Professor Anderson's tightly researched history will stand on its own as the first rigorous history of Behrens. It is beautifully supported by the illustrations and book design (which I hereby, arms waving, nominate for a Graphic Design Award). More than a history of Behrens it is an example to architecture and art historians whatever their subjects; a model of historiography and academic care. Architecture history in particular needs the kind of attention Professor Anderson has here applied to it.

This is a lengthy, superbly written book about the life, work and cultural milieu of one of the most interesting architectural, industrial and graphic designers of the 20th century, better known for having influenced three famous protégés (Mies Van der Rohe, Le Corbusier and Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius) than for his own contributions as designer of his innovative Art Nouveau home in the Darmstadt Artists' Colony; as director of the Kunstgewerbeschule at Düsseldorf; as a founding member of the Deutscher Werkbund; and as corporate designer for AEG, the still extant German electrical firm. Before his death in 1940, he played a brief and minor role in Albert Speer's plans for redesigning Berlin. The text is unrelenting in its attempt to identify Behrens' own influences and trace the sequence of his thoughts. It is assuredly richer because of the accompanying 250 illustrations, and, especially, the thoughtful and fitting design by Yasuyo Iguchi. (Review copyright © 2000 by Roy R. Behrens from Ballast Quarterly Review 15, No. 4, Summer.)