Fallingwater: A Frank Lloyd Wright Country House

This is a really lovely, large coffee table book. What makes it special is that the author, Edgar Kaufmann, Jr, is the son of the owner of the historic and, perhaps, best known home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. In the book are drawings and topographical sketches of the home and grounds as well as some intimate photos which came directly from the family who commissioned and eventually lived in the home, the Kaufmann family of Pittsburg. The author tells how the relationship between his father and Frank Lloyd Wright developed and how they often disagreed during construction of the house. It is told that the senior Mr Kaufmann said, at one point that, although he had hired Mr. Wright to design & oversee the building of his country vacation home, he often felt as if, before it was over, that it was the other way around; that he was working for Mr. Wright! Frank Lloyd Wright was a controversial individual, to be sure, but was one of the most brilliant architects in history and this home is, without a doubt, one of his crowning achievements. As with most artists, he had a vision in his mind. He was fortunate to have a client willing, for the most part, to finance that vision. It's really quite an amazing design achievement to have taken place in 1935! The home was bequeathed to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in 1963 by the family and is now open for public viewing and tours.Some interesting facts I learned from this book included:The first thing Frank Lloyd Wright asked for when taking on the commission, were topographic drawings of the property.The first drawings for the house were actually completed in just a few hours. Mr. Kaufmann was going to be at a meeting nearby Mr. Wright's studio so he called and asked to see how "progress" was going on the plans for his home. Nothing had been drawn as yet, even though several months had passed but the drawings were ready before Mr. Kaufmann arrived later that day!The author, Edgar Kaufmann Jr., actually stayed at Taliesin (Frank Lloyd Wright's Studio). Although not planning to become an architect, he was part of the Fellowship for a time which is how his parents came to know Frank Lloyd Wright.There is a little dry history about architecture in the first part of the book. I believe the author wants to give the reader an bit of information on the subject so you might understand the impact of this home in the field of architecture as well as the art form. The pictures are stunning...many in full color as well as intimate photos of the interior. Just a lovely and informative book.

El libro venia con la clasificación de "good" pero he comprado mas de 20 libros en Amazon de segunda mano y este libro parecía nuevo. El contenido de la Casa Kaufmann es impresionante y es una lectura indispensable para cualquier persona que quiera entender esta obra, al final del libro tal vez de una manera poca imparcial por haber leído el libro creerás que es la indiscutible casa del periodo moderno de la arquitectura...y tal vez lo sea.

Written by the owner's son. Very happy.

Exceeded my expectations!!! Absolutely top-notch condition! Very, very happy with my purchase.Had seen a copy at the Newport Beach Friends of the Libraray, looked at it, put it down to mull over the purchase (it was $20 so fairly $$$ for a used book), and lo & behold, one of the "volunteers" imediately snatched it up and set it aside. When i inquired where the book was at the end of my visit, she said she bought it. i was surprised for it seemed like it was only when i picked it up to look at that she took note of the item.So, went home, and looked it up on Amazon. Found the same book, same price (perhaps it was a bit less) and ordered it. i was thrilled with the book i recieved for i spent about the same, but the book was in better condition. Shipped quickly, too.Thank you Amazon!

Really a tremendously deep book about one of FLLW's masterpieces. Close up pictures indicate just how dilapidated it had become before restoration. Although unspoken, FLLW appeared to have very little regard for maintenance processes of his designs. Careful studying of the photography will indicate just how precarious the building's stability had become.Although heralded as masterpieces, Wright's buildings require a terrific amount of looking after and several of his buildings suffered from fire damage or destruction, requiring total rebuilds.With genius comes failings as a human being and one letter between Wright and Kaufmann lets the viewer have an insight to Wright's character. In short, he could be one true SOB.Ken Burn's two-part documentary is a MUST viewing and in conjunction with reading this superb book - or any other about Wright will be of tremendous value.

This book , in my opinion, is THE quintessential book on Fallingwater . Not only was it co written by the owners son, it delves into The Who’s , why’s and wherefores of the place, but the photos and designs of this place are included. It might be considered a coffee table style book , but worth the weight and read. A great book. An excellent alternative to a tour if you can’t afford going.

So, we'd just gotten done with the tour at Fallingwater when my wife pointed out the gift shop. We really wanted to get this book while we were there but the $55 price tag seemed a bit high. So, we decided to check out the price on Amazon and saved $20. As for the book itself... it's written by Edgar Kaufmann who was a member of the family that built the house as a summer escape. So, he's quite qualified to write this book and lends a unique perspective as he actually spent time living in this national treasure. The pictures in this book are fantastic as well. If you can't get to Pittsburgh to see Fallingwater, this is the next best thing.

I am not start yet to read this marvelous book but I am just fascinated with the images and the diagramming and the photos plus texts disposal in this precious collector's book. Very very impressive this book was edited with the same level of the Frank Lloyd Wright's works! Probably the text is very good it was wrote by the former proprietor's son that means above all suspicion! After my reading I will complete this review.

Beautiful book. Coffee table masterpiece