Empire State Building: When New York Reached for the Skies (Wonders of the World Book) (Hardcover)

by Elizabeth Mann (Author), Alan Witschonke (Illustrator), Lewis Hine (Photographer) "On October 1, 1929, Alfred E. Smith joked with the reporters gathered on the roof of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel at the corner of 34th Street..." (more)
Key Phrases: skyscraper boom, foundation hole, mooring mast, Empire State Building, New York City, Chrysler Building (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8-Mann's exploration of this New York City icon will capture the imaginations of report writers and general readers alike. The book begins with a discussion of the ambitious plan of two New Yorkers to build the tallest skyscraper and the architectural advances that made this 86-floor building possible. The author covers the competition that resulted from the simultaneous construction of the Chrysler Building, the real story behind the dirigible mast, and the speed of the construction. Labeled, full-page color illustrations help explain concepts. A captioned gatefold details design elements and gives a sense of the incredible height of the building. Numerous black-and-white pictures throughout the volume, and in a month-by-month sequence of photos, depict the construction process. The book concludes with photographs of significant events since the skyscraper's construction, a page of fast facts, a brief glossary, and a map of New York City locating the building. An ideal resource for classes working on architectural projects and a top choice for general reading.-Delia Fritz, Mercersburg Academy, PA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 3-8. This addition to the Wonders of the World Books series introduces the history of the famous skyscraper, which was begun in 1929 at the start of the Great Depression. Mann explains how the new construction techniques and use of steel instead of cast iron made very tall buildings both possible and practical, and introduces two men, Al Smith and John Raskob, whose talent and determination led to the success of the building venture. Mann writes clearly and concisely, never sacrificing the drama of the story. Smith and Raskob's endeavors to ensure that their structure surpassed the Chrysler Building and a description of an ill-fated attempt to land dirigibles on the 102d floor deck add elements of human interest. Period photos and Witschonke's full-color artwork add much to the text. Particularly impressive are the labeled paintings showing stages of the construction and the four-page foldout of the completed building. A selection of fast facts, a glossary, and a bibliography are appended. An appealing book for browsers and report writers alike. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Mikaya Press (October 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931414068
• ISBN-13: 978-1931414067
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #877,567 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #37 in

  Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Civil > Steel Design

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a modern metaphor for money and ego, April 11, 2008

By	Judy K. Polhemus "Book Collector" (LA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Empire State Building: When New York Reached for the Skies (Wonders of the World Book) (Paperback)

There they are--hugging the walls of the hallway, eight silver cases, taller than I am, which open out into triptyches of a reader's delight--so many books. Cartons of books are piled on top of these treasure mines. On my way to work in After School Care, I found a chair, opened nearly all the cartons before I found a book to look at (games, artsy products, science kits were in those boxes). I am the librarian, thus in charge of our semi-annual Book Fair. I wanted just one book to look at for now. Tomorrow I set up this wonderland of books!

"Empire State Building" is the book from the carton--and what a great topic. Equal in feat and imagination to anything the ancient world built, this modern Wonder of the World is awesome. Alfred E. Smith, presidential aspirant to the office, and John J. Raskob, a private businessman, pooled sources to build the tallest skyscraper in existence.

Filled with all kinds of tidbits of information, this book relates the history of the building of the Empire State Building from inception through completion. After manufacturing made so many men rich, they tried to outdo each other in building the tallest skyscraper. The final competition came down to Walter Chrysler and Smith/Raskob. Who won, why, and how makes a clever little story.

What made possible the building of these really tall skyscrapers was steel. The walls of the first multi-storied buildings were weight-bearing and had to be built thicker and thicker at the base. The substitution of steel as the framework made skyscrapers possible. Another tidbit is the work supplied by the Mohawk Indians from New York and Canada. It became a new tribal position: that of future riveter.

There were 3500 workers on site every day doing sixty kinds of jobs. Only six people died during construction which began in late 1929. There are a total of 86 floors at 1050 feet. Windows number at 6,500 in the whole building; elevators number 64.

Only the Sears Tower in Chicago is taller than the Empire State Building.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Winner!, July 28, 2004

By	Jammie Marie Schulte "Jammie Marie Schulte" (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews

Review By Robert Young, Lane ESD
www.lane.k12.or.us/bookreview

Part of the Wonders of the World Books series, this title tells the story of the creation of one of America's most enduring symbols: the Empire State Building. From the demolition of the Waldorf-Astoria in 1929 to the completion of the Empire State Building that took its place in 1931, the book clearly chronicles the events in the creation of the world's tallest building at the time. Large, color illustrations as well as historical black and white photographs add another dimension to the text. An excellent large-format book could have been made even better by adding interesting details in sidebars along the way. A winner!