Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings on the West Coast have not been thoroughly covered in print until now. Between 1909 and 1959; Wright designed a total of 38 structures up and down the West Coast; from Seattle to Southern California. These include well-known structures such as the Marin County Civic Center and Hollyhock House in Los Angeles; and many lesser-known gems such as the 1909 Stewart House near Santa Barbara.MARK ANTHONY WILSON is an architectural historian who has been writing and teaching about architecture for more than thirty-five years. He holds a B.A. in history from UC Berkeley and an M.A. in history and media from California State University; East Bay. He has written four previous books about architecture; including Julia Morgan: Architect of Beauty (Gibbs Smith; 2007) and Bernard Maybeck: Architect of Elegance (Gibbs Smith; 2011). His articles have appeared in the New York Times; Los Angeles Times; San Francisco Chronicle; Christian Science Monitor; USA Today; and elsewhere. Mark lives in Berkeley; California; with his wife; Ann; and his daughter; Elena. With more than 200 photographs by veteran architectural photographer Joel Puliatti and 50 archival images (many of which have never been seen in print before); this comprehensive survey of Wright’s West Coast legacy features background information on the clients’ relationships with Wright; including insights gleaned from correspondence with the original owners and interviews with many of the current owners.
2014-07-21 2014-07-21File Name: B00M0DCVIO
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful autobiography and account of the early days of bluegrass and the Stanley BrothersBy Jamie J.This is a wonderful autobiography full of fascinating details and information about the early days of bluegrass and the Stanley Brothers in particular. It reads with all the colloquialisms you would expect from someone born and raised in the Appalachian mountains of Southwest Virginia; who had little formal education. His account was recorded and directly transcribed to print with few editorial changes. The struggles Ralph and Carter faced in forging their own sound in the early days of recorded music is also a look into our countrys history in the years after World War II when recorded music was in its infancy. Driving long distances over primitive roads to venues that paid very little; if anything all; was typical. The Stanley Brothers struggled financially; especially in the beginning; but the only alternative was the"dark coal mines" or subsistence farming. They might have broken up had they not been persistent with their dreams. Ralph quit "the road" twice; once to return home to farming; a profession for which he had little aptitude; the second time; he and Carter went to Detroit to work in the auto factories. They quickly returned to what they loved and had aptitude; which was music. Over the years; feuding with Flatt and Scruggs; who were much more successful commercially; was a continuing problem; along with Carters alcoholism; which would lead to his death in 1966. Over the years; Ralph and Carter argued over the question of whether to become more commercial or remain true to their mountain roots. Ralph won that argument but it wasnt until the movie; "O Brother Where Art Thou?" was released; with Angel Band and Man of Constant Sorrow; years after Carters death; that the public discovered the Stanley Brothers. Ralph finally reaped the financial rewards that eluded him for so many years. Today; those who love bluegrass music would agree that the Stanley Brothers were unequaled in singing and their songs have become part of the American Songbook. If you like the Stanley Brothers; you will love this book!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A very honest book about a great musician and decent mountain man.By Johan van de MerweIt reads like youre sitting next to Dr. Ralph Stanley and he is telling his life story. Although I am not always fond of self written biographies; for someone might leave the difficult subjects out; I did like this book very much. Dr. Stanley describes his life in the same way as he spoke. To me; but I am not an American; I really feel that someone of southern origin; really tells his life story in words like he is talking to you person to person. A very honest book about a great musician and decent mountain man.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Where the Mountains Meet the SkyBy Ken ByerlyI grew up on a farm in North Carolina; before I became a newspaper reporter and then a stockbroker; and in reading this book it seemed like I underlined something on every page. Things like: "Two Stanley brothers in front; three Clinch Mountain boys in back; and just enough gasoline for a round trip: thats how we made the miles in the early days."Ralph and Carter Stanley came down from the farm on Smiths Ridge in the deep; rolling hills of old Virginia and started on Farm and Fun Time on live radio back in the 1940s. Elvis came along in the 1950s; and television. A lot of things changed. The Stanley Brothers music stayed the same."I cant read a note of music and neither could Carter;" Ralph says in this book. "We always played by ear; same as everybody did in the mountains...Carter was such a wonderful and talented MC; he could please any kind of crowd...He was so used to speaking off the cuff. He never planned what he was going to say; just like we never planned our sets. We sung whatever we felt at the moment and whatever requests we got from the audience."But Carter took to drinking. "All I can tell you is over the years; it (alcohol) just kept tighening the grip on him; and there wasnt nothing I could do to unloose that grip." Carter died in 1966. Ralph carried on. A lot of musicians passed through his band. George Shuffler; Ralph writes; became like a third Stanley brother. Curley Ray Cline "could have more fun drinking a cup of coffee than a lot of people could have in a month." I saw Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys perform when Carter was still alive and Ive seen them many times since. Ralphs singing; that high; cracked voice; stays the same. "This music isnt about the notes you play; but the emotions you have;" he says. That kind of sums it up.I loved this book; but set it down with sadness. No one plows behind a mule any more. Everybody watches the same awful television shows. Kids dont grow up like we did; working the fields; swimming in the creek; coming in at noon to listen to hillbilly music on the radio. Its a time thats gone and wont come back. The musicians who came off those mountain farms soon will soon be gone too.But the music remains; and country roads; and those misted hills of home.Ken Byerly; author of Mountain Girl and other books.
