Nonfiction Quick Reviews: Iconic Buildings

Broken Glass: Mies van der Rohe, Edith Farnsworth, and the Fight Over a Modernist Masterpiece by Alex Beam (2020)

An hour outside of Chicago, along a riverbank, lies the Farnsworth house, an architecturally significant home of the 20th century.  Designed by Mies van der Rohe, the home started as a collaboration between the architect and his new friend, Dr. Edith Farnsworth, but the two had a falling out while the property was under construction, leaving a stain on the history of the home.  I really enjoyed this nonfiction book.  I loved learning about van der Rohe's architectural philosophies and styles (luxurious materials, open floor plans, "letting the outside in") and how he was inspired by the surrounding forest and river to create a unique home made almost entirely of glass and steel beams.  Unfortunately, while beautiful to look at, the home was a nightmare to live in, and Farnsworth and van der Rohe ended up suing each other when the costs began adding up.  So interesting and easy to read, and I really enjoyed the incorporation of many quotes, from interviews, documents, and even the trial.  4 stars

The Castle on Sunset: Life, Death, Love, Art and Scandal at Hollywood's Chateau Marmont by Shawn Levy (2020)

 

In this nonfiction book, Shawn Levy recounts the history of the famed hotel Chateau Marmont in Hollywood.  From its start as an apartment building, just above the Sunset Strip, the Chateau quickly became a haven for Hollywood's elite, despite its lack of amenities compared to other local hotels.  I thought this was a really interesting look at an iconic building.  The book is set up chronologically, as it focuses on major periods in the hotel's history, framed by the owner of the time and the context of the surrounding area.  It features short anecdotes about the different personalities who have stayed there, from big names of old Hollywood to rock stars of the '70s and '80s.  In a town where celebrities are followed relentlessly, it's intriguing to read about a place that is renowned by the famous for its discretion and privacy.  There are a lot of names mentioned, some of which I wasn't familiar with, and it's always more fun to read about people you "know."  At times there was a bit too much background information (I didn't necessarily need the life story of each owner), it was overall an engaging read.  4 stars