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Never Enough: The Creative Life of Alex Jordan
Never Enough: The Creative Life of Alex Jordan is the biography of an extraordinary Architect/Sculptor who created The House on the Rock in southwestern Wisconsin. During the last fifty years, millions of people from all over the world have visited the House and marveled at its unique architecture, as well as its vast and myriad collections.
This biography traces the outlines of Alex Jordan's private life and examines his creative process in detail throughout the exploration of his most important works. In addition, Never Enough plumbs Alex Jordan's deeper motivations for collecting on such a massive scale and examines the place of his work in American culture, and the world at large.
This biography traces the outlines of Alex Jordan's private life and examines his creative process in detail throughout the exploration of his most important works. In addition, Never Enough plumbs Alex Jordan's deeper motivations for collecting on such a massive scale and examines the place of his work in American culture, and the world at large.
207 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
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85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 24, 2022
I picked up this book at the House on the Rock gift shop hoping to learn a lot more about Alex Jordan and his collaborators, and I definitely did, but was disappointed with the less-than-academic quality of the writing. I could tell that this was some kind of self-published manuscript that had not gone through the formal publishing and editing process, because it is riddled with spelling, grammar, and sentence structure issues. Indeed, the press, Windy City Publishers, is geared toward self-publishing. I worry that without proper acknowledgement from art and design historians this unique place will fall into disrepair and be forgotten. I would go as far as to call The House on the Rock the largest piece of art brut or outsider art ever created. A text like this one is a great way to keep the oral history of the place alive, as Kupsh worked directly with Jordan on numerous projects at the House. However, I think Kupsh's testimony should be incorporated into a larger, more professional survey, overseen by scholars, that informs the preservation of the property. The House on the Rock is unfortunately maligned by many tourists who cannot see past its kitschy qualities.
The side of my family that hails from the Driftless area of Wisconsin has been visiting the House on the Rock for four generations. Jordan was a very stubborn man and may have shot himself in the foot in some ways by selling the property to businessman Art Donaldson right before his death. Although the house on the rock is *not* a museum, it needs to be run more like Taliesin, which is just down the road. It seems to me that Jordan saw his creation as more of a Disneyland than a Taliesin (or as an entity that transcends both of those things), and that's cool, but the place needs more of a preservation outlook.
I'm sure that many of Jordan's specialized craftspeople Kupsh names in this book are aging or already dead. Who will follow in their footsteps to keep this place alive: repairing the orchestrions and all the self-playing pneumatic instruments, for example? I'd like some answers.
The side of my family that hails from the Driftless area of Wisconsin has been visiting the House on the Rock for four generations. Jordan was a very stubborn man and may have shot himself in the foot in some ways by selling the property to businessman Art Donaldson right before his death. Although the house on the rock is *not* a museum, it needs to be run more like Taliesin, which is just down the road. It seems to me that Jordan saw his creation as more of a Disneyland than a Taliesin (or as an entity that transcends both of those things), and that's cool, but the place needs more of a preservation outlook.
I'm sure that many of Jordan's specialized craftspeople Kupsh names in this book are aging or already dead. Who will follow in their footsteps to keep this place alive: repairing the orchestrions and all the self-playing pneumatic instruments, for example? I'd like some answers.
August 25, 2022
I’m gonna start by saying straightaway that this book is definitely flawed. There were dozens of typos, and the grammar and writing style leaves a bit to be desired. At first it was a bit jarring, and I was mildly disappointed. BUT-
…this is such an endearing book. By the end of it, I had fallen in love with it, and I would be remiss not to give a glowing review to a story as entertaining, and eclectic as this.
The story of Alex Jordan, the architect and genius-madman behind the famed Wisconsin attraction, The House on the Rock, was deeply interesting to me. I highly recommend seeing the HotR in person before reading this book, because frankly, books and even photos cannot even remotely begin to convey the crazy magic of the experience as seen in-person. I spent 4 hours in the HotR with my daughter, and it left us feeling a bit like Alice after she tumbled down the rabbit hole. Early into the experience, I remarked that I sincerely hoped there would be a biography in the gift shop, and there was! I purchased it, and quickly began reading it as soon as I was home.
