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Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect
This new biography—featuring over 150 archival images and full-color photographs printed throughout—introduces Julia Morgan as both a pioneering architect and a captivating individual.
Julia Morgan was a lifelong trailblazer. She was the first woman admitted to study architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and the first licensed to practice architecture in California. Over the first half of the 20th century, she left an indelible mark on the American West. Of her remarkable 700 creations, the most iconic is Hearst Castle. Morgan spent thirty years constructing this opulent estate on the California coast for the newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst—forging a lifelong friendship and creative partnership with him. Together, they built a spectacular and unequalled residence that once hosted the biggest stars of Hollywood's golden age, and that now welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
This compelling biography draws on interviews, letters, and Morgan's diaries, including never-before-seen reflections on faith, art, and her life experiences. Morgan's friendship with Hearst, her passion for California's landscape, her struggles with familial dementia, and her devotion to architecture reveal her to have been a singularly brilliant and determined artist.
PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED Victoria Kastner has spent years compiling photographs, interviews, letters, drawings, and diaries—including material never published before—to create the first truly comprehensive portrait of this amazing woman.
OVER 150 This book features over 150 photographs, printed throughout the text. These include both fascinating archival images and beautiful, full-color contemporary shots of Morgan's buildings.
INSPIRING By exploring both Morgan's work and her life, Kastner weaves a captivating tale about courage, vision, and resilience. Julia Morgan forged a path for herself against the odds, and her story will inspire contemporary women and creatives.
ARCHITECTURAL Julia Morgan created 700 buildings during her career, from hotels to churches to private homes. Born in San Francisco and trained in Paris, she developed a distinctive aesthetic that now defines certain regions of California. But only in the last twenty years has her contribution to architecture been fully recognized and celebrated. In 2014, the American Institute of Architects' posthumously awarded her its Gold Medal; she was the first female recipient.
Perfect
• History buffs
• Students, enthusiasts, and professional architects
• Aspiring creatives in all fields
• Feminists seeking role models
• Visitors to Hearst Castle and Morgan's other buildings
• Californians and visitors to California
PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED Victoria Kastner has spent years compiling photographs, interviews, letters, drawings, and diaries—including material never published before—to create the first truly comprehensive portrait of this amazing woman.
OVER 150 This book features over 150 photographs, printed throughout the text. These include both fascinating archival images and beautiful, full-color contemporary shots of Morgan's buildings.
INSPIRING By exploring both Morgan's work and her life, Kastner weaves a captivating tale about courage, vision, and resilience. Julia Morgan forged a path for herself against the odds, and her story will inspire contemporary women and creatives.
ARCHITECTURAL Julia Morgan created 700 buildings during her career, from hotels to churches to private homes. Born in San Francisco and trained in Paris, she developed a distinctive aesthetic that now defines certain regions of California. But only in the last twenty years has her contribution to architecture been fully recognized and celebrated. In 2014, the American Institute of Architects' posthumously awarded her its Gold Medal; she was the first female recipient.
Perfect
Julia Morgan was a lifelong trailblazer. She was the first woman admitted to study architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and the first licensed to practice architecture in California. Over the first half of the 20th century, she left an indelible mark on the American West. Of her remarkable 700 creations, the most iconic is Hearst Castle. Morgan spent thirty years constructing this opulent estate on the California coast for the newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst—forging a lifelong friendship and creative partnership with him. Together, they built a spectacular and unequalled residence that once hosted the biggest stars of Hollywood's golden age, and that now welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
This compelling biography draws on interviews, letters, and Morgan's diaries, including never-before-seen reflections on faith, art, and her life experiences. Morgan's friendship with Hearst, her passion for California's landscape, her struggles with familial dementia, and her devotion to architecture reveal her to have been a singularly brilliant and determined artist.
PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED Victoria Kastner has spent years compiling photographs, interviews, letters, drawings, and diaries—including material never published before—to create the first truly comprehensive portrait of this amazing woman.
OVER 150 This book features over 150 photographs, printed throughout the text. These include both fascinating archival images and beautiful, full-color contemporary shots of Morgan's buildings.
INSPIRING By exploring both Morgan's work and her life, Kastner weaves a captivating tale about courage, vision, and resilience. Julia Morgan forged a path for herself against the odds, and her story will inspire contemporary women and creatives.
