The Saga of Sydney Opera House: The Dramatic Story of the Design and Construction of the Icon of Modern Australia [Hardcover]

Peter Murray (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415325218 | ISBN-13: 978-0415325219 | Publication Date: December 16, 2003 | Edition: 1

Peter Murray's compelling and highly readable biography of the building presents both sides of the story. Using previously unpublished files and papers, Murray has managed to unravel one of the most intriguing architectural controversies of recent times - what really happened when they built Sydney Opera House...

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Peter Murray presents a nicely balanced view of the controversies that have dogged this remarkable building. He has probably come closest to the real story of what happened in those years of struggle.' - CIOB International News

About the Author

Peter Murray trained as an architect and is a former editor of the RIBA Journal, co-founder of the design and architecture magazine Blueprint and Chairman of Wordsearch. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (December 16, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415325218
• ISBN-13: 978-0415325219
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,820,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ICON DOWN UNDER, April 13, 2006

By 

Shannon Deason (Houston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Saga of Sydney Opera House: The Dramatic Story of the Design and Construction of the Icon of Modern Australia (Paperback)

Everytime I see a picture of this building it never ceases to take my breath away: just a spectacular building. This book is fascinating, I really had no idea all the controversy involved in building this building, it just seems so perfect for its harbor perch. The images in this book are wonderful and the text is very interesting and easy to follow. I find it amazing that the architect has never actually seen his masterpiece, how does that happen? The design is brilliant and totally original. Every city wants an icon and Sydney is lucky enough to have two, this building and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and though each building is totally different in style, they are perfect foils for each other and they make the Sydney Harbor one of the most beautiful places on earth. Wonderful book on a spectacular building.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Complexities of Creativity, March 23, 2008

By 

Roy Abbott (Brainerd, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Saga of Sydney Opera House: The Dramatic Story of the Design and Construction of the Icon of Modern Australia (Paperback)

A tremendiious story about the complexities of creativity. As a retired architect, I bought the book because I realized that I was a little fuzzy about the details of the competition/design/construction. I knew the story of Saarinens pivitial role in the architect selection process, and I knew that Utzohn (the architect) resigned under pressure and did not finish the project. What I did not know, and the book makes clear, is that Utqon did not know how to finish the project, and the completed project does not meet the owners stated requirements. It is nevertheless a masterpiece that has served Sidney well and inspired millions. Strange stuff!