Tom Kupsch, the author, knew Jordan firsthand, and worked for him as a sculptor for many years. It is this direct knowledge, combined with the author’s warm personality that really bring the pages to life. This book jumps all over the place, failing to read like a standard biography. But where it succeeds is in making you feel like you’re right there with them, experiencing the only thing wilder than seeing the HotR itself…which was creating it. This was a journey unlike any I’ve ever taken, and I am deeply saddened that the book inevitably came to an end.
I give this book 5 stars for being comprehensive, informative, thoroughly entertaining, and enjoyable to read. It has earned a proud place on my bookshelf indefinitely. I will definitely be reading this one again someday, and I’m sure it will feel just like visiting a dear and missed old friend.
…this is such an endearing book. By the end of it, I had fallen in love with it, and I would be remiss not to give a glowing review to a story as entertaining, and eclectic as this.
The story of Alex Jordan, the architect and genius-madman behind the famed Wisconsin attraction, The House on the Rock, was deeply interesting to me. I highly recommend seeing the HotR in person before reading this book, because frankly, books and even photos cannot even remotely begin to convey the crazy magic of the experience as seen in-person. I spent 4 hours in the HotR with my daughter, and it left us feeling a bit like Alice after she tumbled down the rabbit hole. Early into the experience, I remarked that I sincerely hoped there would be a biography in the gift shop, and there was! I purchased it, and quickly began reading it as soon as I was home.
Tom Kupsch, the author, knew Jordan firsthand, and worked for him as a sculptor for many years. It is this direct knowledge, combined with the author’s warm personality that really bring the pages to life. This book jumps all over the place, failing to read like a standard biography. But where it succeeds is in making you feel like you’re right there with them, experiencing the only thing wilder than seeing the HotR itself…which was creating it. This was a journey unlike any I’ve ever taken, and I am deeply saddened that the book inevitably came to an end.
I give this book 5 stars for being comprehensive, informative, thoroughly entertaining, and enjoyable to read. It has earned a proud place on my bookshelf indefinitely. I will definitely be reading this one again someday, and I’m sure it will feel just like visiting a dear and missed old friend.
August 11, 2014
I visited The House on the Rock for the first time this summer and loved it. When I walked out into the light of day, after completing all three tours, my head was spinning with amazement and wonder; I also had so many questions: How did this come about? Who was Alex Jordan? What did I just see? How do I explain what I just saw to others? Kupsh does a very nice job of answering those questions and many more in this book. I really enjoyed Never Enough and would recommend it for anyone who's ever visited The House on the Rock and left with more questions than answers. It served as an exquisite explanation point to to the bizarre sentence that is The House on the Rock.
July 25, 2017
Alex Jordan, the man, the vision. If you've been to see the House on the Rock in Wisconsin, you'll probably be interested in this book. The writing is erratic and the editing minimal (it's interesting to see all the typos and misplaced punctuation in a published book), but you certainly can't fault the detail contained in this small volume. There is incredible insight into Alex's life and creative working if you can stick with it. Perhaps the best thing I can say about this book is that now that I've read it, I want to go back to the House to search for all the interesting things I missed the first time through!
June 25, 2025
If you visit the House of the Rock and find yourself wondering how it all came to be and why it is the way it is, this book delves into the mind of Alex Jordan on a very deep and philosophical level. Having visited the house as a child, then again as an adult just yesterday, I want to go back with the knowledge I have after reading this book. The experience tries to set you off on a good start by walking through a small exhibit about Alex Jordan, but it's too much to intake and contemplate, let alone digest when you're surrounded by everything at the house. I believe that more than anything, the house was meant to be a work of art where Alex Jordan made a lot of beautiful things, but also haphazardly placed items he accumulated and simply did not know where to put. I did appreciate reading that Alex never intended it to be a place for children, (and he did not even like children). My remark upon leaving yesterday was that self-control for children who visited the house would be necessary in abundance because there is so, so much to look at .... but nothing- nothing- to touch, and no way to play... except in your own mind.