ARCHITECTURAL Julia Morgan created 700 buildings during her career, from hotels to churches to private homes. Born in San Francisco and trained in Paris, she developed a distinctive aesthetic that now defines certain regions of California. But only in the last twenty years has her contribution to architecture been fully recognized and celebrated. In 2014, the American Institute of Architects' posthumously awarded her its Gold Medal; she was the first female recipient.
Perfect
• History buffs
• Students, enthusiasts, and professional architects
• Aspiring creatives in all fields
• Feminists seeking role models
• Visitors to Hearst Castle and Morgan's other buildings
• Californians and visitors to California
PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED Victoria Kastner has spent years compiling photographs, interviews, letters, drawings, and diaries—including material never published before—to create the first truly comprehensive portrait of this amazing woman.
OVER 150 This book features over 150 photographs, printed throughout the text. These include both fascinating archival images and beautiful, full-color contemporary shots of Morgan's buildings.
INSPIRING By exploring both Morgan's work and her life, Kastner weaves a captivating tale about courage, vision, and resilience. Julia Morgan forged a path for herself against the odds, and her story will inspire contemporary women and creatives.
ARCHITECTURAL Julia Morgan created 700 buildings during her career, from hotels to churches to private homes. Born in San Francisco and trained in Paris, she developed a distinctive aesthetic that now defines certain regions of California. But only in the last twenty years has her contribution to architecture been fully recognized and celebrated. In 2014, the American Institute of Architects' posthumously awarded her its Gold Medal; she was the first female recipient.
Perfect
240 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2022
14 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 6, 2021
A great read about a great woman! Architect, engineer, ceiling buster and advocate of the arts. She was an innovator and a fierce protector of her beloved California. She ran with a very well-connected crowd, or maybe it is better put - they followed her, and wanted her to do their next project.
The author brings Julia Morgan closer to the interested reader in her new book. A great read!
The author brings Julia Morgan closer to the interested reader in her new book. A great read!
October 17, 2023
Julia Morgan was an incredible person and first female architect and civil engineer in the USA. Her design of Hearst castle is magnificent.
August 8, 2022
Like many people, I learned about Julia Morgan from Hearst Castle and knew very little of her work and life beside that. Really, that work alone was enough to ensure her fame, but even a quick glance at her other works shows me I like her style. I find her varied buildings rather graceful and satisfying--nicely modern but with interesting architectural details and styles. Aside from Hearst Castle her buildings look pleasing and useful....and let's face it, Hearst Castle is just an oddity by itself being part overlavish home, part showpiece and part museum!
This book showed me that Julia Morgan broke through the barriers facing women with sheer will, massive intelligence and a mannerful but strong sense of determination. She basically opened the field for women architects to follow her...but was not a "feminist championing in the name of women's rights" kind of person. Rather....she set out to become an architect and just had to redesign the world a little to do it.
I'd have liked just a bit more discussion of her not having romantic interests. It's spoken of...then set aside really. Julia Morgan does seem to have lived to work in her heart...it seems to have been her reason for living. It's my theory she was a "gray ace" a non romantic asexual, which makes her another kind of trailblazer...which I'm sure she'd have never had any concept of as women of this era would just simply give up or bury any romantic aspirations if they were truly career oriented.
I find her curious also in her extreme simplicity of dress and her almost peculiar degree of modesty. She ran with the most elite people...who really can be said to be HER followers! She could have made herself VERY famous and wealthy, but didn't.
She shunned the limelight and interviews which contributed to her falling into obscurity sadly. I think her avoidance of self promotion was just a feature of her modest personality, but it's frustrating in the long run. It's like a loved one who never wants to be in photos and then when they die, you have so little to remember them by! I'm frustrated by how badly her modesty contributed to her contribution to architecture (male or female!), design and women have fallen into obscurity.
Fascinating biography and fascinating lady.
This book showed me that Julia Morgan broke through the barriers facing women with sheer will, massive intelligence and a mannerful but strong sense of determination. She basically opened the field for women architects to follow her...but was not a "feminist championing in the name of women's rights" kind of person. Rather....she set out to become an architect and just had to redesign the world a little to do it.
