Thirteen Months to Go: The Creation of the Empire State Building

by Geraldine B. Wagner

The Empire State Building, a construction feat that to this day invokes awe and wonder, began as a contest between two industrial moguls who craved the status of constructing the tallest building in the world. The building was the center of a "race to the skies" competition between Walter Chrysler, of the Chrysler Corporation, and John Jakob Raskob, creator of General Motors, and coincided with the onset of one of the worst economic downturns in American history — the Great Depression. Thirteen Months to Go encompasses the optimism and potential of 1920s New York. It is a wonderful tribute to the perseverance of New Yorkers and an amazing story of fortitude and ambition. 150 photographs are featured.

Genres: Architecture, New York

160 pages, Hardcover

First published February 16, 2004

Reviews

[Austin Visina]

This was an enjoyable summarized history of the Empire State Building. I have been to the top of it twice and I now feel like I should go back to take in the details further. The book highlights the remarkable coordination feat of constructing the building in only 13 months (+7 months to demolish the old Waldorf-Astoria hotel on site). The building stands a worthy monument to teamwork and the achievements of mankind.

[Nipun Fernando]

An informative book about the Empire State Building, perhaps the most famous skyscraper on the planet. I learnt some things about the building that I never knew before. I also liked the pictures too, some I had never seen before.