Breaking Ground: An Immigrant's Journey from Poland to Ground Zero

Breaking Ground: An Immigrant's Journey from Poland to Ground Zero
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Only an idiot can be brilliant at breakfast

Breaking Ground

A riveting summation of Libeskind's philosophies.

An Architect's Unmanly Behavior

Complete Rubbish

Breaking Ground: An Immigrant's Journey from Poland to Ground Zero
Daniel Libeskind
Manufacturer: Riverhead Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

More than a memoir. An autobiography of architecture, culture, and people.

One of the most influential architects of our time recounts an extraordinary life-from his childhood in post-war Poland as the son of Holocaust survivors to his controversial and dramatic recounting of the designing of the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center.

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"The renowned architect introduces his iconoclastic approach to public space and shares his vision for the most important architectural project of our time, the 1776 Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center site. Drawing on his uncommon background and global perspective, in Breaking Ground Daniel Libeskind explores ideas about tragedy and hope, and the way in which architecture can memorialize-and reshape-human experience. Born in 1946 to Holocaust survivors in Poland, Daniel Libeskind eventually emigrated to New York City in 1959. A virtuoso musician before studying architecture, Libeskind has designed iconic buildings around the world, including the Jewish Museum Berlin and the Imperial War Museum in Manchester, England. In February 2003, Libeskind was chosen as the Master Plan Architect for the World Trade Center reconstruction. Full of the vitality, humor, and visionary spark that helped win him the Trade Center Commission, Breaking Ground invites readers to see architecture-and the larger world-through new perspectives."

Customer Reviews:

Only an idiot can be brilliant at breakfast.......2007-04-04

Libeskind proves in this personal account of his life that living dangerously has his rewards. He describes his endless struggles with authorities, bureaucrats in Berlin, New York and so on. He tells marvellous tales of taking a stand in architecture, how architecture and good design can add value to a city. But his life in architecture is an adventurous one. He won the commission for the Jewish Museum in Berlin just by good luck and an ambitious wife. Libeskind received too late the invitation to take part in the architectural competition. His wife succeeded by sheer thougness in nominating him for the contest and eventually he won. His struggle for the World Trade Center commission is a tough one. Larry Silverstein is his main opponent. Libeskind can never be confident about the outcome of this fight. Why insist on theoretical books on architecture when such personal accounts are available? Libeskind pleads for architecture with heart and soul. I liked this book tremendously and would like to recommend the book to every student of architecture. Just to learn that architecture is about winning competitions as much as about designing. Libeskind cites Einstein: Only an idiot can be brilliant at breakfast. Libeskind could have written this beautiful book during breakfast.

Luuk Oost

Breaking Ground.......2007-01-10

Daniel Liebskind designed the new wing of my local (Denver) art museum, and to coincide with its opening, my book club chose to read "Breaking Ground." In reading the book I was expecting to gain a little insight into who this man is and possibly how he came up with some of his ideas. But I never expected to find that he is a very good writer, incredibly well-read, and to learn of the amazing thought processes behind his designs (e.g. the Twin Towers Memorial among others world-wide). It was a wonderful surprise and a book I will read again some day.

A riveting summation of Libeskind's philosophies........2006-08-29

I purchased this book after attending a lecture of Daniel Libeskind's at my University. Daniel is one of the most sought after architects of the twenty-first century, for good reason. I found his writing style to be intelligent and concise, with moments of sheer brilliance. This book is a quick read for those familiar with Libeskind's work and the famous architects of today. There seems to be a distinct polarity in the reviews of whether one "gets" Libeskind's work or does not. His literal translations of idea and emotion into space are at times discomforting. The projects he has chosen often revolve around tragedy and loss, and much of the substance of his design process is esoteric and abstract to those not familiar with his background. Music, harmony, space and art seem to flow together in his composition with a certain logical order and reason. I recommend this book to any architect or student interested in the intangible qualities of design.

An Architect's Unmanly Behavior.......2006-08-03

You could be forgiven for thinking that `Breaking Ground' was written by a four-year old who had his favorite toy taken from him and has never gotten over it. This biography manages to emphasize it's author's weaknesses and insecurities more than it highlights any positive aspects of the life recorded. Author, Daniel Libeskind, airs many old grievances and seems hell-bent on boastfully proclaiming one-upmanship at any opportunity. He begins by telling a story about beating Itzhak Perlman in a musical competition when both were children. It may be honest trivia, but it sets a tone for the self-praise that is the book's most constant and ultimately most disturbing trait

The enormity of Libeskind's ego is matched only by the scale of his resentment towards everyone else. Libeskind's most severe criticisms are saved for fellow architects, all of whom he holds in especially low regard. In Daniel's mind, he is an architect without peers. Of architect (and Ground Zero competitor), Peter Eisenman, Libeskind says with evident venom that, "No one ever called him (Eisenman), a mensch!" It is a curious comment from Libeskind who is hardly a poster boy for masculinity himself.

