Modern Architecture in St. Louis : Washington University and Postwar American Architecture, 1948-1973

Rating:
Summary: OVER PRICED AND UNDER RESEARCHED
Review: I found this book to be mediocre at best. Eric Mumford's article somewhere in the middle of the book was by far the best writing/reading to be had. Mumord begins to hint at the depth and diversity of Modern architecture in St. Louis.

There's also an article on the Jefferson Expansion National Memorial Competition....now known as Saarinen's "ARCH"...where alot of the competition boards are reproduced....pretty cool.

Unfortunately there's alot of "modern" architecture the book doesn't mention...For example all of Tom Hall's work is overlooked....and he's done atleast 100 brilliant modern buildings in St. Louis. And then there's Burton Duenke who brought the "califonia ranch" to St. Louis. No mention of him either. Why?....because these gentlemen are not alumni of Washington University.

Basically I found most of the book to be self serving propaganda for Washington University's Architecture School. Most of the architects they discuss in the book are in some way or another connected back to Wash U....which is alright...if that's what your writing about. With that said the book is blantly mis-titled...should be more like...Wash. U's former Deans and their impact on St. Louis Architecture....or Wash U' and Modern architecture in St. Louis.

And finally the book is very over priced...I mean its wafer thin (practically a brochure). I read it in about 90 minutes. At $40.00 dollars you gotta wonder what your getting.? Not alot of bang for your buck.