Frank Furness: The Complete Works, Revised Edition [Paperback]

Jeffrey A. Cohen (Author), Michael J. Lewis (Author), George E. Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1996

Frank Furness is unquestionably the most unique and prolific American architect of the 19th century. An apprentice in the atelier of Richard Morris Hunt, Furness in turn became a mentor for Louis Sullivan, who brought Furness's distinctive style to the Midwest. Furness permeated Philadelphia architecture, ultimately shaping the present "Philadelphia School" centered around Louis Kahn and Robert Venturi.

Frank Furness: The Complete Works is the only exhaustive monograph on Furness's work. More than 640 projects are presented through over 600 photographs and drawings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The courage and confidence Furness brought to his architecture are palpable in this examplary tribute, especially through Robert Venturi's moving introduction and in four essays by George.E. Thomas....The best work ever done on this vigorous libertarian. Martin Filler, New York Times Book Review

This is a wonderful book because Frank Furness was a wonderful architect. Yet, surprisingly, many people still don't know the work of this American Gothic Revivalist who left his stamp all over Philadelphia. Julian Holder, Architects' Journal

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press; 2nd edition (December 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568980949
• ISBN-13: 978-1568980942
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,050,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overlooked No More, March 16, 2005

By 

B. Bradley (Media, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Frank Furness: The Complete Works, Revised Edition (Paperback)

An absolutely brilliant book about a phenomenal, vicacious architect, by a phenomenal, vivacious author. This work captures and depth and breadth of one of America's great architects and is the seminal work on a truly remarkable man. An absolute must for anymore interested in Victorian architecture and the evolution of taste and culture in America's past.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Quantity over Quality, October 24, 2003

By 

Edward J. Shannon, AIA (Elgin, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frank Furness: The Complete Works, Revised Edition (Paperback)

I picked up this book on a recent visit to Philadelphia. After seeing Furness' magnificent Academy of Fine Arts and U of Penn Library, I felt the need to get to know the architect and his seminal works better.

Although there are some scholarly essays in this book and it may be the best source available on this master architect, I must say I am disappointed that the authors chose to feature "more than 670 projects through 700 drawings and photographs". Does the student of Furness really need to know every single building the architect completed regardless of its design merit? Or would others and I be better served seeing his more seminal, and perhaps lesser-known quality buildings in a more in-depth manner? The book tantalizes the reader with 14 color plates, and then presents ALL of the architects work with old, grainy photographs in an often times confusing catalogue. Even the seminal works don't have the depth (plans, sections, details, recent photos) that would benefit the reader. This book is a missed opportunity.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Architect for Victorians, April 17, 2003

By 

Marci Brooke (Lancaster, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frank Furness: The Complete Works, Revised Edition (Paperback)

Obviously you enjoy architecture or you wouldn't be thinking of reading a review of this book. Think no further, buy the book. Frank Furness has been overlooked way too long and this book shows why in pictures and a nice overview of text why this mans work, and what is left of it, should be escalated to the heights of the finest.