Customer Reviews

Leisure Architecture of Wayne McAllister, The

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Nichols gives a nostalgic retrospective on the long live and prodigious output of Wayne McAllister. In no small part, the book walks the reader back through the last 60 years of urban commercial architecture in the southern California region. McAllister lived a very long time, and he was responsible for designing iconic landmarks that at least in the hazy afterglow of memory, epitomise a classic time.

The book is replete with many photos and illustrations, the cover being an example of the latter. The most common image, if not exactly the most enduring, is Bob's Big Boy. I remember in the early 80s, when I arrived in Los Angeles, how these fast food restaurants and their mascots were everywhere. Even getting a cameo role in Terminator. Alas, as the years wore on, the Bob's Big Boys got steadily deprecated. Not many left.

Another type of McAllister's work has also fallen into the tar pits of history. He designed many of the drive-ins that dotted Los Angeles. And which were an indelible part of many teenagers' experiences. Sadly, most are long gone, brought down by the VCR and its successors. At least in the book, you can see several as they once were, at the peak of their glory. Actually, no matter how pretty the architecture, the sound was often bad, the food dreadful, the movies second rate and the nearby cars often had loudmouths.

Great book. But for some readers old enough, there is a certain bittersweet tinge to all this.

Nichols presents an interesting look at many of the historic landmarks of Los Angeles and Las Vegas, painting the picture of times since forgotten. Being in my 20s, many of the landmarks I knew in name only, although I have seen and been to some, but in both cases, Nichols' book manages to evoke feelings of nostalgia and longing. The book is obviously painstakingly researched, and the sheer number of rare and hard-to-find photographs are enough to make any architecture or food history buff go ga-ga.

Very informative. As a teenager Bob's Big Boy in Toluca Lake was a hang out on Friday nights. Great burgers. Lo and behold in 1960 as a dancer I performed in a show at the El Rancho Vegas. It was during the Sands hey day and the shoot of "Ocean's Eleven". A few years later another show at the Tropicana Hotel again in Las Vegas which wasn't even mentioned in the book. Yes I'm a fan of Wayne's. I go as far back (not in age) as Agua Caliente when I did research on Hollywood moguls who built the race track and spa. Yes Rita Hayworth was discovered dancing there with her dad Eduardo Cansino. The movie "In Caliente" is a must have for McAllister lovers. Wayne's story is more than about architecture. It's about Americana. He is a treasure and so is the writer to so captures McAllister's essence.
However, as a historian and McAllister fan we need more in depth text and pictures about other landmarks other than Agua Caliente whose founders seemed to have dissapeared. or did they?
About the Flamingo Hotel. Words were given to the mob but not enough about Billy Wilkerson and the Hollywood Reporter or builder Del Webb and his own stock piling of building materials during wartime which enabled Bugsy to build the Flamingo Hotel (I performed there in 1966). The connection of all these men was gambling. These men started off-shore gambling (1912) with Baron Long whose famous nightery was a Rudolph Valentino hangout. One wonders if he in fact also needs a book.

If you're fascinated by Southern California and/or Vegas car oriented architecture, this book belongs in your library. It's a feast for the eyes, with lots of vintage illustrations, photos and postcards. I gave it 4 starts because the writing is not as good as the images. Although the author is clearly knowledgeable, the text is not well written and not particularly well organized. It's not always clear how much McAllister had to do with certain projects, nor do we get a clear biography of this creative visionary. However, it's definitely a worthwhile book and at the bargain price, a great value.

If you love the architecture of post-war America, then this is the book for you. I am a huge fan of Wayne McAllister's work and this book gives you the lens with which to view the progression of his buildings which began early on and literally exploded in the 1950's.

We all remember restaurants and hotels and some homes with this man's 'signature' all over them: rock exteriors, large sheets of glass, inset lighting, and brick planters. Some decry this look as cheap and tasteless. But in reality it wed form and function with a certain aesthetic quality that will never be duplicated.

Today, everything from buildings to cars all look alike. That 'certain something' is missing. Still, it is great to look back to a time when restaurants, hotels, motels, and cars looked cool. This book is a walk down memory lane and I return to it often. Well done, Chris Nichols!

If you are into architecture books, books about Vegas, 1950s car culture, or anything retro, this book will be one you enjoy. I really like it as a coffee table book, because it has great pictures, but it is also a great read and seems well researched.

Good story-telling that helped me understand and appreciate Wayne McAllister. An excellent reference that puts the architect's life and work in context without being pedantic nor superficial. Being a neophyte in the areas of architecture and design, I found it easy reading.

A facinating look back at some great landmark architecture from the mid century. A great time of dreams and design.
A good value and interesting book.

This book was a delight to read. The illustrations are beautifull and informative. The research that has been put into this book is of great value. This book is of great lasting value for Baja California history as well as California and Nevada.