I'd have liked just a bit more discussion of her not having romantic interests. It's spoken of...then set aside really. Julia Morgan does seem to have lived to work in her heart...it seems to have been her reason for living. It's my theory she was a "gray ace" a non romantic asexual, which makes her another kind of trailblazer...which I'm sure she'd have never had any concept of as women of this era would just simply give up or bury any romantic aspirations if they were truly career oriented.
I find her curious also in her extreme simplicity of dress and her almost peculiar degree of modesty. She ran with the most elite people...who really can be said to be HER followers! She could have made herself VERY famous and wealthy, but didn't.
She shunned the limelight and interviews which contributed to her falling into obscurity sadly. I think her avoidance of self promotion was just a feature of her modest personality, but it's frustrating in the long run. It's like a loved one who never wants to be in photos and then when they die, you have so little to remember them by! I'm frustrated by how badly her modesty contributed to her contribution to architecture (male or female!), design and women have fallen into obscurity.
Fascinating biography and fascinating lady.
June 12, 2022
A wonderful biography of an eminently accomplished and prolific architect/artist, I enjoyed this but wish it had contained double or triple the number of photos! Morgan was entirely dedicated to her work, such that this is an unusual biography - "intimate" in the title is rather misleading. The book drags in places, but the story of her trailblazing accomplishments is thorough and detailed. Great detail on her career and the many hurdles she overcame as a woman in a male-dominated profession.
December 12, 2021
As a fellow Berkeley alumnus, I have a soft spot in my heart for Julia Morgan and her works. And while I loved the detailed biography of her (and appreciated they didn't reduce her to just Hearst's architect), I would have loved more focus on and pictures of the buildings and what made her style interesting and special. This could have been 100 more pages and I wouldn't have minded a bit!
**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2022
Julia Morgan is the real deal. That is, she had architecture in her DNA, and she worked her ass off. So much of the appeal of reading about her life is the pleasure in seeing how that effort paid off. As a woman forging a way into a male-dominated field, she had to work doubly, triply, the amount her male counterparts did- to get into the prestigious Parisian Beaux Arts program, to be taken seriously. Hers was a path forged in the first half of the 20th century, so her trajectory was not feminist in the contemporary sense. And while she did a lot of work for women's organizations, this bio makes it clear that it really was about doing the work. Kastner tells Morgan's story in a fittingly workmanlike way. We get the family background, the dedicated climb to the top, lore behind notable buildings. But not much in the way of interpretation. The narrative moves briskly from one project to the next, with the infamous Hearst Castle constantly looming in the background, with construction ebbing and flowing with degrees of passion and fortunes. But it was a strange choice to call this "An Intimate Biography" for in the opening pages, Kastner notes that Morgan had no romantic entanglements with either gender. She was essentially married to her work. Morgan had good friends and loyal clients, but this is a person who appeared to be professional through and through. In the last pages, the book briefly touches on Morgan's growing legacy--something slowed by a belief that the buildings speak for themselves. The architect didn't blare her own horn or seem to have a god complex--what must she have thought of Ayn Rand? Joan Didion apparently wrote that Morgan "would construct whatever fantasy a client seemed to require, which is perhaps the only distinctly feminine aspect of her career." That's a fascinating critical bombshell that Kastner drops in the second to last page. There's a whole chapter that could be devoted to Morgan's complicated reputation. Still, this serves as an engaging entry point into the career of a remarkable woman, who may be most clearly exist within the souls of her buildings.
October 7, 2021
Julia Morgan was often dismissed as a one-time wonder for the elaborate castle she built for William Randolph Hearst, but recently critical thinking has shifted. The American Institute of Architects decided to give their highest honor posthumously to Julia celebrating her work in its entirety.
It was the Spring of 1919 when Julia first visited San Simeon. World War I had ended and the country was on the verge of the Roaring Twenties and an era of prosperity. She would spend nearly thirty years working on this project.
One of the unique things about Julia was that she was a native Californian when most of the San Francisco architects were transplanted Easterners. When she enrolled in Berkley's University of California, there was no architecture department so in 1890 she became one of its first female civil engineering majors and she made an important life long friend Phoebe Apperson Hearst, the mother of William Randolph Hearst.
