http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/441875 en-US Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:48:04 -0800 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 11922257 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:48:04 -0800
author: Michael Williams
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.71
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 01/07/08
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]]> 10877671 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:50:19 -0800
author: Editors of Phaidon Press
name: Devyn
average rating: 5.00
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 12/06
date added: 12/22/07
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While the content may be a bit overwhelming at times, the three volume set is great for filling a few minutes with design porn.
]]> 10871803 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:21:45 -0800
Experience a side of Chicago little seen by those with means. Vergara's talent for capturing the sadness and beauty of urban decay is fantastic.

See also his other book: American Ruins]]>
author: Camilo Jose Vergara
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.40
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at: 01/03
date added: 12/22/07
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Another interesting look into the nether regions of the urban landscape. This time the focus is Chicago.

Experience a side of Chicago little seen by those with means. Vergara's talent for capturing the sadness and beauty of urban decay is fantastic.

See also his other book: American Ruins
]]> 10871559 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:19:00 -0800
author: Camilo Jose Vergara
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.44
book published: 1999
rating: 4
read at: 01/03
date added: 12/22/07
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Yes it is a picture book, not a lot to read here, but oh the images... Vergara's skill and talent for photographing the ruins of urban America is amazing, and should not be missed. The book gives an insightful glance of a part of our reality that most don't know exists or choose to ignore. The decay in the buildings featured is artful in itself, bringing both curiosity and sadness. Since being published in 1999, much of what he has photographed has vanished from the landscape, both for the good and the not so good.
]]> 10871282 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:13:20 -0800
Always a joy to read with friends after a few drinks. ]]>
author: James Finn Garner
name: Devyn
average rating: 3.75
book published: 1994
rating: 4
read at: 01/95
date added: 12/22/07
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I bought this book while living in Seattle in 1995, and while I thought it was cute, it didn't get just how cute it was until I left the land of political correctness and moved to Chicago, where styrofoam is considered useful, and African Americans prefer to be called 'Black'.

Always a joy to read with friends after a few drinks.
]]> 10870904 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:05:55 -0800
While New York may have more buildings, I hold to the truth that Chicago has a quality and history of architecture from the past century(plus) that cannot be beat. Kamin has an insightful eye, and always does a masterful job at pointing out the details I do not readily see about the buildings he is critiquing. This book includes articles which delve into the 'hows and whys' of the importance of architecture in our daily lives, and while he is focused on Chicago, much of what he has to say relates to other large cities as well. ]]>
author: Blair Kamin
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2001
rating: 4
read at: 01/02
date added: 12/22/07
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This book is a collection of articles written for the Chicago Tribune by the Tribune's Architecture Critic, Blair Kamin (whom I have had the pleasure of meeting and subsequently being interviewed by for an article by him... But thats a different story).

While New York may have more buildings, I hold to the truth that Chicago has a quality and history of architecture from the past century(plus) that cannot be beat. Kamin has an insightful eye, and always does a masterful job at pointing out the details I do not readily see about the buildings he is critiquing. This book includes articles which delve into the 'hows and whys' of the importance of architecture in our daily lives, and while he is focused on Chicago, much of what he has to say relates to other large cities as well.
]]> 10870584 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:57:26 -0800
author: Jerry Adler
name: Devyn
average rating: 3.00
book published: 1994
rating: 3
read at: 01/96
date added: 12/22/07
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Ever wonder what it takes to get a high rise built in the heart of Times Square?? This book takes you on the journey of the construction of 1540 Broadway. You see how the project started from a vision and turned into a nightmare by the time it was completed (1990). Today the building stands as yet another somewhat bland (but not awful) result from value engineering and the PoMo esthetic of the 80s. But that doesn't deter from the interesting history of what it takes to get things done in Manhattan. Of course, now that it is nearly 20 years later I can only imagine how much more difficult and expensive it must be to raise a high rise on the island.
]]> 10869863 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:47:26 -0800
At times a bit scholarly, I forced my way past the less interesting parts (the stuff above my head) to soak up the wisdom that Jane Jacobs imparted in this book. Her insight and observations into how the city functions and how every aspect of the city relates to each other is stunningly brilliant. Her concept of "Eyes on the street" is enormously important to creating a livable environment.

I have the fortune of living near Hudson Street in the West Village, the subject of much her her study, and quite often think of her while wandering my nabe. I often wonder what she would think of it today.

