Lost Wright Frank Lloyd Wright's vanished masterpieces

Nearly 100 of the more than 500 buildings Wright built no longer exist because of fire, demolition, or purposeful neglect. This book illustrates many of them. Wright scholar Lind (Frank Lloyd Wright's First Houses, Pomegranate, 1996) has done a masterly job of researching and recording in detailed narrative and photographs (some rare and unusual) these vanished works. Beyond the value of these descriptions and images to both interested lay readers and scholars, the book leaves the reader with an immense feeling of masterpieces lost‘a feeling compounded by the list of Wrightian buildings for which there are no known photographs or detailed descriptions. This clarion call for greater awareness of the shameful destruction of an important chapter in Americana belongs in collections interested in Wright's architecture or in historic preservation.‘Glenn Masuchika, Chaminade Univ. Lib., Honolulu (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

YA‘This well-written summary of the lost architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright is arranged thematically, enabling students to make comparisons between similar buildings, e.g., houses, offices, apartments, etc. The readable text includes short anecdotes and interesting asides about Wright's style and personality. Having some architectural background is helpful, but not required as the author provides a short introduction to each section. A concise, but detailed description of each structure is presented with information about location, construction, function, and destruction. The buildings are brought to life one more time through the text and the excellent photography. Although many of the pictures are old black-and-white family snapshots, they have been enhanced, excellently reproduced, and artistically displayed. Unfortunately, a few of the photographs are placed in the gutter, making it nearly impossible to see the building. The author's purpose to relive the genius of Wright and to appreciate the architecture that once existed has been fully realized.‘Myra Tabish, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.