December 3, 2024
While flawed, this book is everything I wanted from it, and was better than expected. What a delightful read that offers a nuanced take on House on the Rock and Alex Jordan, with plenty of insider details. It was a breeze to read and very fascinating, and I learned lots of interesting things beyond the attraction and the man behind it. Kudos to this author for helping preserve such an interesting part of Wisconsin history
April 6, 2017
My first introduction to The House on the Rock was through Neil Gaiman's American Gods. In it, the Gods convene in this magical place with a crazy indoor carousel. It's one of the most magical scenes in the entire novel. I read in the afterwards that this was a real place but since the book mentions a chimney rock, having spent many years in North Carolina, I assumed was Chimney Rock, North Carolina. Then, a month ago, I saw an Atlas Obscura video about The House on the Rock in Wisconsin and knew I was wrong. I mapquested it - found it was a day trip away and within a couple weeks, put together a group of adventurous friends to set out to visit The House on the Rock. It is one of the most magical places I've ever been able to experience. As I watched the carousel spin, I could totally see why Gaiman would include it. It spun with such show that my dizziness actually shows in the pictures. But that was not the only fascinating experience in this magical home turned museum. When I saw a biography at the gift shop, I had to buy it to see who this man - this visionary brother of the strange and dark - was. Who was this guy?
And I knew that would not be an easy story for Kupsh to tell. You could tell from his creations that Jordan would be one of those people only 1 or 2 people REALLY know. The dark environment that plays with lighting - lighting up what they want to be obvious but filling the darkened shadows with surprises for those few who will look for them - that is a signature move for very private people who feels absolutely no need to "fit in."
But Kupsh worked alongside Jordan for years and was able to shine a light on the obvious, just as Jordan does. Jordan struggled through his youth, sometimes taking very wrong turns, to find his calling. He built the house part of The House on the Rock for himself - in the process finding his own energy. People wanting to see his home became the fuel for a lifetime of creation. Kupsch focuses on Jordan's creative process - an idea, a few drawings, very few trips to other places, the first project (usually dismantled and redone over and over until it became the vision Jordan saw) and all the blood, sweat and tears in creating them. Once the place was big enough, opportunities fell into Jordan's lap and he seized them - making his experience (museum isn't exactly the right word) bigger and bigger - more dazzling every season. He kept at it - making himself part of every process, every decision until his health stole the energy back. Once he had to stop working on the house, he declined fairly quickly and passed away, surrounded by the people who made up The House on the Rock for and with him. This guy doesn't get a purple heart, he's not well known for generosity or helping others. What he did was leave behind a great mass of magic, wonder, respectfully handing it to people (like Gaiman) who will help it live on and build more magic on top of it.
And I knew that would not be an easy story for Kupsh to tell. You could tell from his creations that Jordan would be one of those people only 1 or 2 people REALLY know. The dark environment that plays with lighting - lighting up what they want to be obvious but filling the darkened shadows with surprises for those few who will look for them - that is a signature move for very private people who feels absolutely no need to "fit in."
But Kupsh worked alongside Jordan for years and was able to shine a light on the obvious, just as Jordan does. Jordan struggled through his youth, sometimes taking very wrong turns, to find his calling. He built the house part of The House on the Rock for himself - in the process finding his own energy. People wanting to see his home became the fuel for a lifetime of creation. Kupsch focuses on Jordan's creative process - an idea, a few drawings, very few trips to other places, the first project (usually dismantled and redone over and over until it became the vision Jordan saw) and all the blood, sweat and tears in creating them. Once the place was big enough, opportunities fell into Jordan's lap and he seized them - making his experience (museum isn't exactly the right word) bigger and bigger - more dazzling every season. He kept at it - making himself part of every process, every decision until his health stole the energy back. Once he had to stop working on the house, he declined fairly quickly and passed away, surrounded by the people who made up The House on the Rock for and with him. This guy doesn't get a purple heart, he's not well known for generosity or helping others. What he did was leave behind a great mass of magic, wonder, respectfully handing it to people (like Gaiman) who will help it live on and build more magic on top of it.
