Frank Lloyd Wright (Up Close) by Jan Adkins

by Jan Adkins

Frank Lloyd Wright was the most influential architect of the twentieth century—and a rogue genius whose life was a wild ride. Wright routinely ignored unpaid bills, clients' wishes, budget constraints. Only his creative vision mattered to him. That vision transformed the way we live, sweeping aside the Victorian home and creating a uniquely American architecture exemplified by his Prairie Style houses. Wright built hotels, churches, and offices, too, incorporating endless innovations in techniques and materials. Ideas poured out of him throughout his long career; he called it “shaking the design out of my sleeve.” Jan Adkins's fascinating biography of this compelling, infuriating, largerthan- life figure will change the way every reader looks at architecture.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

Mass Market Paperback

First published November 8, 2007

About the author

Jan Adkins is an author, illustrator, designer, storyteller, and explainer. Most of his life he has unraveled snarls, straightened paths, and made a clearer understanding of complex and subtle matters. He has published more than 45 books, many of them non-fiction for young people. He was associate art director for National Geographic Magazine, 1980-88, researching and explaining science, medicine, technology and archaeology to its millions of readers. It was a job described by his editor-in-chief as “getting a doctorate every third month.” He taught editorial illustration at Rhode Island School of Design and at Maryland Institute College of Art. He has a regular 8 pp feature, “Getting Started In Boats,” in WoodenBoat Magazine and contributes often to several sailing magazines. He’s delighted to be a member of the iNKthink team that produces nonfictionminute.com (quick, check it out!). He’s one of the Eisterhold Associates (Kansas City, MO) designing and producing museum exhibits. A great deal of his satisfaction lies in nurturing and herding his 3 grandchildren in Gainesville, Florida, where he lives, and his 2 grandsons in Washington, DC. He walks, canoes, cycles, sails, and cooks, but his neighbors don’t know exactly what business he’s in. On Friday evenings you will often find him holding forth at an outdoor table with friends at his son-in-law’s Cypress & Grove Brewing Company, his version of Rick’s American Cafe.

Reviews

[Jon Mellberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

To utterly summarize Frank Lloyd Wright, only two words are needed. The first: Genius. The second: Jerk. Which is the dominant trait? Only you can decide…

Genius: I never realized the architectural contributions Wright made to the world. They are beyond numerous; American homes for the last century owe much to Wright, whether they like it or not. His skill and talent are almost otherworldly. True, his style is far more open to criticism, but his creativity and ingenuity were boundless. Most of us have heard of Falling Water (perhaps his pinnacle/signature design), but his entire life’s work is staggeringly plentiful, as well as game-changing. His commissions took him all over America, and didn’t stop there. He lived to 93 and worked in his field for 70+ years!

Jerk: Pretty much EVERYTHING else about the man. Wright was the ultimate narcissist and perhaps the greatest con man of his day. His vices and faults are a mountain unto themselves. Any positive human characteristic was not to be found in Wright. I found it no trouble at all to ONLY admire his work. One wonders what he could have accomplished as a decent man; one also wonders if he would have accomplished anything at all…

The book itself is well-written and thoroughly intriguing!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

whee Frank Lloyd Wright - what a KOOK! I had NO IDEA! This bio is sprightly and informative. It puts his work in context for the times, and doesn't skimp on the lurid details to hold people's interests. I wish Jan Adkins would write more bios like this!

[Steve Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a summary of key aspects of his life, not a detailed account. This was exactly what I was looking for. I didn’t want to know all the details of architecture that some of the longer biographies have. I did wish the few photos were better but there are other books that have great color photos.

[Roger Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched the fascinating PBS documentary about Mr. Wright twice! What an astonishingly multi-faceted man. I really enjoyed Mr. Adkins well written perspective. On a recent visit to Wisconsin, my daughter took me to Taliesin North for their Introductory House Tour. Fortunately, it was pouring with rain, so we witnessed the ubiquitous leaking roof. It was an excellent tour but so wished we could have spent at least a full day to absorb everything, there is so much to see and learn. Nonetheless, Mr. Wright's spirit and presence were almost tangible during our time. I would love to have spent time with him!

[RomanceIsMyJam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well Wright was not who I thought he was going to be. This was a bite sized biography about him, including his early life, architecture, and lows. This may sound childish, but I wanted more pictures. There were a lot of buildings and structural techniques described, but unless I wanted to Google it all every two minutes it became tiresome and the prose dragged without a good grasp of what was trying to be described. Even the prose is confusing at times. So many people and names, oof. I know they were necessary, but there are many.
This man was no saint. He thrived on lies, ego, drama, and creativity.