The description of the 1906 catastrophic San Francisco earthquake and how it affected Julia and her work is compelling as well as how the commission to repair and rebuilt the Fairmount Hotel eventually became hers.
Carefully researched, containing new information, and written in highly readable language, this biography is a worthy addition to understanding the life of Julia Morgan.
Lavishly illustrated with beautiful color photographs, maps, and other ephemera, the book covers the genealogy of Julia's family, her childhood, through every aspect of her life and career. She died at the age of eighty-five on February 2, 1957.
The Hearst Castle was presented to the California state parks system and more than forty-five million have visited since guided tours began on June 2, 1958. I was one of them.
It was the Spring of 1919 when Julia first visited San Simeon. World War I had ended and the country was on the verge of the Roaring Twenties and an era of prosperity. She would spend nearly thirty years working on this project.
One of the unique things about Julia was that she was a native Californian when most of the San Francisco architects were transplanted Easterners. When she enrolled in Berkley's University of California, there was no architecture department so in 1890 she became one of its first female civil engineering majors and she made an important life long friend Phoebe Apperson Hearst, the mother of William Randolph Hearst.
The description of the 1906 catastrophic San Francisco earthquake and how it affected Julia and her work is compelling as well as how the commission to repair and rebuilt the Fairmount Hotel eventually became hers.
Carefully researched, containing new information, and written in highly readable language, this biography is a worthy addition to understanding the life of Julia Morgan.
Lavishly illustrated with beautiful color photographs, maps, and other ephemera, the book covers the genealogy of Julia's family, her childhood, through every aspect of her life and career. She died at the age of eighty-five on February 2, 1957.
The Hearst Castle was presented to the California state parks system and more than forty-five million have visited since guided tours began on June 2, 1958. I was one of them.
November 18, 2022
A nice biography of the pioneering California architect, by the former historian at Hearst Castle, Morgan's best-known work. She was an amazingly hard worker! Her major works were largely commissioned by WR Hearst or his mother, Phoebe Apperson Hearst. But she designed literally hundreds of other buildings, down to modest homes, and she had a particular interest in YWCA buildings and other related structures -- such as the Asilomar complex in Pacific Grove. She was generous to her employees and to clients who shared her interests. She made a good living as an architect but wasn't money-hungry. She had a good eye for design, making the best of building sites. Strong 4 stars: recommended reading, and I'll want to revisit the book down the line.
January 14, 2023
I have long been a fan of Julia Morgan’s work, specifically Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA. Once I realized she had created many homes and cultural buildings in the San Francisco area I set about finding out more. This book really scratched that itch and having received it for Christmas I have devoured it in a week. It’s just wonderful and brings quiet, understated, steely and brilliantly gifted Julia to life; describing in detail her life and career from start to finish. There is much information about her relationship with clients Phoebe Apperson Hearst and her son William Randolph, as well as countless others. If you have any interest in this incredibly talented and prolific architect I recommend it highly.
August 26, 2022
This is a fairly interesting and well-researched biography of a fascinating woman. However, there should have been a little more careful editing. On page 39 Kastner states that Phoebe and George Hearst "sailed through the Isthmus of Panama into San Francisco" in the 1860s. How does one sail through an isthmus, which is "a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas" according to my dictionary? Perhaps thought they traveled through the Panama canal; however, it did not open until 1914. Probably they traveled by railroad, which was possible after 1855 and took only one day - but it was still a way to San Francisco.
April 13, 2023
Fantastic biography of Julia Morgan, a renowned architect. I first heard about her during a tour of the Hearst Castle and was enthralled. I love learning about women who are pioneers in their field and by doing so paved the way for the rest of us. This is a well researched and well written biography, I was interested the entire time and couldn’t put it down.
The insight into WR was also a bonus. As the author had access to two diaries, I would have loved a look into those a bit more but honestly the length was perfect and I appreciate that too much information wasn’t given.
Highly recommend
The insight into WR was also a bonus. As the author had access to two diaries, I would have loved a look into those a bit more but honestly the length was perfect and I appreciate that too much information wasn’t given.
