Everything by Design: My Life as an Architect
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Book Overview
Alan Lapidus's life has been a Zelig-like romp through most of the cultural and political highlights of the recent past. He has popped up as architect for or observer of many of our era's most iconic figures, including Donald Trump, various Mafia big shots, mayors, Aristotle and Jackie Onassis, Bob Guccione, pit bosses, real estate legends, and spies. "Everything by Design" takes us behind the scenes in Las Vegas, Disney World, Havana, Atlantic City, Moscow, the Amazon rainforest, and New York. Along the way we learn why Mickey Mouse never seems to use the restroom, why the baccarat tables in casinos are always far away from the dice tables, why the CIA wanted him to redesign Havana's main synagogue, and why the tunnels under the Hotel Moskva can't be touched. " Everything by Design" is a keenly observed social and cultural history of modern America by one of its key shapers.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0312361661
ISBN13:9780312361662
Release Date:October 2007
Publisher:St. Martin's Press
Length:308 Pages
Weight:0.05 lbs.
Dimensions:1.1" x 6.4" x 9.4"
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
The reality of building.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
I've been in construction for many decades and am always on the lookout for books that describe how things really are for those of who live with developers, architects and all the really interesting people in this industry. Without a doubt, Everything by Design is one of the best I've read in years. Mr Lapidus is right on in his descriptions of how it is with clients and contractors, and he tells his stories in a very entertaining way. If you're in this business and understand the way things work, you can can just sit back and enjoy the trip along with him. But even if you don't understand the details of building things, he brings the characters he meets to life in a very real way. Overall, this story of his career is a fine way to spend an evening or two enjoying a really good read.
Waiting for Volume 2!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
This is a thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating book. It never got boring! Loved the scenes with the "rich and famous," and I would like to see the author publish Volume 2 - I am sure there are many more interesting stories that he did not have room for here.
Not Quite Everything By Design
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
Despite a few errors of fact, this is a fascinating story. It is written, for the most part, in language that is easy for lay persons to understand. An interesting exercise is to read passages in Alan Lapidus' book alongside very different recollections of the same event or design in his father, Morris Lapidus' books.
Everything you ever wanted to know and fun!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
This is a fantastic book. It's informative and a riot. Believe me you will never look at a building, a gambling casino, or a Disney offering the same way. You may even learn to love Donald Trump. You will certainly love Alan Lapidus. Kudos!!
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