[Rick Fifield · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I visited Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona they did not have Frank Lloyd Wrights autobiography for sale and a worker in the gift shop direct me to this book. After reading this book I don't know if I care to learn anymore about him. I find it difficult to say someone is a great architect if their roofs leak when it rains. He was a scam artist and while the building are beautiful if they are not functional, are they good?

Some issues with details like Phoenix is not in the Mohave Desert, it is in the Sonoran Desert.

[Natalie Wass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clippy engaging read, it's a YA book but the author includes plenty of salacious details and some fun pictures too. If you're interested in Frank Lloyd Wright it's a good read.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simplified biography meant for youth, it gave a good overview of Wright and his complexity as a self-taught genius and deeply unliked fraudster. It also gave some good context for the time period.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Loving Frank, by Nancy Horan, I was curious to know more. This book is full of interesting details!

[Evan Priest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this book was easy to read and interesting. I would recommend reading this book if you are studying architecture or just want/need a good history.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frank Lloyd Wright’s life was full of ups and downs that help make for a thrilling and riveting, read. Up Close: Frank Lloyd Wright by Jan Adkins is a comprehensive look at the crazy life of this famous architect. The story follows Wright from his childhood in Wisconsin, to his rise as an architecture star, to his fall from grace during WWII, to his comeback during the last several years of his life. Jan Adkins does an excellent job weaving American history into the fabric of Wright’s life, which helps to create a fuller picture of the world Wright was living in. There are excellent explanations of the Chicago World’s Fair, World War I, World War II, the Great Depression and several major art movements including Arts and Crafts and Art Deco. The book is factual and authoritive when it comes to describing specific events in Wright’s life, but the author does present some bias when trying to explain why Wright made the decisions he did. For example, Wright married several women in his lifetime and the author gives several interpretations for why he leaves two of them. Although these interpretations on Wright’s actions are the authors, they do seem to come from intensive research and help to give a clearer picture of who Wright was. Because of these assumptions in Wright’s conduct, I would suggest readers also look at other Wright biography’s to get a wider scope of ideas about Frank Lloyd Wright. The publisher rates the book for ages 11 and up, but I would recommended it for ages 14 and up due to some adult themes and high school level vocabulary. Some of the architectural terms and overall vocabulary used in the book are way above the reading level of a 11 year old. This is a great biography to suggest to a high school student who are interested in art or architecture.

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice "Wright 101" book for teens: easy to read, covers all the phases of Wright's life and moves along at a quick pace. Adkins is no fan of Wright the man, but certainly appreciates the work he did and his influence on architecture. Adkins doesn't sugar-coat Wright's scandalous life or what he did that was so scandalous, and he paints Wright as the narcissistic, dishonest cheat that he was. There are a few pictures and just the right amount of historical context to place Wright and his work. I'm an adult who is familiar with architecture, and I'm not sure that a teenager wouldn't get lost occasionally in this book, but I suppose that's how one expands one's knowledge! A fine introduction to Wright for Teens and adults.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, as far as biographies go. There was something about the author's writing tone that I didn't care for -- but I can't really put my finger on it. She seemed too enthusiastic about her topic, if that's possible, as though she'd be jumping up and down, clapping her hands, and squealing about it in real life.

I've long been a huge admirer of FLW, without knowing much about him, so it was interesting to read about his background. It's amazing to see what he accomplished when it comes to architecture, all on natural talent, arrogance, and sheer force of will/personality.

[Emily Rozmus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wright was a genius to be sure, but at what price? A true rock star of the architectural scene, he demanded and cajoled his way through the 20th century creating beautiful pieces of art that leaked and were at times unlivable. I was taken in by Adkins thorough explanation of architechure, history and the personal life of Frank Lloyd Wright. Best for high school readers.

[Charles Stahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but engaging read, the author doesn't merely proclaim the facts of Wright's history, he also offers up his unsolicited opinions. Not sure I necessarily agree with everything he says but he certainly expresses strong opinions. Beyond that, since this is my 1st introduction to Wright's life story, I have nothing to gauge the facts, but it's certainly enlightening and entertaining.

[Barb Ruess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting ready to visit a Wright house - Falling waters - and wanted a bit of background. This was a quick read to give me just a taste for his life and work. If I wanted an in-depth look I would have been disappointed but this work had just the level of detail I wanted to introduce me to Wrights life.

[Faithe · Rating 3 out of 5]

GOOD READ. Had previously read "Loving Frank" and got a truly different angle on the man... self-centered, egotistical, disregard for any one else's input to their own projects. I wish it had shown a softer side - maybe?

[Johann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good writeup on the artistic talent and personality of FLW. Chapter or two on political issues surrounding projects like Broadacre City fall flat though. Good job noting where historians disagree on what may really have transpired on various projects.