Breaking Ground: Adventures in Life and Architecture

LIBESKIND, Daniel

ISBN 10: 1573222925 / ISBN 13: 9781573222921

Published by Riverheard Books / Penguin, New York, 2004

About this Item

A first printing (with complete number line) of the autobiography of Daniel Libeskind. The Polish-born architect is noted for the innovative designs of the many worldwide structures he has created. With two sections of plates bearing color photos of buildings, scenes and people discussed in the book. Mr. Libeskind was assisted by Sarah Crichton in the writing of this book. --- In full pictorial covers with black & white photographic portrait of the author digging a hole in the ground as young boy. Volume wrapped in half-sized jacket with color image of the New York skyline to front panel. --- A well-preserved, tightly-bound, newish copy lacking damages worthy of mention. Unclipped jacket ($27.95) also in great shape, but with strip of small raised spots to back panel.; Tall Octavo - 9 to 10 in. tall; (10), 288, (6) pages. Seller Inventory # 87675

Bibliographic Details

Title: Breaking Ground: Adventures in Life and ...

Publisher: Riverheard Books / Penguin, New York

Publication Date: 2004

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

Edition: First Edition.

About this title

Synopsis:

A noted architect shares his iconoclastic approach to the creation of public space, his ideas about tragedy and hope and the ways in which architecture can shape and memorialize human experience, and his unique vision for the construction of the 1776 Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center site. 100,000 first printing.

Review:

'His is a brave attempt to reinvent architecture - and one that has succeeded beyond all expectations ... Libeskind likes getting his teeth into the Big Themes ... Which he does, expertly' (Guardian )

'A global star of architecture ... [ Breaking Ground] shows the same combination of sharp intelligence ... and straight sentimentality ... that has endeared him to many' (Time Literary Supplement 20041029)

'Just as Libeskind's mind effortlessly zaps back and forth between concrete references and abstract conceptualising, he is as populist as he is highbrow . . . Uplifting and fascinating reading' (Observer 20041029)

'One of the most celebrated - and controversial - architects alive. ... He has produced a readable, compelling and highly unorthodox book - part polemic, part celebrity autobiography, part credo ... He really is - as many New Yorkers have come to believe - an architectural visionary.' (Sunday Telegraph 20041107)

'Never have I come across such a lively, totally original, and provocative account of one man's struggle at the cutting edge of architecture.' (The Spectator 20041107)

'His passion is hugely apparent ... even casual readers will find this an extraordinary tale of artistic and personal achievement'. (Good Book Guide 20050101)

'It's as though one is in the presence of a polished conjuror doing fascinating tricks with a pack of cards, making incidents in his life, and in the world, appear and disappear, effortlessly' (Literary Review 20050205)

'Absorbing and well crafted'

(Guardian 20050903)

'Fascinating detail'

(Sunday Times 20050925)