Bertram Goodhue: His Life And Residential Architecture Review

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(More customer reviews)Written by Pamela Skewes-Cox in EDEN, Vol. 10 No. 2, Summer 2007. Permission to reprint granted by the California Garden & Landscape History Society
Romy Wyllie's newly released book Bertram Goodhue; His Life and Residential Architecture, published by W.W Norton and Company, Inc., is an engaging and well researched investigation into the life and work of one of the most talented and productive architects practicing in the U.S. at the turn-of-the-last-century. In a highly readable text Wyllie provides an analysis of 26 of Goodhue's most comprehensive commissions, as well as a description of the lives and excessive tastes of his clients. The author also tracks the progression of Goodhue's style - including his eventual break from tradition - and weaves all into a deft portrait of both the man and the artist.
Wyllie's research benefited greatly from the abundance of archival materials that have been carefully preserved by the Goodhue family and by academic institutions. However, it takes exceptional talent and perseverance to weed out the best of it. Wyllie has done just that. For example, Bertram Goodhue ( 1869-1924) was a prolific letter writer who wrote articulately about himself and others. Wyllie takes careful advantage of her sources, using them wisely to give a particular richness to the narrative. In a speech to his staff at the 1922 Twelfth-Night party, he says:
"I can't begin to tell you how fond I am of every member of the office force, - how much I value them all, and their various abilities. Of this force I am but one, a man-in-a-blouse, so to speak, with this difference; that I have the power of veto. I believe it makes for happiness that men's work should be interesting and not always mere work.... And everybody is free to differ with me in my solution of any given problem .... I often come back to find my own solution drawn out, with another, and distinctly better one, alongside."
[From "Twelfth-Night in Mr. Goodhue's Office", Pencil Points 3, no.2 (February 1922): 26]
The reader comes away not only with a thorough knowledge of the architectural work and Goodhue's relationship with his clients, colleagues and staff, but also an appreciation of Goodhue as a human being.
For those drawn to an architect's vision of how a structure works in relation to its surrounding, Wyllie is generous in offering up this side of Goodhue's innovations with landscaping and gardens. A trip to the Mediterranean, India, and Persia in 1901 with his new client, James Waldron Gillespie, marked a turning point for Goodhue. From this point on, he became adept in integrating shallow reflecting pools, pavilions, exotic tress and shrubs, courtyards, fountains, and waterways into his plans. The Dater and Gillespie residences in Santa Barbara, and the Coppell residence in Pasadena are a few of Wyllie's well documented examples of Goodhue's innovations and his ability to bring garden, landscape, and residence together seamlessly.
Bertram Goodhue will take his place alongside some of the best and brightest of his generation. Wyllie's book comes at an opportune time; her book is an excellent addition to recent publications on other architects and architecture of this period.
Pamela Skewes-Cox, Sudbury, MA

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Walking Twin Cities Review

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(More customer reviews)I've lived in the Cities for 13 years and worked in downtown St. Paul for eight years. I used to take 2-3 mile lunchtime walks with a friend over lunch almost every weekday and I thought I knew the downtown area pretty well. After doing a couple of the St. Paul walks recommended in Walking Twin Cities, I realized that I'd been missing out on many of the coolest places in the city for all these years. I don't get to Minneapolis as often as I should and this book is going to provide inspiration to know that city better, too.
The combination of scenic and safe routes, historic context, great photography that points you to the landmarks, and solid recommendations for places to visit, eat, and relax makes this book an invaluable reference for anyone new to or familiar with the great cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN. It's the perfect size for stuffing into a purse or backpack, too. I've only had my copy for a couple of weeks and it's looking pretty used. If you're looking for an excuse to walk off some winter weight, you could do worse than to use Walking Twin Cities as a personal trainer. Do three of these walks a week and get fit. Many of the routes are winter-friendly, too, including skyway walks in both cities.

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Walk the streets of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the economic and cultural center of the Upper Midwest, and discover their distinct identities as the City of Lakes on flat prairies and the Capitol City on rolling hills and high river bluffs. Laugh in a comedy club in Uptown or marvel at the works of art in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden; satisfy your inner foodie at one of the 17 blocks' worth of restaurants along Eat Street or browse for the perfect accessory in Dinkytown; stroll the climate-controlled skyway system that links 80 Minneapolis city blocks or contemplate beautifully restored Victorian homes on Nicollet Island; and view beautiful Minnehaha Falls or admire a restored wooden carousel in Como Park. The 34 walks include trivia about architecture, famous locals, and the cities' rich history, plus where to dine, get a great, strong cup of coffee, visit world-class museums, and shop. Books in the award winning Walking series are for visitors and locals alike. This highly portable guide features detailed maps for each trip, original photos, and parking information for every trip. Route summaries make each walk easy to follow, and a "Points of Interest" section summarizes each walk's highlights.

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Time Out Paris (Time Out Guides) Review

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(More customer reviews)I spend one week in Paris every year. Updated annually, Time Out Paris keeps me advised of scheduling changes at museums and other public facilities, new methods of paying for public transport, and the evolution of interesting neighborhoods off the usual tourist circuit.
It's a little thin with regard to hotels, but Trip Advisor is the better source of this information.

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‘Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose': that's Paris, the happiest marriage of ancient and modern. Paris pulls of the enviably double act of being resolutely in step with the modern world - mushrooming public Wi-Fi coverage, excellent public transport system, major architectural projects in the pipeline - and as seductively romantic and gloriously historic as ever: the flagstones the guillotine once stood on are still in situ, the palace of kings that houses the world's largest museum, the Louvre, is still a marvel to behold. The 19th edition of Time Out Paris, written by a resident team of journalists, helps travelers get through the maze of tiny streets and the seemingly endless among of choices. Alongside all the major attractions, this guide provides the inside track on local culture, with illuminating venue reviews covering great brasseries, chic boutiques, and tips about the places frequented by locals. The best way to approach Paris is with a blend of open-mindedness and skepticism, a blend that, as it happens, is one of the many admirable characteristics of Parisians themselves. Explore as much on foot as possible, with the help of Time Out's user friendly maps with venues clearly marked. For all the city's wealth of charm, it's worth considering an escape from the hubbub. Time Out recommends several day-trips such as historic Chantilly, bucolic Giverny (Monet's inspiration) and the genuinely astonishing palace of Versailles even closer.

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