In fact, as the book proceeds, it becomes clear that it is Daniel's wife and business partner, Nina, who wears the jockstrap around the Libeskind household. Whenever the going gets tough, and some recalcitrant client or municipality challenges one of Daniel's designs, it is Nina who flexes her biceps and steps in to do the heavy lifting. Daniel pits his mammoth ego against all comers, and might even blubber with rage, but usually he just resorts to "storming out of the room", a tactic he records frequently throughout his book. Unfortunately, the Libeskinds are not about building consensus or about listening to others, so most of their projects becomes embroiled in time-consuming controversy.

Most disappointingly, Libeskind fails to see the humanity of the world outside himself. The Ground Zero commission becomes just another opportunity to do some more bragging and to whittle away at the reputations of people he could have learned something from. `Breaking Ground' never becomes the inspirational memoir that it could have been. If you want a book about a true post-911 hero, you'll need to bypass `Breaking Ground' and try General Tommy Franks' recent biography instead. `American Soldier" is the story of a real man, one who fights his battles face-to-face, and doesn't need to hide behind a pen. And what a difference having some testosterone makes!!

Complete Rubbish.......2006-07-22

I came across a pile of these books remaindered for 10 cents and figured - "Well, you can't go wrong for a dime, Right?" - WRONG!! What a load of rubbish this book is. Pomposity and egotism on every page. Libeskind's love affair with himself is not worth the paper it is written on ... not even at 10 cents a copy! This one goes straight into the recycle bin.

Breaking Ground: An Immigrant's Journey from Poland to Ground Zero

Average customer rating:

Breaking Ground: An Immigrant's Journey from Poland to Ground Zero
Daniel Libeskind
Manufacturer: Riverhead Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MQ6UCY

Book Description

This book and its companion volume are the first in English to survey the entire range of Scandinavian glass companies and designers. Their beautiful glass has spawned one of the hottest collecting fields today. The volumes are divided by color, with the dark tones of Smoke and the clear crystal of Ice included in this book. Each volume has hundreds of color photographs chronicling the creations that arose out of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway. Together these nations were responsible for producing some of the most extraordinary glass of the 20th century. Here is the high quality designer glass produced by skilled teams of glassmakers working at Orrefors, Kosta, iittala, Nuutajarvi, Riihimaki, Hadeland, Strombergshyttan, and Johansfors led in technical virtuosity and design innovation. Designers such as Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva, Vicke Lindstrand, Edward Hald, Nanny Still, Erik Hoglund, and dozens of others contributed more to 20th-century factory glass production than any group outside of Italy. With detailed captions, signatures and labels, company histories, designer biographies, a comprehensive bibliography, index, and price guide, this book along with its companion volume Fire & Sea will surely become the standard reference on Scandinavian glass and essential for collectors, dealers, researchers, curators, and anyone interested in modern design.

Scandinavian Ceramics & Glass: 1940S to 1980s (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

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Scandinavian Ceramics & Glass: 1940S to 1980s (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
George Fischler , and Barrett Gould
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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During the second half of the twentieth century, Scandinavian potters and glassmakers drew on elements present in China and Japan during the period of the Sung Dynasty to produce pieces of beauty and elegance that combined subtle glazes and classical shapes. Scandinavian design combined the fundamentals of craftsmanship, quality, subtlety, and a relationship to the natural surroundings. With 390 color photographs to illustrate the work, this book is a must for the ceramics and glass collector as well as those who appreciate the results of a collaboration between artist and nature. Concentrating on designs produced in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland following World War II, the book presents the works of ceramics companies such as Rorstrand, Gustavsberg, Arabia, Saxbo, and Palshus, as well as the glass of Orrefors, Kosta, and Iittala. Designs by some of the greatest names in contemporary Scandinavian ceramic and glass design, including Berndt Friberg, Stig Lindberg, Gunnar Nyland, Wilhelm Ka**ge, Edvard Hald, Sven Palmquist, Tapio Wirkala, Timo Sarpeneva, and Vicke Lindstrand, will be appreciated by all students of twentieth century design. The guide to current prices will please the collector.

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Scandinavian Art Pottery: Denmark and Sweden

Average customer rating:

Satisfied reader from Scandinavia
More appropriately titled: My Danish Art Pottery collection
great introduction to Scandinavian art pottery

Scandinavian Art Pottery: Denmark and Sweden
Robin Hecht
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
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Book Description

Scandinavian art pottery, long appreciated regionally, has enjoyed a rediscovery by international collectors over the past five years. Using almost 500 dramatic color photos, this book explores the major factories, workshops, and studios that initiated and created ceramic modernism in Scandinavia, including Royal Copenhagen, Saxbo, Kahler Keramiks, Ipsen, Gustavsberg, and Tobo. Also recounted are brief histories of Denmark and Sweden's most influential designers, including Patrick Nordstrom, Axel Salto, Nils Thorsson, Cathinka Olsen, Gertrud Vasegaard, Josef Ekberg, and Gunnar Nylund. Written by a recognized expert in the field, this long anticipated book provides well researched, up-to-date information on the factories and ceramicists that collectors are most interested in, plus accurate information on marks, dating, and values. Clearly photographed and written, this essential reference will provide collectors with the knowledge necessary to enhance and build unique and valuable collections of some of the finest art pottery ever created.

