Customer Reviews

Florida Architecture of Addison Mizner (Dover Architecture)

5 star:		(4)
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3 star:		(2)
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A thoughtful, and general overview of the work of this eclectic and influential resort architect. While the text is well written, the total lack of any siteplans, floorplans, and elevations cause this book to provide only a partial understanding of Mizner's work. All photos are black and white, and while this serves to keep the book modestly priced, it also severely limits the reader's enjoyment. Still, for the cost a worthwhile bargain.

I noticed the other review and felt it did not do this resourceful book as much justice as it deserves. My husband and I own a house designed by Addison Mizner, where we live half of the year. We had to renovate an entire back portion of our house to bring it back to the original design. During the 1980's a former owner did an odd renovation to a small portion of the house and a substantial addition to the house without respecting the original design. This book provided much insight into the original interiors & architectural details of Mizner's architecture. Two books by Donald Curl: Mizner's Florida: American Resort Architecture, and his other book, Palm Beach County: An Illustrated History were of extreme help and importance in renovating our house. Also, of great help in understanding Mizner's architecture was the large collection of archives available to the general public at the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Since Mizner supplied furniture to many of his clients it was wonderful to see photographs of many of the interiors in their original glory. When researching Addison Mizner's interiors I found the interior photographs in this book to be the most resourceful photographs of all books or archives that I could find. Also to note of much importance is that there are photographs of homes that have sadly been demolished. Thank God for the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach!

An important factor in the enjoyment of FLORIDA ARCHITECTURE OF ADDISON MIZNER, a 1992 softcover by Dover, is the realization that it is a republication of the 1928 book originally published by William Helburn, Inc. The 185 black & white photos by Frank E. Geisler and the Forward by Mizner's original Palm Beach patron, Paris Singer, is included. A new Introduction by Mizner authority, Donald W. Curl of Florida Atlantic University, gives a background of Mizner and work in Palm Beach and Boca Raton as well as an update on the fate of some of the properties. While it cannot be compared to the glossy coffee table books of today, this book is an invaluable Time Capsule look at the exclusive club houses, sensational private residences and remarkable retail centers by the legendary Mediterranean Revival architect Addison Mizner.

This is a good, historic representation of the life and work of Addison Mizner. The Author has made an excellent attempt to capture the style of the Designer. The book lacks any color photographs, drawings or elevations that is expected in a book dealing with Architecture. I imagine that there is a dearth of information on the Mizner available and some of his buildings no longer exist. It is a good book if you are really interested to learn about the beginnings of contemporary Florida architecture.

I love this book, there is just enough information for someone who is interested in Addison Mizner. This book contains no filler and is loaded front to back with black and white images taken almost a century ago. However, there is no floor plans or elevations of each property-there is hundreds of pictures capturing the elegant details and the "small details" that made these estates what they are today. I have several books about Palm Beach, Boca Raton that cost upwards of $150 but this one is more of a picture book rather than a written book.

Wonderful book filled cover to cover with vintage B&W photographs of the architecture of Addison Mizner. Photographs illustrate both exterior and interior shots of many of Mizner's structures. If you are a fan of Mizner's architecture, this book is a must have!