November 10, 2017
On our Mid-West Road Trip in 2016 we came across an attraction called “The House on the Rock.” I had not heard of it until I saw on the Google Map it near Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin. I clicked on it, but still had no idea what it was, but we had some time before our Taliesin tour, so I decided to add it to our day.
Sometime after that a friend asked if we were going to see it. When I said yes she teased me with a cryptic, “I’ll be interested to hear what you think.” But she wouldn’t say any more.
Well, after visiting the place, and even reading this book, I still don’t know what to think.
Alex Jordan is the creative force behind The House on the Rock. It’s a place that is difficult to describe because it is part museum, part architectural marvel, part fascinating collection, and part nightmare-inducing labrynth.
As we walked through the attraction we were simultaneously amused, confused, and frightened. The main feeling I had was creepy. I think we used the word creepy a hundred times as we walked from room to room.
This book tells the story of Alex Jordan and The House on the Rock. It explains how Alex came to create such a place, and how the attraction evolved through the years to become the unique, and sometimes controversial place it is today. The author has first-hand knowledge of Mr. Jordan. He worked with him for several years, and saw both the good and the bad in the man. It seems to be a fair account – not glossing over flaws, nor demonizing him.
There is a lot of detail about each room in the attraction, including the creative process that went into creating it. I enjoyed most of that because, having seen the place, you begin to wonder, “What was he thinking?!” This book answers some of that, but much is not known. Jordan was a private man and rarely explained himself, so we will never understand him completely.
I recommend this book if, and only if, you have been or plan to go to The House on the Rock.
Sometime after that a friend asked if we were going to see it. When I said yes she teased me with a cryptic, “I’ll be interested to hear what you think.” But she wouldn’t say any more.
Well, after visiting the place, and even reading this book, I still don’t know what to think.
Alex Jordan is the creative force behind The House on the Rock. It’s a place that is difficult to describe because it is part museum, part architectural marvel, part fascinating collection, and part nightmare-inducing labrynth.
As we walked through the attraction we were simultaneously amused, confused, and frightened. The main feeling I had was creepy. I think we used the word creepy a hundred times as we walked from room to room.
This book tells the story of Alex Jordan and The House on the Rock. It explains how Alex came to create such a place, and how the attraction evolved through the years to become the unique, and sometimes controversial place it is today. The author has first-hand knowledge of Mr. Jordan. He worked with him for several years, and saw both the good and the bad in the man. It seems to be a fair account – not glossing over flaws, nor demonizing him.
There is a lot of detail about each room in the attraction, including the creative process that went into creating it. I enjoyed most of that because, having seen the place, you begin to wonder, “What was he thinking?!” This book answers some of that, but much is not known. Jordan was a private man and rarely explained himself, so we will never understand him completely.
I recommend this book if, and only if, you have been or plan to go to The House on the Rock.
March 30, 2017
I enjoyed the subject of this book and learning more about Alex Jordon. It was not very well edited. There were several grammar and spelling errors in the book. The flow of the book was very disjointed especially at the end. I was at House on the Rock 25 or more years ago. I am going to go again.
October 12, 2025
I purchased my copy of this book in the gift shop at The House on the Rock attraction in June 2023. That was during the first visit my wife and I made to THotR; not knowing what to expect, we didn't allow anywhere near enough time in our schedule to see the whole thing. But even given the brevity of our initial visit (we stayed less than 2 hours), when I staggered out of the House my mind was brimming with vivid impressions and crowded with questions about how such a unique and astounding place could have come into being. So I grabbed the book on our way through the gift shop. I still had not read this book when we made a second and much longer (and much more satisfying) visit to THotR in June 2024. On that trip we spent most of a day there and were able to see everything to our satisfaction. And now I have read this book, which tells the story of how Alex Jordan conceived and created THotR. My advice is to first visit THotR before reading this or any other book about Jordan and/or the attraction. THotR is a place that is pretty much impossible to describe in words and pictures to the uninitiated; it is a thing that MUST be experienced in person. If you visit the place and enjoy it and embrace its wonder and its strangeness, you will leave amazed and inspired and to no small degree weirded out. Likely you will be looking for an explanation, any explanation, of what you have just experienced, and that's where this book comes in handy. As other reviewers have noted, this book has flaws in structure, syntax, and typography, but it workably tells the story of Jordan's upbringing and his long, long labor of love to create THotR. The author worked directly with Jordan for years and is therefore able to give some insight into that driven and irascible genius, and the process by which he created his works. Jordan is portrayed as a man of incredible energy and creativity, but also a curmudgeonly introvert largely living outside of society, bedeviled by demons, and as prone to bursts of wrath as he was to bursts of inspiration. By the end I felt the book probably gave a fair "warts and all" picture of the man and his creation, and much of what I had witnessed and experienced in my visits to THotR made at least a little more sense. And that was worth the price of the book. Four out of five stars.
