Frank Lloyd Wright

By: Ada Louise Huxtable

Narrated by: Carrington Macduffie

Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic for The New York Times comes an intimate, behind-the-scenes portrait of the world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. In this book, Huxtable looks at the architect and the man, exploring the sources of his tumultuous and troubled life and his long career as a master builder, as well as his search for lasting, true love. Huxtable discusses Wright's masterpieces, including Taliesin, rebuilt after tragedy and murder; the Imperial Hotel, one of the few structures that survived the catastrophic 1923 Japanese earthquake; and the tranquil Fallingwater visited by millions each year. Through the journey, Huxtable takes us not only into the mind of the man who drew the blueprints, but also into the very heart of the medium, which he changed forever.

©2004 Ada Louise Huxtable (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A stimulating, well-balanced treatment....With its dollop of sizzle, this fluently written biography will provoke renewed interest in Wright's architecture." (Publishers Weekly)

A stuburn artist

You have to be stuburn and go against the grain to be someone that changes the simplicity of our common and typical way of doing things.

Timeless and inspiring

Frank Lloyd Wright was deeply gifted and never questioned himself or his destiny. This biography conveys the essence of him in all his humble arrogance. I enjoyed the way this story presents the truth and an alternative to it.

excellent review

Having the privilege of an open archives and the temperance of time after a person's death, the author has been able to create an even handed biography of this interesting architect, and his creations. while also including the opinions of his critics and the voices of the people who supported him.

Quick, yet insightful

Would you listen to Frank Lloyd Wright again? Why?

Yes. It was a quick read. Short book. And it was very interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

I learned things that I did not know. It focused on his life, not just his work, and referenced other authors. That was smart.

What about Carrington Macduffie’s performance did you like?

She did very well. Easy to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was shocked by how rude Frank Lloyd Wright could be.

Any additional comments?

If you want to learn about the life of Frank Lloyd Wright, start here.

Excellent assembly of research and presentation

An excellent assembly of facts about his life from the beginning to end, including the genius and the transgressions. Allowed me to better understand who and what he was.

Brava!

Kudos to the author’s research and expression. So too with the narrater’s reading. Each leaving me heartened and inspired.

Salute

Sparkling Biography - Full of Wit and Insight!

I LOVE this book!! It's a great telling of the strange life of a quirky genius. Ms. Huxtable is brilliant at describing Wright's unique and wonderous creations. Also, Ms. Carrington, the reader, really adds value to the narrative! HIGHLY recommended!

Very Good

A tightly written ball of facts and anecdotes. Outstanding. Very well narrated.

Wonderful insight into Franks personal (no so much creative) story

The narrator indies a great job. I assume most people searching for anything related to Frank Lloyd Wright will mostly be interested in learning more about his architectural and creative choices. This book however aims at telling Franks personal story from childhood through adulthood to becoming an architect, and it does a great job at that. The reading is primarily about Franks various relationships and social connections and stories more so than anything related to the genius behind his designs and philosophies. The most you’ll hear about his architecture in this book is that “it was genius” but no decision making or technical information, you will however hear things like who the client was, his relationship with them, why he chose to do this or that, how other perceived that choice, and so on. Great book with info you won’t get anywhere else, but if you’re trying to find out why exactly he built falling water over a river and how many cantilevers the building had, this book isn’t for you. It’s for those interested in his interpersonal relationships.

Wonderful book! Excellent reader!

Here is the perfect counterpoint to Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead": Ada Louise Huxtable gives us a satisfying and up-to-date story of the roguish, egotistical, despicable, brilliant, and completely human FLW, in a biography thoroughly researched and wonderfully told. An added plus: Huxtable's superb and often poetic descriptions of some of Wright's architectural masterpieces. Also, for Rand readers, a hilarious anecdote involving the avatar of objectivism. A must read!