Frank Furness: The Complete Works

Rating:
Summary: Quantity over Quality
Review: I picked up this book on a recent visit to Philadelphia. After seeing Furness' magnificent Academy of Fine Arts and U of Penn Library, I felt the need to get to know the architect and his seminal works better.

Although there are some scholarly essays in this book and it may be the best source available on this master architect, I must say I am disappointed that the authors chose to feature "more than 670 projects through 700 drawings and photographs". Does the student of Furness really need to know every single building the architect completed regardless of its design merit? Or would others and I be better served seeing his more seminal, and perhaps lesser-known quality buildings in a more in-depth manner? The book tantalizes the reader with 14 color plates, and then presents ALL of the architects work with old, grainy photographs in an often times confusing catalogue. Even the seminal works don't have the depth (plans, sections, details, recent photos) that would benefit the reader. This book is a missed opportunity.

Rating:
Summary: Quantity over Quality
Review: I picked up this book on a recent visit to Philadelphia. After seeing Furness' magnificent Academy of Fine Arts and U of Penn Library, I felt the need to get to know the architect and his seminal works better.

Although there are some scholarly essays in this book and it may be the best source available on this master architect, I must say I am disappointed that the authors chose to feature "more than 670 projects through 700 drawings and photographs". Does the student of Furness really need to know every single building the architect completed regardless of its design merit? Or would others and I be better served seeing his more seminal, and perhaps lesser-known quality buildings in a more in-depth manner? The book tantalizes the reader with 14 color plates, and then presents ALL of the architects work with old, grainy photographs in an often times confusing catalogue. Even the seminal works don't have the depth (plans, sections, details, recent photos) that would benefit the reader. This book is a missed opportunity.

Rating:
Summary: THE Architect for Victorians
Review: Obviously you enjoy architecture or you wouldn't be thinking of reading a review of this book. Think no further, buy the book. Frank Furness has been overlooked way too long and this book shows why in pictures and a nice overview of text why this mans work, and what is left of it, should be escalated to the heights of the finest.

Rating:
Summary: THE Architect for Victorians
Review: Obviously you enjoy architecture or you wouldn't be thinking of reading a review of this book. Think no further, buy the book. Frank Furness has been overlooked way too long and this book shows why in pictures and a nice overview of text why this mans work, and what is left of it, should be escalated to the heights of the finest.