April 5, 2022
I read this book because i had been to House on the Rock and I was enthralled. I wanted to learn more about the man who created this and why. I didn't know any better and I didn't spend time in the first rooms reading about the collection. (If you go, DON'T MISS the first rooms, there are no other explanations anywhere else on the site!!!)
While I did learn about Alex Jordan and his creativity and about House on the Rock, the writing was laborious. The style was confusing. People were introduced and their story told totally out of context and out of the chronological order.
If you haven't been to House on the Rock yet, you should definitely go there before trying to read this book, The descriptions will make more sense. Some books should be read before seeing an attraction, so that you understand what you are seeing, i really think this is the other way around. The House is such a unique experience and mesmerizing and amazing. Alex Jordan had his character flaws, but he created something wonderful and I was was glad to learn about him (even though I didn't like the author's style).
While I did learn about Alex Jordan and his creativity and about House on the Rock, the writing was laborious. The style was confusing. People were introduced and their story told totally out of context and out of the chronological order.
If you haven't been to House on the Rock yet, you should definitely go there before trying to read this book, The descriptions will make more sense. Some books should be read before seeing an attraction, so that you understand what you are seeing, i really think this is the other way around. The House is such a unique experience and mesmerizing and amazing. Alex Jordan had his character flaws, but he created something wonderful and I was was glad to learn about him (even though I didn't like the author's style).
November 8, 2024
I have had the opportunity to visit the House on the Rock multiple times, and during the last trip I went on I found this book in the gift shop. This book was an interesting delve into Alex Jordan’s life and how the decided to create each part of the House on the Rock. The book talks about Jordan and how he started the house. There was history given about some of the objects or themes as well as information about where/how he acquired certain pieces. There were also interesting pieces about how Alex was a person/boss. I would like to visit the House on the Rock again as I think I will have a better and more complete understanding and appreciation of all the work that was put into it. I do think there was something missing, but I can’t quite put my finger on it… I just felt a little underwhelmed at the end of the book. However, it was quite informative and I recommend this book for anyone who has visited or plans to visit the House on the Rock.
July 10, 2018
This book was an excellent insight into the life of Alex Jordan, I wish I had read it before visiting the House in the Rock, I think I would have understood his mad genius much more fully. The author starts with Alex's family history and what the country was like without getting too in depth and side tracked as so often happens in biographies. The author seemed to understand Alex as much as anyone could, he didn't gloss over his faults but let the reader see that they were just one aspect of his much larger than life personality. I gained an immense appreciation for what a phenomenal time it was to be part of the building of the House itself, and the making of all the displays and collections. The book really enhanced my whole experience of seeing the entire attraction.
I highly recommend this book!
I highly recommend this book!
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December 3, 2021I finished this book before I have had a chance to edit my photos from Milwaukee. I am not sure how I can be retired, and not have time to get to these things!! Our trip to the House on the Rock was so bizarre, I bought this book to try to get some insight into the mind of Alex Jordon...it's creator. I thought for sure the man might have some bizarre diagnosis that explains the seeming insanity of the place he created. And, perhaps now days he would have a diagnosis, but back in the 70s, he was just eccentric. But, he was certainly an artist. If the definition of art is to create something that makes you think, is creative and imaginary, and keeps you thinking about it long after you have experienced it....then for sure this man was an amazing artist.
