Palm Springs is as much a showcase for its unparalleled collection of Midcentury Modern architecture as it is for the unique people that designed and inhabit that architecture. With Palm Springs Modern Living; photographer James Schnepf has created a wonderful collection of photographs that document both the iconic architecture and fascinating people of this desert oasis. More than fifty modernists; artists; builders; and architects were interviewed; including such Midcentury Modern luminaries as Donald Wexler; William Krisel; and Hugh Kaptur; and their stories and anecdotes provide a perfect complement to Schnepf’s vivid photography. Together; they manage to bring Palm Springs to life in a way that most volumes of architectural photos could never hope to achieve.James Schnepf is a location photographer with an emphasis on people. He has photographed for a long list of America’s leading corporations and publications; and these assignments have taken him to all parts of the world. In his travels he has always kept an eye open for a climate and community to balance the cold winters of his family’s Midwest base. He and his wife; Christiane; found that place in California’s Coachella Valley; where they own a 1959 William Krisel–designed home.
#418927 in eBooks 2015-06-15 2015-06-15File Name: B010C7N4QC
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Some of our greatest artistic treasures are in national parks and cemeteries.By Timothy E. MasseyWhen we think of Andersonville. we tend to think of the suffering of long ago. and the rows and rows of grave markers. Only opened a year and a half before the war ended. over forty five thousand prisoners were held here at some point. Of this number. over thirteen thousand died in their horrid existence.One hundred and fifty years removed from the suffering and pain. we tend to gloss over the events of yesteryear. While Andersonville is a national cemetery. and a national park. it contains many monuments and sculptures. These reflect the sentiment of the Union supporters that began the effort in the 1890rsquo;s to make sure the nation never forgot. The beauty of the monuments and the story they tell is phenomenal.Todayrsquo;s society is more inclined to appreciate the art. than the story. This book does a wonderful job weaving it all together as a ldquo;story for the agesrdquo; unfolds. It tells how the monuments. which are now absolutely considered works of art. came to exist. The veterans and womenrsquo;s relief corps of the north worked tirelessly to see Andersonville brought to the forefront in the effort to save the memory of the struggle.The U.S. Army and Clara Barton identified the graves of those who had perished in Andersonville prison. As the promotions for the books says ldquo;the former prisoners expressed in granite their sorrow and gratitude for those who died or survived the prison camp.rdquo; States were asked to dedicate memorials honoring their sacrifice to the war. Many held contests offering up the design of that states monument. Artistrsquo;s and granite companies across the country participated.Southerners strongly resisted making Andersonville a park because they felt unfairly blamed for what happened there. They were right in their feelings. and the book looks at this side of the story. It gives us a glimpse that all prisoner of war camps during the Civil War were bad places no matter the side.The book brings forth the beautiful side of an ugly story. It takes the reader through the evolution from a land of suffering. and brings us to the modern pristine park. It has photographs throughout with descriptions and details of that photo. It gives great insight into the design of these monuments. There are accountings from the veterans who survived the events to tell their story.Stacy Reaves does a wonderful job telling the story of immortalizing Andersonville. This book belongs in your collection.