When she died I did a post on my old blog Looper. I strongly urge anybody that has any interest in urbanism to read this book. ]]>
author: Jane Jacobs
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2002
rating: 5
read at: 01/04
date added: 12/22/07
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Perhaps there is no other tome more quintessential on the subject of urban planning than this volume by Jane Jacobs.

At times a bit scholarly, I forced my way past the less interesting parts (the stuff above my head) to soak up the wisdom that Jane Jacobs imparted in this book. Her insight and observations into how the city functions and how every aspect of the city relates to each other is stunningly brilliant. Her concept of "Eyes on the street" is enormously important to creating a livable environment.

I have the fortune of living near Hudson Street in the West Village, the subject of much her her study, and quite often think of her while wandering my nabe. I often wonder what she would think of it today.

When she died I did a post on my old blog Looper. I strongly urge anybody that has any interest in urbanism to read this book.
]]> 10868948 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:28:11 -0800
I had the fortune of living directly across the street from Block 37 from 2003-2007, and saw first hand many of the actions that occurred shortly after the 2003 update was published. There is finally today a building rising on the block, but be assured there is much controversy to come. ]]>
author: Ross Miller
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 01/04
date added: 12/22/07
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The history of a little plot of land known as Block 37 in the epicenter of Chicago's famed Loop is one wrought with enough drama, controversy, greed, scandal, etc... to fill dozens of books. 'Here's The Deal' does the story justice with explaining the history of how decades of failed urban planning and wasted public funds for one single block of land occurred, all in the name of public good.

I had the fortune of living directly across the street from Block 37 from 2003-2007, and saw first hand many of the actions that occurred shortly after the 2003 update was published. There is finally today a building rising on the block, but be assured there is much controversy to come.
]]> 10869323 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:27:52 -0800
The book was excellent the first time around, but living here will make things much more relevant the second time around. I will revise as needed. ]]>
author: George Chauncey
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.11
book published: 1995
rating: 4
read at: 01/96
date added: 12/22/07
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It has been more than ten years since I read the book, and now that I live here, I plan to re-read it soon. The history of Gay life in NYC is unlike anywhere else, and definitely a subject that Gay New Yorkers should take the time to learn.

The book was excellent the first time around, but living here will make things much more relevant the second time around. I will revise as needed.
]]> 10869596 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:27:31 -0800
author: John Berendt
name: Devyn
average rating: 3.79
book published: 1994
rating: 4
read at: 01/95
date added: 12/22/07
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Another blast from the past. I remember loving this book so very much I couldn't wait to see the movie. Well as is so often the case, the book was just better than the movie, save for 'Lady Chablis' (she was worth the price of admission alone). Back to the book... I am giving it four stars because it was a really good book.
]]> 7877425 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:51:01 -0700
author: David Sedaris
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.69
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at: 12/05
date added: 10/18/07
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I still haven't listened to the entire set, but it is always great for a good laugh.
]]> 7877413 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:50:26 -0700
author: David Sedaris
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 11/99
date added: 10/18/07
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]]> 7877415 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:48:13 -0700
author: David Sedaris
name: Devyn
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at: 09/04
date added: 10/18/07
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David Sederis at his usual best... I liked the book, but felt that it wasn't as good as some of his earlier work.
]]> 7877418 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:45:18 -0700
author: David Sedaris
name: Devyn
average rating: 3.74
book published: 1994
rating: 3
read at: 01/98
date added: 10/18/07
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]]> 7877438 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:43:29 -0700
author: Kevin Walsh
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 08/07
date added: 10/18/07
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While the visual layout of the book may be lacking a bit, the information is incredibly comprehensive. A must read for anybody that is a fan of Kevin's namesake website
]]> 7877465 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:36:18 -0700
author: Armistead Maupin
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 01/92
date added: 10/18/07
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]]> 7877381 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:33:48 -0700
author: David Sedaris
name: Devyn
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at: 01/02
date added: 10/18/07
shelves:
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]]> 7877312 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:30:43 -0700
author: Augusten Burroughs
name: Devyn
average rating: 3.42
book published: 2000
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 10/18/07
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]]> 7877296 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:30:25 -0700
author: Augusten Burroughs
name: Devyn
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 10/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 7877270 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:29:25 -0700
author: Augusten Burroughs
name: Devyn
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 10/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 7877241 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:29:12 -0700
author: Augusten Burroughs
name: Devyn
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 01/04
date added: 10/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]>