I just want to begin this review by saying that this book is a need for any architect's library. The book Frank Gehry, Architect, provides a wealth of knowledge about the architect as well as the structures that he has created over time. Most pages in this book (and there are many) contain full color pictures, sketches, or descriptions about the structure and the architect. This book spans from Gehry's earliest projects to project underdevelopment. Projects range from structures to furniture, and even to art (sculpture like stuff). An aspect that I like most about this book is seeing Gehry develop his ideas and hone his craft. I should also add that this book also contains several models that were created for structures. I think this is essential because it allows beginning architects a chance to see effective model building techniques as well as different ways to convey a feeling which is essential for effective communication with a client. Overall, I would highly recommend this book for all architects and students.

a very interesting look into the life and times of Frank Gehry. Anyone ineterested in architecture or interested in increasing their knowledge of architecture and architecture's past must read this.

Frank Gehry's architecture has been receiving a lot of attention lately, and one can often wonder "How do those building get built?" well this book will tell you how the design go from sketches, to models, to the computer, to the final product... The photos in the book of models and the computer renderings are incredibly interesting and help the reader understand what it takes for a Gehry building to be born. Old, recent, and current projects are featured in this book. Definately a book worth picking up.

"Gehry Talks" is a thought provoking study of the evolution of Frank Gehry's avante-garde architecture. Anyone who adores modern architecture, or modern art for that matter, would be inspired by and should own this book.

Bruce Lindsey is now the head of Architecture at the distinguished, Auburn University. He is a very intelligent and cognitive person, and really has done a great job presenting the facts about Gehry. I recomend this book to anyone who has the slightest inclination towards the designs of Frank Gehry, because it is a very imformative and interesting journey into the world of digital design.

Compiled and written by architectural expert and writer Jason Miller, Frank Gehry is a truly gorgeous, full-color photographic showcase of Gehry's avant-garde architecture, ranging from the Schnabel Residence in Brentwood, California; to the Nationale-Nederlanden Building in Prague, Czech Republic; to the Experience Music Project in Seattle, Washington. An impressive coffee-table book offering beautiful, panoramic captures of architectural genius in both form and function, Frank Gehry epitomizes the life and work of its title architect largely through image accompanied by brief captions, backgrounded with a few short essays enhancing the majesty of the structures themselves. Frank Gehry is a welcome and highly recommended addition to professional, academic, and community library Architectural Studies reference collections.

As a graduate of Loyola Law I've had the opportunity to view his work up close and personal and truly enjoyed being a part of it. The campus continues to evolve and its development was exciting to witness. This book does indeed showcase and highlight most of his important works and ideas. Also, will shed some interesting light on his background and those experiences that continue to influence him.

One thing I would mention to readers (or those, like myself, that do not read the publishing information so clearly prior to purchase). Though I bought this book on the strength of the New York Times Book Review and have no regrets, it is quite short and takes the form of an oversized glossy magazine or children's book. In fact, the language is written with a younger audience target in mind. Though a great introduction to Gehry, it is not an full in-depth critical review of his work. Additionally, the "DK" logo figures prominently on the front cover giving it even more of a "young adult" feel. This may disappoint some of those readers who are looking for a more academic critical analysis of his work and buy this with that objective in mind. That being said, it is a nice package and thoroughly enjoyable read.

I bought this book for several friends after reading Paul Goldberger's rave review in the New York Times. Actually, everyone agrees that Goldberger was not enthusiastic enough. It is the best introduction to architecture I've ever read--and I grew up amidst the work of Marcel Breuer, Philip Johnson, Eliot Noyes et al. Young people really do go into the book. It is also an outstanding summary of the subject--for young and old alike. A read-aloud book that takes your eyes out of their sockets. I can't recommend it more highly for children of all ages!

Frank O. Gehry is a marvelous innovative architect. As a children's librarian, I am pleased to find such a good work on a contemporary architect. With many full color photographs, young people and adults will be drawn into Gehry's world. A brief history of his life and his early efforts in architecture give way to a tantalizing look at his recent project, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa, Spain. This is a must for introducing young people to architecture.

