Frank Lloyd Wright: A Visual Encyclopedia

If there is an upside down Hollyhock picture it would be a glass design and extremely difficult to tell whether it is right side up or not. Do not let that very minor point distract you from a lovely FLW book. I look for lots of big color photos in such books. First, the book has nice size 12x9 or so, suited to display of Wright's visual architectural delights. Second, the book does have a 3/4" border of plain white page on most of the pages, which I prefer not to have as I really enjoy it when such books use as much of the page as possible for photos. Third, it's very helpful to have the homes listed and shown by state. That is rare amongst Wright picture books. Fourth, this is a very well put together book. The author presents info on possibly every single Wright building every built. Again, that is not common and I know cuz I'm a nut who bought about 50 of his books, used for costs sake, since I love his work so much. There is a back section focusing on Wright design. There is also a 4 page listing of 42 demolished Wright buildings, only 5 of which were built after 1914 and a 3 page Chronology of his life and work. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is I own a few 5 star books of his (Masterworks, Fallingwater) and my minor complaints about the book. However, overall, this book shines. It is informative, has good looking photos and being organized by homes in the various states gives the reader a real geographic perspective missing in almost all other Wright books. Looks like this book sells used for a generally low price. If yer reading this I assume it means yer into Wright books. IN that case, I'd jump on it if I were you. You'll be glad you did.

12 1/4" tall x 9 1/4". It's not really necessary to own both the paperback and the hardcover versions. One's plenty. Which do I prefer? The hardcover is sort of more stately, the paperback is a bit less formal feeling, but the content is exactly the same. In the end, I prefer having all the text without too much weight and that always means the paperback version. If you prefer hardcover, feel free, this is a tasty version. It does feel comprehensive, with a paragraph on each of the homes he designed. Thank goodness for the size. At 12" tall it can accomodate lots of big color photos. There's about 15 photos that fill the page and another 15 that cover both facing pages. Excellent usage of the size. There is a key system for the listings, Buildings: Private, Religious, Corporate, Public, Commercial or Civic. And keys for Textile Block, Solar Hemicycle, Usonian, Prairie, Demolished, Planned/never built, Remodeled/altered/reconstructed, Exposed concrete black, Desert rubblestone, General information. Once you get it down it does help identify these various categories more readily. There's a 56 page Chronology listing in the back that uses the key code plus distinguishes between houses built and plans or projects as well as some small photos. The information is comprehensive without being very in depth while also being quite interesting. Twenty-two structures do go into detail with about 4 to 10 pages each and numerous photos and extensive information. It really is an enjoyable book. I feel like I want to give it 4 1/2 stars because it doesn't feel like a masterpiece. But I'll gladly err on the side of 5 over 4 because it really does cover a wide range and I could keep reading it over years learning new things about his various buildings accompanied by very pleasant pictures almost all in color. [email protected]

It does feel comprehensive, with a paragraph on each of the homes he designed. Thank goodness for the size. At 12" tall it can accomodate lots of big color photos. There's about 15 photos that fill the page and another 15 that cover both facing pages. Excellent usage of the size. There is a key system for the listings, Buildings: Private, Religious, Corporate, Public, Commercial or Civic. And keys for Textile Block, Solar Hemicycle, Usonian, Prairie, Demolished, Planned/never built, Remodeled/altered/reconstructed, Exposed concrete black, Desert rubblestone, General information. Once you get it down it does help identify these various categories more readily. There's a 56 page Chronology listing in the back that uses the key code plus distinguishes between houses built and plans or projects as well as some small photos. The information is comprehensive without being very in depth while also being quite interesting. Twenty-two structures are with numerous photos and further information from about 4 to 10 pages each. It really is an enjoyable book. I feel like I want to give it 4 1/2 stars because it doesn't feel like a masterpiece. But I'll gladly err on the side of 5 over 4 because it really does cover a wide range and I could keep reading it over years learning new things about his various buildings accompanied by very pleasant pictures almost all in color. [email protected]

We collect books on FLW's work, and this one is particularly beautiful.

An encyclopedia gives brief information on a subject. This one is no different. Sometimes however, I was left wanting to know the significance of the work. What was it that stood out about Mr. Wright's accomplishment on a particular work. The pictures were very nice but left me craving more information and more detailed pictures of the same house or building. This book is a wonderful start and quick reference with good cross links higlighted in each description. You will be left wanting more information however.