Architecture and sociology have been fickle friends over the past half century: in the 1960s; architects relied on sociological data for design solutions and sociologists were courted by the most prestigious design schools to lecture and teach. Twenty years later; at the height of postmodernism; it was passe to be concerned with the sociological aspects of architecture. Currently; the rising importance of sustainability in building; not to mention an economical crisis brought on in part by a real-estate bubble; have forced architects to consider themselves in a less autonomous way; perhaps bringing the profession full circle back to a close relationship with sociology. Through all these rises and dips; Robert Gutman was a strong and steady voice for both architecture and sociology. Gutman; a sociologist by training; infiltrated architectures ranks in the mid-1960s and never looked back. A teacher for over four decades at Princetons School of Architecture; Gutman wrote about architecture and taught generations of future architects; all while maintaining an "outsider" status that allowed him to see the architectural profession in an insightful; unique way.
#1246700 in eBooks 2007-04-17 2007-04-17File Name: B0080K4DW8
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. THE STORY OF AN ARTISTBy J. Carter JosephFor the past year. I have fallen deeply in love with the work of Peggy Lee. and have decided that she just may very well be the greatest of all American pop singers. "Fever" is a compulsively readable biography of this great artist. warts and all. and I devoured it within four days.The book is comprehensive. incisive. and extremely well-written. The only thing it lacks are photographs. but those are are available everywhere on the internet.This biography traces her life and her astonishing career.from abused young girl to budding enthusiastic singer. to successful entertainer and artist. to cultural icon and beyond. Particularly endearing are portraits of her fellow musicians.Peggy Lee occupies a unique place in American popular music. and her work embraced nearly all styles of the last century. Even after her bright instrument went into decline. her artistry never faltered. and her peers recognized this.If you admire this woman. you must read this book.7 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Recalling the GeneralBy Samuel C.Richmond eloquently makes the case for Peggy Lee as one of most important interpreters of the "Great American Songbook." and some overstatement is probably in order for an artist remembered by many as little more than a sexy. breathy and sultry pop singer. But a reader might question whether the author really serves his subject well by insisting on her pre-emininent place among all female jazz singers. It would seem he could do Peggy more justice by arguing that she deserves a place close to if not alongside Ella. Sarah. and Lady Day (not to mention Carmen McRae. Nancy Wilson. Dinah Washington. Anita ODay. Rosemary Clooney).The author doesnt pretend to be a music critic. but his training as a sports writer is occasionally limiting. For example. concerning "The Shining Sea." a recording that some Lee fans (including this one) consider her own most luminescent moment. Richmond tells the story behind the songs composition and production but doesnt attempt to account for the sublimity of the performance itself or for the loss of that magic "cushion" of breathiness that eluded the singer when she reprised these songs on her last recordings. The musical coverage can be frustratingly uneven. making no mention of Peggys own gem (covered by Nat Cole). "Where Can I Go Without You?" or her very last recording (better than "Therell Be Another Spring"). And what about her decision to keep singing "Manana" when PC policing was in full force?Nevertheless. Richmonds study demonstrates that Peggy Lee was not only a strong-willed. alluring. needful and complex woman with an inimitable personal sound but a complete musician and composer. sensitive interpreter of lyrics. and immensely gifted vocalist. whether singing big band swing. torchy ballads. introspective lyrics. or bracing proclamations. But she was also. especially when it came to her art. a relentless if unforgiving perfectionist. In fact. her need to be in "control" may have been a double-edged sword. accounting for much of her achievement but also serving to limit it.In jazz. the most noteworthy performances--those extemporaneous moments bearing what Whitney Balliett called "the sound of surprise"--have come from the performers whose talents frequently allowed them to throw caution to the winds and simply avail themselves of a serendipitous muse. Peggys was a far more obedient. refined muse and. though distinctively original. rarely falling below or rising above expectations. (Her inspired session for Decca--"Black Coffee"--is certainly a felicitous exception. For Sinatra. Ella and Sarah. on the other hand. such "exceptions" were the rule.)Richmond offers no small amount of armchair psychoanalyzing. and most of its admittedly tantalizing. though the emphasis on her "hypochondria" seems overdone (doggone it. some people are just chronically ill). But the focus on her Norma Egstrom/Peggy Lee split is highly provocative. The evidence would suggest that--like Dietrich. Mae West. Monroe--she remained trapped in the Lee totem. A chilling anecdote by an admirer about her response to his "daring" to excuse himself from the presence of that royal persona as well as her own request to be maintained on life support attest to a quasi-megalomania about one identity and deep insecurity about the other. Perhaps understandably so--would the admirer have even been attracted to Norma Egstrom? Would we?Theres no denying that this is a fascinating read if not a page-turner. Most importantly. it will have you going back to Lees old recordings and scouting out new ones. very likely making some discoveries not mentioned by the author. At that level. the book is five big stars.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. It Sizzles!By Jean CalvertMiss Peggy Lee has never been in better hands. Insightful. detailed look into the life of this iconic woman of jazz. I know a lot about Peggy. but there was still new information in it for me. A great read! I used it as reference for my TEDx presentation about her on March 22. 2013.