This book is a must for Gehry-fan. Whilst I don't rever him like a God but I do admire his enormous talent & his willingness to experiment with materials in constructing buildings & furniture. In this book, you would get the feel that he's not merely an architect but also an artist. In other words, functionality & aesthetics blend harmoniously together. I particularly enjoy the latter part of the book where it displayed more of his famous works such as the Vitra office, Guggenheim Museum, etc. The first illustrations of his works are something that I can do without because they are works that any draughtsperson could produce. I suppose this book is a bibliography & therefore, it's essential for the readers to know of his humble beginning to understand his eventual greatness. Besides, with his new fame, abundant resources in the form of budget, technology, assistant staff also come in very handy as well. The book does omit the kettle project that Frank worked with Alessi, though. I'm looking forward to savour the 2nd edition of the book, if there's any.

essential reading for all us gehry-freaks...well, i guess it is. i haven't been able to concentrate on the text just yet. the photographs keep distracting me from my attempts at a disciplined study of the works. but who cares, right? if you are devoted to frank gehry you MUST have this book on your shelf. open the covers of this book and become familiar with a genius. in a world dominated by boyzone, mcdonald's, and teletubbies it is a relief to know that the mechanics of the human mind can achieve so much more. frank gehry is a true inspiration for all of mankind. break out of the box and find out what frank is trying to say.

i did not have a good impression of gehry until i got this book. i got it because i had to know what this guy is thinking when he comes up with what i thought was "ugly" stuff (i now feel ashamed to admit that). now i see the beauty of his work.
my eyes have been opened. i now have a greater respect for what he is doing.
the photography is amazing...the book provides sketches and insight into what gehry is trying to do.
must have for architectural students/interns

Show an average person the Golden Gate or the Brooklyn Bridge and watch their eyes light up. Tell that average person some history or what design methods were used, and watch their eyes glaze over. History, technology and entertainment is a difficult mix, especially in print, but Judith Dupre' combines them wonderfully in "Bridges" - a worthy follow-up to her best selling "Skyscrapers". Fifty of history's most famous spans are detailed in this wonderful collage of text, photos, graphics and trivia bits. Bridges are wide, and so is this book, which measures a full 36 inches when opened. One most appealing aspect of Judith Dupre's work is the many "sidebar" views she takes of her subjects. Pages are devoted to covered bridges, portable bridges used in war, bridge catastrophes, even "Bridges in the Movies". An interview with the Guinness Book record holder for "most suspension bridges walked across" offers a personal dimension, and mirrors the passion that many readers no doubt feel for these creations. This is a fun book, suitable for the aficionado or for people who would like to enjoy the subject without being overpowered. The author is not afraid to have fun with her subject, and that makes "Bridges" a fun book you will enjoy for a long time! - Jeff Herzer

'Bridges' is an excellent book to have in your library. It also makes the perfect gift to give someone who has an interest in not just architecture, but history as well. It gives a brief history on each bridge together with very large high quality B/W photos. An excellent follow up from Dupre's first in the series 'Skyscapers'. I hope Judith Dupre is considering to continue the series with another book in the same style. A book on 'Stadiums' perhaps. If you loved 'Skyscrapers' you will find 'Bridges' just as rewarding, a must to add to your collection. Thanks Judith!

Every day we traverse bridges in our daily lives, scarcely to give them thought. Dupre pulls back the veil and brings highlight to these engineering feats. From the simple to the revolutionary, we are brought on a tour of bridges through time, and around the globe. The superlatives are here: the longest suspension bridge, highest, oldest. But it's not a book about the superlative; it's about what moves us forward in our quest for technology, and for our ability to move across space in a timely manner. It highlights those bridges that mean something to us: where the Romans said "let's make a permanent way of moving water." Where politics came into play and tried to prevent bridges that we can't imagine not being there like the Golden Gate Bridge. Bridges become important to history such as the ones over the Rhine during the World War. And sometimes when we make mistakes and things don't work out like we planned - the most spectacular example being the Tacoma Narrows Bridge that lasted all of 4 months.

But as she shows in her book "Skyscrapers," there is an intertwining of form and function, and where man built up in buildings, he builds out via bridges. The book's design even emphasizes - where Skyscrapers was an extremely tall and thin book, Bridges goes for width, to try and bring the spans into the range of the printed page. Yet so often, the task is not possible, and even on the wide pages the bridge disappears into the distance.

The book looks at the engineering involved, but does not dwell on it. Rather it celebrates how the improvement of engineering practices have been able to move man forward. A veritable love poem to something that we often take too much for granted.

