In the quarter century from San Franciscorsquo;s devasting fire of 1906 to the beginning of the Great Depression; as automobiles exploded in popularity; new buildings had to be conceived and constructed to provide parking space and repair facilities. This book studies a number of the resulting public garages that featured faccedil;ade designs based on historical architectural styles. Considering the garagesrsquo; function; the faccedil;ades exhibit a surprising grace and nobility. Through an analysis complemented by photographs (including sixty by noted architectural photographer Sharon Risedorph) and drawings; the author dissects the architectural and cultural factors that lie at the heart of this unexpected merit.Addressing the discrepancy between the buildingsrsquo; beauty and the assumption that old garages are unsightly and disposable; the book examines them as cultural artifacts of the dawn of the Motor Age. The garage is presented as a new form of transportation depot; employing architectural symbolism to celebrate the ascendancy of the automobile over the train. Today; the surviving buildings are vulnerable to real estate development; in part because their quality is misunderstood. The bookmdash;a fresh perspective on the value of older utilitarian buildingsmdash;concludes with a call to preserve these structures and adapt them to compatible new uses.
#2630092 in eBooks 2013-05-24 2013-05-24File Name: B00D3QCY5M
Review
147 of 154 people found the following review helpful. Get the audio book! (Also available on Audible.com)By Ty BradyGet the audio book!!Oh; give me a break; what a wonderful performance by Marty; and thats no lie. Can I call him Marty? I suppose if we were best friends; I could call him Marty. Oh and I suppose that would ever happen! This book made me completely mental; I was so sad when the book finished and there was nothing more to listen to; it was similar to a pain that may linger; I must say. Seriously though; Martin Short reads this and he goes into character many times throughout the book; that is why the audio book would be better. Im sure the printed version is funny; but the audio version must be funnier.42 of 45 people found the following review helpful. Thanks for Remembering!By S. LawrenceMartin Short is comprised of the funniest stuff in our solar system. The book reads marvelously; like hes sitting next to you telling all of these fantastic show biz anecdotes. My favorite part is the insider report from SCTV; just the best comedy show ever. He explains how his characters came to be - a laugh from this person; a voice from that one; a soupccedil;on of Old Hollywood; et voilagrave;! Genius.Somehow I knew going in that he lost his wife; Nancy. This would be difficult for anyone; but the prospect of Short being sad is almost as sad as Ed Grimley being sad. But the way he weaves her quips and attitude throughout I Must Say shows the reader that shes still very present; that as long as hes here; shes here as well.Even in the sadness theres an undercurrent of joy that comes through. Short and his long-time friends - like his SCTV alums; or Paul Schaffer; Tom Hanks; and Steve Martin; - seem a happy; even at times goofball; troupe going through life; laughing and making each other laugh. A really nice read.21 of 22 people found the following review helpful. touching.....in all the right placesBy Emmett OtterPoignant and hilarious; and I couldnt put it down. Hes had a charmed life; with what seems like a wonderful family and great friends. it was fabulous to read about him. Im a huge fan. As an 8 year old girl I was obsessed with sctv and all things Martin Short; still am. Interesting to see how he dealt with the stress and pressure of a performers life; how he worked to remain positive all the while. I can apply it to my life as well! So thanks for that Mr. Short. The parts about his wife and her illness were heartbreaking but so beautiful. Its up there with george carlin and Steve martins autobiographies.