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Anonymous
Posted May 24, 2007
A reviewer
Author, Daniel Libeskind, holds himself in very, VERY high regard, even as he has little or no time for anyone else on the planet. In some ways, the book was almost fun, reading one man's view of how great he thinks he is. But for me, as a reader, the book was embarrassing. It is hard to believe that anyone like this could take themselves so seriously. But for 288 pages, Libeskind shows that he loves himself very VERY much.
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Anonymous
Posted April 19, 2007
Architect Basks in his own Self Admiration
Architect Daniel Libeskind is infatuated with himself. This self-penned, self-glorifying book is a lesson in how NOT to get buildings built. Although the architect claims that 'architecture is the art of compromise', his book shows that his goal is to build monuments to himself, and that he does not have much tolerance for the opinions of others. I read that he planned to release this book on the 3rd anniversary of September 11, so he could tie his marketing into events intended to focus on the tragedy!!!??? - Very odd behaviour, but consistent with the person described in this odd book.
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Anonymous
Posted March 4, 2007
Not Recommended
This book is about Daniel Libeskind¿s personal mission to build knifelike, crystalline shapes no matter what the building program or context. His work seems to be about superficial shapes instead of innovative design. And Libeskind can¿t seem to work with people, listen to their needs or understand the unique urban context of any city in which he¿s hired to do work. So most of this book is about the author and his wife fighting with the public and municipalities trying to force Libeskind¿s ¿vision¿ on people who didn¿t really want it. (Not surprisingly, after the Denver Art Museum was deemed a failure, and totally unsuitable for the display of artworks, the City of Denver just rejected Libeskind¿s attempt to destroy their Civic Center Park with more meaningless designs and pointy shapes.) - Not recommended.
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Anonymous
Posted March 4, 2007
Not Recommended
This book is about Daniel Libeskind¿s personal mission to build knifelike, crystalline shapes no matter what the building program or context. His work seems to be about superficial shapes instead of innovative design. And Libeskind can¿t seem to work with people, listen to their needs or understand the unique urban context of any city in which he¿s hired to do work. So most of this book is about the author and his wife fighting with the public and municipalities trying to force Libeskind¿s ¿vision¿ on people who didn¿t really want it. (Not surprisingly, after the Denver Art Museum was deemed a failure, and totally unsuitable for the display of artworks, the City of Denver just rejected Libeskind¿s attempt to destroy their Civic Center Park with more meaningless designs and pointy shapes.) - Not recommended.
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Anonymous
Posted December 22, 2006
Vanity, Vanity, Vanity, everywhere
Architect's like Frank Lloyd Wright set a high bar for self-promotion and even more so for self-praise. But Daniel Libeskind makes even Wright look like a humble, modest man. This outrageously bad ego-tripping book is about as senseless as they come. Honestly, I was just waiting for the author to claim, 'And on the eighth day, I, Daniel Libeskind, created the world.'
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Anonymous
Posted June 25, 2006
Breaking Ground: The Gospel According to Daniel
For verily I say unto you, that thou shalt never call me Danny, but always DANIEL, the Great One, and that thou shalt have no false architects before me. And know that you are not worthy to partake of bread or wine with me, or even to toucheth the mold that grows between my toes. For I alone embody greatness and I alone know what is good for all cities and for all mankind. And so it be righteous and just that developers and their projects shall incur controversy, and shall lose time and their money. And they shall weep and lie in wait for my heel, for I am DANIEL, the Great One. And thou shalt always honor my word alone, but never snicker at my poetry, for before me all other men are but bile, putrefaction and sin. And thou shalt worship only me at the altar of the ¿Park of Heroes¿ and prostrate thyself at the ¿Wedge of Light¿, or at any other dumb name I come up with in lieu of a design. For know that if DANIEL maketh but a single mark on paper, whether or not such things make sense unto thee or unto thine, it will be greater than your own labors of many hours. And if ever we speaketh, it shall always be about me, DANIEL, and never about you. But do not speak to me of architecture unless it is to sacrifice your sweat and your blood to the glory of mine own name, DANIEL, or to offer your head as my footstool, for in this way you shall know even the greatness of my feet and of my custom-made cowboy boots. For thus sayeth the Lord that, ¿It will be easier for a rich man to get into heaven, than for an intern to be paid in Studio Libeskind.¿ And if I am vain, supercilious and a two-faced liar and a cheat, knoweth that it is because the Lord probably wished it so. - This is the word of DANIEL.
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Anonymous
Posted February 18, 2006
Childish Temper Tantrum
Will someone please give Daniel Libeskind his PMS Medication! Supposedly, this ranting tirade is a biography. In fact it seems to be a systematic backstabbing of anybody who questioned the very pretentious Libeskind¿s world view, a view where he sits god-like, lording over lesser mortals. The delusional author acts like a spoilt three-year old brat who throws a temper tantrum anytime he does not get his way. Try as he might, he can¿t seen to disguise a fundamentally nasty personality. Does he like or respect anyone but himself? Can he get along with anyone? ¿Breaking Ground¿ is about as sophisticated as the pre-fight dialogue for a World Wrestling Federation match, except Libeskind likes to kick below the belt when his opponents are not looking. All that¿s missing is the guttural grunts. It¿s hard to believe anyone is taken in by the self-serving gibberish that passes for design theory these days. - The book deserves zero stars, but that¿s not an option.
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Anonymous
Posted July 23, 2005
Self Flattery by Pretentious Architect
Daniel Libeskind seems to have gained notoriety by appearing radical but without doing anything really creative. This very strange and embarrassingly narcissistic autobiography reveals that he spends plenty of time stroking his outsized ego and very little on thoughtful design. What energy he has left is spent tarnishing the reputations of his competitors in a slimy gambit intended to make Libeskind look relatively great. But this tactic backfires, and the book only makes the author seem like an annoying fool. Libeskind's few built works are a hodgepodge of unsatisfying forms masquerading as new design. He confuses `being different' with being `talented', and likes referring to himself in glorified terms. For those not able to devote time to serious aesthetic inquiry, Libeskind's work gives them the quick and cheap substitute of 'novelty' in spades. For them, comprehension of Libeskind's work doesn't need to go any deeper than assuming sentimental names like 'The Park of Heroes' or 'The Wedge Of Light' carry with them an innate architectural value. If your idea of great architecture doesn't stretch further than naming a building 'The Freedom Tower' because it is 1776 feet tall, then look no further than Daniel Libeskind. But then ask yourself what happens to the `greatness' if it got built a couple of feet shorter. Hmmm??? Much of the book is a defense of Libeskind's Ground Zero fiasco and a spiteful attack on his critics. His patently insincere claims of deep personal empathy for the pain and suffering of Holocaust and September 11 victims will offend anyone who reads between the lines and sees this as cheap exploitation of major tragedies for personal and professional gain. Sara Crichton's scattered and colorless transcription only makes matters worse. If your name happens to be Daniel Libeskind, you will probably enjoy this self-reverential book. For anyone else, there's not much to hold a reader's attention.
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Anonymous
Posted January 26, 2005
Great Book
It was an exciting and inspiring page turner. You really get to know the great personality of Daniel Libeskind and all he's gone through in his life.
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Anonymous
Posted December 18, 2004
Living Architecture
Being student of design and architecture I have admired liebskind for a while, so i was excited to read his book. It was more than I had expected, with explanations of his earlier works woven in with a narration of his fight for the ground zero commission. Plus a lot of great memoir moments. I'm glad I bought it so I can read it again because it gives a lot of insight about architecture's role and the architect's responsibilities. I'm also glad he'll finally soon be getting the recognition he deserves for his ideas.
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