My Father's Ghost is Sleeping on The Stairs: Reflections of A Young Architect: A Memoir of A Life & Times

Drew, Bradley William

ISBN 10: 099449923X / ISBN 13: 9780994499233

Published by Bradley William Drew, 2020

About this Item

Unread book in perfect condition.

Seller Inventory # 41187126

Bibliographic Details

• Title: My Father's Ghost is Sleeping on The Stairs: Reflections of A Young Architect: A Memoir of A Life & Times
• Publisher: Bradley William Drew
• Publication Date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 099449923X
• ISBN 13: 9780994499233
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: As New

About this title

Synopsis

In 223 pages, including photographs, this is a memoir rather than a self-directed autobiography, of the first thirty years in the life of one who would be become a little-known architect, a profession followed until his eventual retirement years. It is the story, with personal thoughts and observations, of a rather ordinary life often found to be lived, in retrospect, within the company of sometimes extraordinary people: a life circumstance, if examined closely, which might be said to be true of most people. The world has changed enormously since those thirty years passed and in the brave new world of this fresh millennium, many are preoccupied with self-images which often exceed their reality. In recalling those years in the present context, they do appear a simpler and almost innocent time. This memoir at its core, seeks to recapture the zeitgeist, the spirit, of those times and recount the anecdotes attaching to both the ordinary and the extraordinary people who traversed the author’s life in those years.

Born and raised in south-east Queensland’s city of Brisbane, little more than a large country town in those years, the author grew up in a close family setting, attended the Brisbane State High School, followed by a scholarship to Queensland University where he eventually gained his Bachelor of Architecture and married at a young age. Following the failure of that marriage after some years, he later moved to London in pursuit of a young woman and the dream of a theatre career. Neither aim was ever realised but in the process, he fell in love with London and remained there for the following three years-plus, working for Chamberlain Powell and Bon as an architect employed on the Barbican Arts Centre; somewhere along the way, discovering a talent and love for the art of fine printmaking. London became truly home during these years and provided an ever-continuing parade of fascinating characters and quietly-rich times until, with a great sadness, it was left to return home just prior to the author’s thirtieth birthday. 

About the Author

Born and raised in Brisbane, Australia during the post-WW2 years as one of the early 'baby boomers', Brad Drew proceeded with the aid of a Commonwealth Scholarship to Queensland University, where he gained his Bachelor of Architecture: a profession which he followed until his eventual age-retirement. Following the failure of a young marriage during its early years, he followed a romance and theatrical aspirations to London, where he remained for the following three years, never realising the particular romance nor the thespian hankerings, but finding satisfaction as an architect engaged on the construction of the Barbican Arts Centre; and a passion for fine printmaking at the Sir John Cass School of Art. Returning to Australia in the late 1970s, he continued to work as an architect, (primarily as a planner and designer, his strength and major passion within the profession) until his final retirement. Fortunate in possessing a natural ability for an eclectic range of talents, he has enjoyed a life of variety and many interests, which have included music in the performance of piano, choral singing and simply listening over a vast range of genres; painting, drawing and printmaking; the writing of poetry in many formats; literature, theatre and cinema; cooking and dining; and of course, architectural design. He considers himself ultimately fortunate in that none of these activities are ever approached in a 'blinkered' state; the level of appreciation has ever been an eclectic one in terms of genres and styles. In recent times, there has been a new literary pleasure realised in the hands-on production of books from the standpoint of publisher, editor and general designer of the finished works.