June 30, 2023
This past weekend, I visited The House on the Rock in Wisconsin. It's very hard to explain what it is like. It's crazy and wild and weird and fascinating. In the whole time I was walking through it, I kept thinking... why? And who is this man who created this whole entire fever dream?? I wanted to know more. So I looked online and found this book, and ordered it immediately. It was interesting to learn how Alex Jordan worked to create this phenomenon. I had a lot of questions as I walked through the building, and most of them are answered in this book. If you are ever in the area, and have time-3 hours of time, make sure you pop into The House on the Rock- you won't regret it.
July 2, 2024
Not a perfect book (some editing and revising would have been helpful), but I read this right after reading the official “House on the Rock” visual tome, officially published by the current owners of the house, and they complimented each other quite well. Kupsh admits when he does not know information, and I give him credit for that. Overall, I found this to be an interesting read, and for anyone interested in Alex Jordan’s life and his truly amazing multi-building cabinet of curiosities of a house, I think the author accomplished what he set out to do.
July 6, 2017
This book is amazing, just as is The House On The Rock. I'm glad I was given the chance to understand the man after I saw his legacy. I went from thinking Alex Jordan was Bat-S*** Insane to being able to truly appreciate his creative nature. Anyone who has been to the House On The Rock needs to read this and if you haven't been, YOU NEED TO GO.
As for the Author's ability to entertain his audience, well he was no Alex Jordan but I think he did an extraordinary job showcasing the showman.
As for the Author's ability to entertain his audience, well he was no Alex Jordan but I think he did an extraordinary job showcasing the showman.
October 19, 2022
As has been noted by another reviewer this edition does contain some typos and at times it may be a bit amateurish but, if as I was, you are someone who has been to the House on the Rock and need desperately to gain some understanding of what you have just seen, this is a great book to read.
I in fact started reading this the day I went to the House on the Rock, perhaps the greatest art installation in existence.
I in fact started reading this the day I went to the House on the Rock, perhaps the greatest art installation in existence.
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July 23, 2024Like many visitors exiting The House on the Rock, I was full of questions: Were those pieces on display real or replicas?; How did he achieve that?; Why are they so many dollhouses?; Why are there no placards providing information about the pieces on display?… Kupsh’s book provided many answers and insight into the mind of Alex Jordan. His book was well researched, but desperately needed a proof-reader or editor. The amount of errors in the book greatly reduced my ability to enjoy it.
August 10, 2018
A fascinating book about a truly weird attraction (and the difficult, undoubtedly mentally ill man behind it). I wish I’d read this before visiting The House on the Rock... although honestly, that probably wouldn’t have helped my comprehension very much.
September 25, 2018
I left The House on the Rock fascinated and desperate to learn more. This book was exactly what I wanted. The history of the Jordan family, the genesis of The House and the intricate attractions that followed. Perfect!
December 21, 2022
If you haven't been to The House on the Rock, the book doesn't have as much power because it is centered on who Alex was and why he created The House on the Rock. We visited it in the summer of 2022 and I was captivated by the house. So, the book filled my desire to understand more about it.
January 16, 2025
We went to The House on the Rock in October last year. It is one of my favorite places in the world. It changed my brain!! This book was very enjoyable in the same way that the attraction is enjoyable. Imperfect, fascinating, authentic.
August 10, 2017
This enjoyable read is for those who have visited the enigmatic house on the rock and want to know more.
May 28, 2019
Fascinating book overall, though it's an unorganized mess and there are a lot of typos. It was interesting, but evident the author isn't a writer.
January 14, 2020
I picked this book up when I visited the house on the rock because I was intrigued by the original owner/creator. I learned that I didn’t see most of it and now I NEED to go back.
October 23, 2020
Here's a fascinating deep-dive into the lore of House on the Rock and its eccentric curator/founder, Alex Jordan. I recommend reading this before you give the House a visit.
May 25, 2022
An in depth look into the life of Alex Jordan. He created the most eclectic house I have ever visited. It was nice to see the attraction and then read about the process of creating it.
May 17, 2023
This was fascinating: I plan to read it again, and I can't wait to revisit House on the Rock now that I know more of it's context and history.
July 20, 2023
Great history of the man that made this place happen. Loved reading about his adventures and how the house came to be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews