Home | Recent Changes | Building Sites | Books | Quotations | Contacts | Links
Books

My Book Collection

In most cases the books below have direct links to Amazon or Alibris where you can learn more or purchase the book if desired. Alibris is a used book seller that tends to have a broader variety of used books than Amazon. Shining Brow Books specializes in Frank Lloyd Wright books, but they don't have an affiliate program so I can't provide direct links.

Books in order of copyright date:
Studies and Executed Buildings
by Frank Lloyd Wright, Anthony Alofsin.
A 1998 printing of a facsimile of the original Wasmuth folios printed circa 1911. This is a magnificent book and to quote the Preface: "Had his career stopped in 1910, and these plates been his only publication, Wright would still be considered a stunning figure in the global history of architecture." The book contains the Preface, Wright's introduction and 99 plates. (A Christmas '99 gift from my parents. My father is an architect.)
 Frank Lloyd Wright An Autobiography
by Frank Lloyd Wright © 1943 (1998 Barnes & Noble Books)
I don't know if it was the standard style of writing for the day, but I found this a difficult book to read. It is good for looking up quotations of course. There is no index. There was an index built, possibly as a graduate research project, by Linn Ann Cowles. It is hard to find. See the entry below for more details.
 An American Architecture
by Frank Lloyd Wright © 1955 (1998 Barnes & Noble Books, Edited by Edgar Kaufmann)
A reprint of the 1955 classic. Fortunately for collectors with limited resources (i.e. me), Barnes & Noble seems to be into reprinting Wright's books.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel
by Cary James © 1968 (Dover edition 1988)
Together They Built a Mountain
by Patricia Talbot Davis © 1974
Purchased on a visit to Temple Beth Shalom.
 An Index and Guide to AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY
The 1943 Edition
Prepared by Linn Ann Cowles
A Greenwich Design Publication
Copyright © 1976 by Linn Cowles
This was my first "rare book" (not really expensive) purchase. This index is hard to find and may have been a thesis project by Linn Cowles. It is very useful for researching Frank Lloyd Wright's Autobiography and finding quotes related to indexed topics. I thank her for publishing her efforts!

Keep an eye on Shining Brow Books and Alibris if you want to find this book. Shining Brow Books specializes in Frank Lloyd Wright related publications and in my experience has better prices.
Years with Frank Lloyd Wright Apprentice to Genius
by Edgar Tafel © 1979
Frank Lloyd Wright Letters to Apprentices
Selected and with commentary
by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer © 1982
by the Frank Lloyd Wright Memorial Foundation
I purchased this book on our visit to Taliesin East in the summer of 2000.
FALLINGWATER: A Frank Lloyd Wright Country House
by Edgar Kaufmann Jr. © 1986
A Christmas '95 gift from my parents.
Many Masks: A Life of Frank Lloyd Wright
by Brendan Gill © 1987
The second biography of Wright that I am reading (12/99). So far more humorous and not as chronological as Meryle Secrest's book. Hmm, but be aware of the following comment about the book by Peter Reidy: "I particularly and heartily do not recommend Brendan Gill's Many Masks (New York: Putnam, 1987); although it brings some interesting facts to light, especially about Wright's family and childhood, Gill's snide tone and frequent inaccuracies render his book nearly worthless."
(Full text is lengthy and can be found at www.objectivistcenter.org.)
Many Masks: A Life of Frank Lloyd Wright
by Brendan Gill © 1987
The second biography of Wright that I am reading (12/99). So far more humorous and not as chronological as Meryle Secrest's book. Hmm, but be aware of the following comment about the book by Peter Reidy: "I particularly and heartily do not recommend Brendan Gill's Many Masks (New York: Putnam, 1987); although it brings some interesting facts to light, especially about Wright's family and childhood, Gill's snide tone and frequent inaccuracies render his book nearly worthless."
(Full text is lengthy and can be found at www.objectivistcenter.org.)
Memoirs of an American Artist
by Sculptor Richard W. Bock
Edited by Dorathi Bock Pierre © 1989
Frank Lloyd Wright commissioned Richard Bock on many sculptures including the "boulder" figures at Wright's Oak Park Studio. I learned of this book after my tour of the studio in March of 2003 and found the book through Alibris.
Truth Against the WorldTruth Against the World : Frank Lloyd Wright Speaks for an Organic Architecture
by Frank Lloyd Wright, Patrick J. Meehan (Editor) © 1987, 1992
This book is an excellent source for Wright's speeches. (A Christmas '99 gift from my aunt and uncle.)
The Meeting House: Heritage and Vision
by Mary Jane Hamilton © 1991
Published by The Friends of the Meeting House
I purchased this on our visit to the Unitarian Meeting House in Madison in the summer of 2000. If you are interested, you might be able to purchase it from the Friends of the Meeting House organization. Try their website.
Frank Lloyd Wright
by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer © 1991
(1998 by Borders Press, also 2000 by Taschen)
This book has both English and the German translation.
Frank Lloyd Wright Biography (Secrest)Frank Lloyd Wright: A Biography
by Meryle Secrest © 1992
The first biography of Mr. Wright that I read. Well written.
The Frank Lloyd Wright CompanionThe Frank Lloyd Wright Companion
by William Allin Storrer © 1993

Read more about Storrer's books.
 MasterworksFrank Lloyd Wright The Masterworks
by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer and David Larkin © 1993
(A Christmas '98 gift from April and Dean.)
About Wright, An Album of Recollections by Those Who Knew Frank Lloyd WrightAbout Wright, An Album of Recollections by Those Who Knew Frank Lloyd Wright
by Edgar Tafel © 1993
I enjoyed hearing Mr. Tafel speak at the Designing with Light II symposium in New York City in June of 2001. Some interesting Wright stories in this book.
Frank Lloyd Wright Glass ArtFrank Lloyd Wright Glass Art
by Thomas Heinz © 1994
Beautifully illustrated oversized book with interesting notes throughout. He has a later book that is also excellent and more compact.
(A Christmas '98 gift from my parents.)
 Taliesin
(Brochure with multiple photographs)
© 1995 by the Taliesin Preservation Commission

I purchased this brochure on our visit to Taliesin in the summer of 2000.
Frank Lloyd Wright Design
by Maria Costantino © 1995
Glass Designs BookFrank Lloyd Wright's Glass Designs
by Carla Lind © 1995
Wright SitesWright Sites
Edited by Arlene Sanderson © 1995

A guide to Frank Lloyd Wright public places. A good reference if you are touring his public sites.
Frank Lloyd Wright: Designs for an American Landscape
by David G. De Long © 1996

I purchased this book because it seems to cover Wright's use of the landscape in great depth. It also deals with a time period that most other books don't cover well and includes many drawings not found in other books. There is also an unusual section by C. Ford Peatross that covers "The Automobile in Architectural Representation Before 1930" which I look forward to reading.
Gatefold Portfolio BookFrank Lloyd Wright, A Gatefold Portfolio
by Robin Langley Sommer © 1997
 Peterson Cottage BookFrank Lloyd Wright's Seth Peterson Cottage: Rescuing a Lost Masterwork
by John Eifler and Kristin Visser © 1997
I purchased this paperback on our visit to the Seth Peterson Cottage in the summer of 2000.
Monona Terrace: Frank Lloyd Wright's Vision on the Lake
Edited by Margo O'Brien Hokanson © 1997 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
I purchased this paperback on our visit to the Monona Terrace in the summer of 2000.
Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie'
by Melanie Birk © 1998
Life and Works Book by CostantinoThe Life and Works of Frank Lloyd Wright
by Maria Costantino © 1998
50 Favorite Furnishings Book50 Favorite Furnishings by Frank Lloyd Wright
by Diane Maddex © 1998

(A Christmas '99 gift from Chuck and Joanne, also April.)
Frank Lloyd Wright & the Prairie School in Wisconsin
Purchased in preparation for a trip to Minnesota/Wisconsin in Summer 2000.
Skyscraper Book CoverFrank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan and the Skyscraper
by Donald Hoffmann © 1998

Purchased when I visited the Price Tower.
Visual Encyclopedia BookFrank Lloyd Wright : A Visual Encyclopedia

(A Christmas '99 gift from Allison and Howard.)
Western Work BookFrank Lloyd Wright: The Western Work
by Dixie Legler © 1999
Vision of FLW BookThe Vision of Frank Lloyd Wright
by Thomas A. Heinz © 2000

Also received the paperback edition © 2002 for Christmas 2004.
A Living Architecture (Rattenbury)A Living Architecture
Frank Lloyd Wright and Taliesin Architects
by John Rattenbury © 2000

A great coffee table book. Some notable quotes from FLLW in addition to some great photographs. I found my copy at a bargain book stack at Borders (October 2006).
Frank Lloyd Wright Lightscreens (Heinz)Frank Lloyd Wright's Stained Glass & Lightscreens
by Thomas A. Heinz

A nice addition to his earlier book on Frank Lloyd Wright Art Glass.
(A Christmas '00 gift from Dad and Marion.)
Frank Lloyd Wright Lightscreens (Sloan)Light Screens: The Leaded Glass of Frank Lloyd Wright
by Julie L. Sloan © 2001

I purchased this book during the symposium associated with the FLW art glass exhibit in New York. Signed by the author. The big brother to this book is on my wish list below.
Frank Lloyd Wright and the Art of JapanFrank Lloyd Wright and the Art of Japan : The Architect's Other Passion
by Julia Meech © 2001

A fascinating book covering Frank Lloyd Wright's involvement with Japanese prints (ukiyo-e) especially. The orient had obvious influence on Wright's work, but the extent of his financial involvement is not as well known. This book explores the topic thoroughly and it is entertaining to read. Highly recommended.
Frank Lloyd Wright Year by Year
by Iain Thomson © 2003
Martin House Complex (Neufeld)Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House Complex
Lesley Neufeld © 2004

I purchased this booklet (36 pages) during my visit to the Martin House in 2006. It's a worthwhile purchase if you will be visiting Buffalo and plan to visit the complex.
Taliesin Reflections (Nisbet)Taliesin Reflections
My Years Before, During, and After Living with Frank Lloyd Wright
by Earl Nisbet © 2006

I have reviewed this book at Amazon. Earl Nisbet has a web site at: www.earlnisbet.com.

Amazon.comAlibris.com
Return to the top of the pageLasted edited on October 28, 2006