Highly recommend
May 18, 2022
Exceptional book in enjoyment and enlightenment. Unfortunately, she was not acknowledged until well after her death. The depth of her work, design, artistry and talent is amazing. I want to drive all over Oakland and Berkley and view her architectural accomplishments. She was entirely devoted to her work without ignoring her family member's needs. I want to continue my reading on this remarkable woman.
February 6, 2025
A beautiful telling of the life of Julia Morgan, a brilliant architect, a loyal and remarkable women. Julia Morgan has never been given credit for the architecturally sound, beautifully crafted buildings in California. This book is a pleasure to read, savor and digest. Julia knew her place was in the world of architecture as art and functionality despite all the societal conventions stacked against her.
February 22, 2022
This was an extremely interesting read about a trailblazing architect. She was an innovative-a maverick of her time. This book has beautiful illustrations of her work and life. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about architecture and a pioneer in the field.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2024
Wonderful topic and sumptuous plates. It really whet my appetite to go visit the sites of Ms. Morgan’s building projects. The prose was plodding by at times and didn’t capture my imagination personally but the subject kept me going to the end. I’d recommend simply for the sweep of it and the beautiful photographs.
February 16, 2025
A read this biography after visiting Hearst Castle, I was eager to learn more about the woman who was the architect, interior designer, landscape architect and contractor of this extravagant project in the roaring 20s. As the title mentions, she was a real trailblazer for a woman in this time period yet she was extremely private and avoided the spotlight.
July 19, 2025
Loved learning about Julia Morgan! However it felt thin for a book that was clearly so thoroughly researched. Seemed like propaganda for William Randolph Hearst's legacy almost as much as for Morgan's. That said, I look forward to my next trip to San Francisco and plan to seek out more Morgan buildings.
August 14, 2025
I thought it was very interesting to learn that the architect of Hearst Castle was a woman! Julia Morgan was an accomplished architect who studied aboard. She designed many amazing buildings, primarily in California, and predominantly for William Hearst. She worked practically nonstop and created with the desire to please her clients. The book contains many beautiful pictures of Morgan's work.
February 11, 2022
An incredibly thoughtful and well-researched portrait of Julia Morgan’s life and work. Victoria’s appreciation for Morgan’s work is evident in both the prose and photos. A must-read for women’s history fans.
This was an ARC
This was an ARC
March 29, 2022
I loved learning about Julia Morgan’s impact and contributions to architecture. More so, I was captivated by her joy of work which was her life’s passion. The writing and photography swept me up and I am grateful for the decades of work that went into bringing this story to life.
May 28, 2022
I fell in love with the woman and as a separate entity, her life, but it does get dry. I found myself skipping "the dry" or too- many-details paragraphs (and feeling guilty) just to find out what happens.
November 15, 2023
The pictures were beautiful. Julia Morgan was definitely driven and her work was impeccable. The book read more like here is another address/design. Might have been helpful to explain some of her thought processes etc.
July 19, 2024
I had never heard of her, and after reading this book in a club, I was amazed at that fact. She was an early American architect who designed 700 buildings in CA and pioneered using reinforced concrete in construction. I won't reveal the most significant spoiler!
January 4, 2025
Not your usual biography format, there are plenty of photos and drawings in this coffee table type book about Julia Morgan, responsible for so much architecture on the west coast in the first half of the 20th century, as well as San Simeon, Hearst Castle. Interesting and so informative. Recommend!
February 20, 2025
I enjoyed this very well researched and interesting book about the Californian Architect Julia Morgan.
Miss Morgan was a true trail blazer in her chosen profession. I am familiar with her work at Hearst Castle and her local work on the Central Coast in California.
Miss Morgan was a true trail blazer in her chosen profession. I am familiar with her work at Hearst Castle and her local work on the Central Coast in California.
July 21, 2025
I very much enjoyed this thoughtful biography of the remarkable, peerless Julia Morgan. She was inseparable from her work. An examination of any of the 700+ buildings she designed and built reveals Morgan as a visionary artist and a master of her profession.
November 12, 2021
Read it aloud to my father who is into California and Hearst history. We both enjoyed it. Advance copy from Net Galley. Needs better captions on photos. probably will come with final publication.
January 31, 2022
More to come...
April 10, 2022
Excellent book about a little known but prolific architect with lots of excellent pictures of her work.
July 19, 2022
I liked the pictures and lots of new information about Julia!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews