; in heavy fog in 1945, a B-25 bomber crashed into it, killing 14; it has its own post office; and, virtually unique in Manhattan, its 13th floor is appropriately numbered. Tauranac (Essential New York) has written an informative and exciting biography of Manhattan's most famous building. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Surprisingly enough, the Empire State Building, "the world's greatest skyscraper" and formerly the world's tallest until the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center and Chicago's Sear's Tower took that distinction away, has never before received book-length treatment. Tauranac is a native of New York City and an accomplished architectural historian. He is the author of two previous books on the city's architecture, Essential New York (LJ 10/1/79. o.p.) and Elegant New York (Abbeville, 1985. o.p.). He has researched his subject thoroughly, even in the famous Avery Library Archive. His book covers almost all aspects of the great monument, from planning and conception through design and construction to the unfolding of its subsequent reputation. Anyone interested in architecture will find this book entertaining and informative. It is a welcome addition to book collections on skyscrapers, New York City, and Art Deco architecture.?Peter Kaufman, Boston Architectural Ctr.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Scribner (November 24, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684196786
• ISBN-13: 978-0684196787
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Building, Great Story, September 24, 2001

By 

Clifford Thomas (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Empire State Building: The Making of a Landmark (Paperback)

This is an excellent work that details the history of the Empire State Building. I was a bit surprised to find how much the author managed to pack into my paperback. Everything from skyscraper height restrictions to land leases and modern restructuring of ownership for tax purposes (and all the "interesting" stuff in between). If you buy this book and you're not from New York, do yourself a favor and get a map of the area. So you can follow along in the early chapters.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on the Empire State!, March 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Empire State Building: The Making of a Landmark (Paperback)

This book is the best book I've read on the building. It is very informative, and has many good pictures. There have been some quite well written books on the Empire State Building, but no other comes as close as John Tauranac's The Empire State Building, The making of a landmark.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good overview of the building's past and present, January 27, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Empire State Building: The Making of a Landmark (Paperback)

Fairly well written book, that can be roughly divided into three parts. The author knows and loves NY, and he loves its' history and buildings and other landmarks.

The first third includes a well-researched overview of the advent of skyscrapers in general, with emphasis on New York buildings. The economic factors at work and the arcana of NYC zoning laws are explained, but not tediously so. The author sets the stage well, and shows us his characters and what motivates them.

The second third describes the mechanics of constructing the building. Plenty of detail, good explanations.

The last third covers the history of the building from its' opening down to the present-day.