The New York Public Library: The Architecture and Decoration of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

I am so lucky to have found this vendor on the Amazon Marketplace. I purchased a brand new book, still shrink wrapped for half of what others were asking for it. This is no small book but rather a full size coffee table edition. The packaging was exceptional and the item arrived without a mark on it!To Best and Fastest Books Inc, well done and thank you!

I just returned from NYC. My companion suggested we go to the library. I wasn't that excited about it but I figured I didn't mind tagging along. I am SO glad we went!! I was an Art major in college, but I didn't study much about architecture. Still, who can resist classic architecture? It turns out that the NYC Public Library building is the most famous Beaux Arts style building in America!! The Ecole de Beaux Art in Paris was a school of art (and architecture) that looked to the art of ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. This book takes you on an OVERWHELMINGLY GORGEOUS tour of the library, starting on the outside where the 2 famous lions guard the doorway to knowledge. EVERYWHERE you turn there is a new detail to see--every wall, every light, every ceiling, every door, every bench, every arch, every column. You simply can't take it all in in one day. I would be happy to live in NYC--in spite of how I HATE big cities--just to spend a lot of time here, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum. That's all the excitement I would need to be content. But I digress--by the end of a few hours my feet were killing me so after I got home I ordered this book. Now, with my feet UP I can relive my glorious day at the NYC Public Library:)

My husband expressed admiration for the New York City library building itself. This book covers the Architect, the architecture, materials in to some degree methods. He loves it

Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL book. NO architectural detail-related stone remains unturned in this AMAZING volume. Anne Day's photographs are exquisite and make you feel as though you are in the library. If you've ever visited this marvelous building you know you could easily spend an entire day marveling at the endless details--this book takes you on the best, most comprehensive personal tour you could imagine.It's important to note, however, the more knowledgeable you are of architectural terminology the better when reading this book as the majority of it is written in "one very experienced architect to another" style.That said, reading this book is an uber-informative (and interesting) grad school level, all-access lesson on every single detail of the structure, inside and out, from various column dimensions/styles to lamp post design, to giant urn placement to scrolls on marble stairway vaults.I've always loved this building. It's hands-down one of my favorites in the city, but now I have a TRUE APPRECIATION for it. After reading this book, so will you (even if you haven't yet visited!).

The New York Public Library is one of the greatest Beaux Arts buildings in America. It was constructed at a time when communities took great pride in their public facilities--an attitude sadly lost in the present era. This book is a very detailed account of the construction and decor of the library.The volume is a revised version of an earlier work of smaller format and few color photographs. With the interior and exterior of the library having now been restored, it made perfect sense to include entirely new color photographs in far greater numbers. The images are stunning. As in the original version, there is a substantial section on the technical nomenclature for architectural elements that is a valuable reference.I recommend this book to those with a serious interest in architecture and others who merely emjoy looking at beautiful interiors from an earlier era.

I bought this book following our vacation trip to New York City,and wanted to learn more about one of the City's landmarks. The book is interesting mostly for architects and decorators that specialize in Classical style. It is printed on very good quality paper and has good pictures, but for the non-specialist is of limited interest, due to its emphasis on interior decorations. I was expecting more details on structural engineering and history on how the work was done to erect the building, but the book barely touches these topics. Overall, good but could have been much better.

As I adore the New York Public Library this book is a GEM to me. Brilliantly photographed, with this book I feel I can stroll into this manificient building anytime, although I am 3000 miles away. Very informative and interesting read.

There was no sleeve. Some of the pages were stuck together; the book clearly had had water/damp damage. Disappointing.

I've few books about Carrere and Hastings Architects and their work before I purchased this book. New York Public Library is one of their masterpieces and it's also a cultural symbol of New York city. It worth to know more about this building and its design stories behind those splendid images. The author should provide more drawings such as floor plans and sections. For people who treasure books or who appreciate human intellectual evolution, this book is a must. With the popularity of today's electronic gadgets, few people spend time on books and time in library, could library disappear from our life in the near future?

...über die NY Public Library. Unglaublich viele Fotos und Detailwissen zu beinahe jedem Stein, jeder Laterne und jeder Figur, die verbaut wurden. Für Fans ein Muss!

Un magnifique ouvrage sur les splendeurs de ce bijou de l'architecture new-yorkaise.