Frank Lloyd Wright: The Masterworks
by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer
Wright For The Novelist
This extraordinary book presents thirty-eight of the most renowned and
significant buildings of Americas premier architect, from his early Prairie
work in Oak Park, Illinois, in the 1890s to his daring creations of the 1940s
and 1950s.
In entirely new photographs taken especially for this book by two leading
architectural photographers under the direction of co-editor David Larkin,
such internationally famous buildings as the Solomon R. Guggenheim
Museum and Fallingwater and Wrights homes Taliesin, Taliesin West, and
the Oak Park Home and Studio are seen afresh, benefiting from the
photographers special access.

Several lesser-known residences, such as Auldbrass Plantation in South
Carolina, an array of wooden buildings that is Wrights American alternative
to antebellum architecture, the William H. Winslow house in River Forest,
Illinois, one of the architects earliest and most surprisingly decorative
houses, and the Kenneth Laurent house in Rockford, Illinois, a masterful
curvilinear design, are seen in full color and demonstrate dimensions of
Wrights work less often seen before. Public buildings, such as the dramatic
concrete, glass, and steel Marin County Civic Center and Beth Sholom
Synagogue show Wright as engineering virtuoso as well as creative
architect. In addition to these existing masterworks, only the most famous
of which are open to the public, the book covers buildings that have been
demolished, notably the Larkin Company Administration Building, Midway
Gardens, and the Imperial Hotel, which are represented here by drawings
and rich archival photographs.
Each of the buildings is presented from conceptual sketch, plan, or
drawing to finished masterwork, and each is accompanied by an in-depth
essay detailing the development of the work. Extensive quotes from
Wrights writings, unpublished talks, and private letters to the clients give
valuable insight into the architects own thinking about each commission.
Never before has Wrights architecture been presented so elaborately in
one volume.
Personal Review: Frank Lloyd Wright: The Masterworks by
Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer
I've seen a lot of books on Wright over the years, and read a number of
them, but for sheer enjoyment and the celebration of his work, this work is
the best I've seen. It strikes the best balance between the photos and text,
but the photos are truly magnificent and worth the price of the book by
themselves. Much of the information, as another reviewer has commented,
is available in other books on Wright, so there might not be that much new
here for the Wright expert, but for those not steeped in Wright scholarship,
this book is as good as any to learn about his architecture, philosophy, and
life. Thirty-eight of Wright's most important buildings are covered, equally
divided between his private and public buildings. Overall, probably the best
single book out there on Wright to gain an understanding and appreciation
of his work for the general reader.
By the way, just today we toured Taliesen, in Phoenix, AZ. It's a great tour
if you ever get to the area and are a fan of Wright's buildings. Perhaps
that's why I was inspired to write the review. :-)
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