Unless you know German, you'll have trouble reading this. The text is not in English despite the English title. Just a warning for anglophiles.

This conversation really gives you insight into Frank Gehry's background, influences, and philosophies. Gehry reveals a lot about his client relations on various projects which include struggles and triumphs. This has been my favorite Frank Gehry book yet.

There were only a few architectural drawings of The Disney in the back of the book: most of this photographic tour de force deals with the iron works, the skeleton of the building. After paging through this entire book, which is on display for sale at the historic Lummis Home off the Avenue 43 exit of the Pasadena Freeway, I had a new appreciation of the new Disney Concert Hall, which I had photographed under contruction against the backdrop of a thunderstorm.

Garcetti takes you close to the massive lattice of ironwork that underlies the curvaceous and apparently delicate hall. "Lattice" , "Skeleton", "frame", none of these words capture in their sense of mere adumbration the massiveness of the iron underneath. Can I say it simply? There's really a lot. Just what you're looking for in a book entitled "Iron."

Garcetti does a great job of capturing the workers, too, with many closeup shots of them as people that really bring out their essential happiness. There's a sign of their union hall, and the wonderful holiday shot of the christmas tree being lifted up to the top on a huge steel beam.

Also shown are some huge ironworking tools.

If you're fascinated with the state of the art in iron-based construction today, I'd say this book is for you.

Something else to remember -- once a building is built, you'll never be able to take photographs of it under construction again. It may sound trivial to say it that way, but after reading this book you probably won't think so.

In his foreword, Frank Gehry calls ironworkers "the forgotten heroes of architecture," and this book celebrates their courage and skill. Nobody who saw the structural frame going up on Grand Avenue will forget its raw beauty, but most of the bones were covered in a shimmering skin a year before the hall opened. Garcetti, better known as the former DA of Los Angeles County, has captured the physicality of the work in his photos, and in the words of the people who did it. Their pride and solidarity are inspiring. (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)

I rather enjoyed this offering. Because I was such a great fan of his, I bought the book anyway despite the reviews written by other readers that it didn't contain much insight. In fact, this book was rather insightful. It was realised after the involvement of the author with the maestro himself over a period of 7 years. It's amazing to read about Gehry's inspiration from his favourite items, the 'fish' & the 'snake', & how it gradually evolves into something else completely different. The book explores his previous realised & unrealised projects, & their corelations with the Bilbao Museum. After exploring his subconscious & conscious minds thru random sketches mostly done in the plane or in hotel room, he would have his colleague, Chan built the models which they would constantly refine. I also learnt here that Gehry isn't a great fan of both computer & drawing plan. The blessing by Gehry of the usage of the computer program, Catia is a God sent because the other Principal understood that without its usage, it would be almost impossible to finish the project on time, on budget, or at all. The part about why he chose titanium instead of copper despite that it costs more is interesting to read. Here, we also learnt that Gehry is a team player & he credits other people's contribution to his project. One of them is Krens, the Guggenheim Foundation Director who assisted Gehry in forming spaces to display arts. He's the person who urged Gehry to trust his intuition to come out with huge spaces & yet, sculptural in nature. In other words, Gehry is fortunate to work with professionals who remain objective in their judgements & never steer him away from his vision. This book oozes with beautiful pictures, taken from all angles imaginable, in different lighting, & even pictures of the Museum under construction. There's also Appendix at the rear of the book mentioning all you need to know about this iconalistic project of our time. Highly recommended.

... understand how one could build such an ugly building. I confess, I only saw the building when they started the process. Students and architects will appreciate the book because such a design process is not common and justifies these hundreds of pages and pictures.

I first heard of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao on National Public Radio. NPR offered a commentary on the Museum on its opening day. I was utterly fascinated. I started my college years as an architect, but later changed my major. No regrets about my decision, but I still have a passion for buildings and bridges.

Since the day of the NPR commentary, I have been seeking photos of the Bilbao museum. The best photos I found are within the pages of Gehry's THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM BILBAO. I think the illustrations are absolutely wonderful! The text explains why the Museum was built in Bilbao - the most important feature of the text.

A couple of years later on another NPR program, I learned of the many changes that occurred in Bilbao as a result of the Museum. Bilbao has world class restaurants that rival New York and Paris. Interesting... that a creative design of a single building can have such a profound effect on a local economy.