Customer Reviews:

Satisfied reader from Scandinavia.......2007-03-08

This is the best available introduction to Danish and Swedish pottery that I know of. Especially the chapters on "Royal Copenhagen", "Saxbo" and "Arne Bang" are excellent. The material on Swedish pottery are not at all that good but still O.K.

More appropriately titled: My Danish Art Pottery collection.......2000-12-25

I'll begin by stating that I am an avid collector with extensive knowledge of Scandinavian studio art pottery. And while I don't consider myself necessarily and authority on the topic, I'm not writing a book on it either. I found Hecht's book informative on some levels and largely misinformative or under-informative on others. The information gathered here filled a gap in collector's books that was long overdue. It is unfortunate, however, that this book is littered with very poor and inaccurate references to its topic. It contains either false, nebulous or no reference at all to some pottery marks and their meanings & rarity. Some of the most significant factories and artists are often barely touched on or left out completely while several pages will be devoted to others that are comparatively far less significant. I also found that of those artists featured, many have no reference to their most representative work. Not to mention, 3/4 of the book is devoted to Danish work, with the last afterthought 1/4 to Sweden, which is, in my opinion, diametrically allocated. And as for values, I don't know where these came from -- some are strangely through the roof while the very few absolute hottest collectible artists will be strangely undervalued. I hate to think that the author is providing this to help sell her own collection at terribly inflated values alongside her Fleetwood Mac albums and tour buttons on eBay while picking up the best pieces at lower prices. Some of us are not fooled.

great introduction to Scandinavian art pottery.......2000-03-26

I'm not a collector of pottery of any kind. I saw this book at a friend's and started reading it. The history of the pottery houses and different genres are very well explained here and it's a compelling read. I was able to even see styles and artists that matched my sensibilities. Overall, I learned something new and saw many pieces of art pottery that I enjoy. I understand why Scandinavian art pottery is so collectable now.

Book Description

This volume brings to life Marco Polo's 13th-century legendary expedition from Italy to China and his homeward sea journey via Sumatra and India. During a three-year assignment for National Geographic Michael Yamashita, one of the most famous and brilliant travel photographers, has followed in Marco Polo's footsteps capturing spectacular images throughout two continents, from Venice to the famous Marco Polo Bridge near Beijing. This beautifully illustrated book is a sort of visual journey that, thanks to the evocative texts by the historian Gianni Guadalupi and a selection of maps, recreates the incredible experiences of Marco Polo, who crossed the deserts of Asia and ventured into distant Cathay.

Customer Reviews:

marco polo a photographers journey.......2007-01-16

Good photos and details. Purchased as a gift for my wife and she is totally pleased

Marco Polo: A Photographer's Journey.......2006-11-10

Very facinating. I've always been interested in Marco Polo, as has the author. He really leads you through the journey and makes you wonder at the courage Marco Polo had for his travels.

Book Description

Kit includes: the full 152 page book How To Draw Anime & Game Characters Vol 1, five sheets of 8 1/2x11 3/4 (also know as A4 size) authentic manga illustration paper, one "Heo-Piko" color marker from Japanese manga supply experts Deleter, one 5x7 patterned Screen Tone sheet from Deleter, one Tone Hera - a tool for helping to apply the tone sheet to your art, an 8-inch plastic ruler emblazoned with the HTDM logo, one How To Draw Manga logo pencil, and a durable, hard plastic case, perfect for storage or travel! The ultimate set for aspiring anime artists of all ages!

Customer Reviews:

good for the beginner artist.......2007-01-15

Bought it as a Christmas present for someone who loves anime....it helped her improve the skills she already had drawing.

Book Description

New York City. The largest school district in the United States of America. An overwhelming sea of humanity. People of all cultures, races, creeds, and ethnicities come together in these five boroughs. Some have come to pursue the American dream, some are simply struggling to survive. But, the reality is, the over 1.1 million students who walk through the doors of the New York City public schools every morning are not so different from others all across the nation. This is the story of my first year teaching in New York City. Far away from the bright lights of Broadway in Manhattan, I rolled up my sleeves and began to work in the Bronx. These are my experiences and these children are our future.

Customer Reviews:

You Should Read This Book.......2004-07-05

I really enjoyed reading this book. Once I saw that it was endorsed by Pat Riley, I new this would be a great book!!!

The stories in this book made me laugh, cry, and really care about Emily and her classroom. I commend Emily for making the committment to going into the inner-city to teach kids that many of us never think about. What a brave women she must be.

I feel this should be a required read for anyone who is either in the education field, or entering the education field. The format of this book would make it perfect for college students to read and discuss.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the future of our children, because we are all educators, reguardless of what we do for a living.

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