The Roaring Twenties in New York was a time of exuberant ambition; free-flowing optimism; an explosion of artistic expression in the age of Prohibition. New York was the city that embodied the spirit and strength of a newly powerful America. In 1924; in the vibrant heart of Manhattan; a fierce rivalry was born. Two architects; William Van Alen and Craig Severance (former friends and successful partners; but now bitter adversaries); set out to imprint their individual marks on the greatest canvas in the world--the rapidly evolving skyline of New York City. Each man desired to build the city’s tallest building; or ‘skyscraper.’ Each would stop at nothing to outdo his rival.Van Alen was a creative genius who envisioned a bold; contemporary building that would move beyond the tired architecture of the previous century. By a stroke of good fortune he found a larger-than-life patron in automobile magnate Walter Chrysler; and they set out to build the legendary Chrysler building. Severance; by comparison; was a brilliant businessman; and he tapped his circle of downtown; old-money investors to begin construction on the Manhattan Company Building at 40 Wall Street. From ground-breaking to bricklaying; Van Alen and Severance fought a cunning duel of wills. Each man was forced to revamp his architectural design in an attempt to push higher; to overcome his rival in mid-construction; as the structures rose; floor by floor; in record time. Yet just as the battle was underway; a third party entered the arena and announced plans to build an even larger building. This project would be overseen by one of Chrysler’s principal rivals--a representative of the General Motors group--and the building ultimately became known as The Empire State Building.Infused with narrative thrills and perfectly rendered historical and engineering detail; Higher brings to life a sensational episode in American history. Author Neal Bascomb interweaves characters such as Al Smith and Governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt; leading up to an astonishing climax that illustrates one of the most ingenious (and secret) architectural achievements of all time.
#632034 in eBooks 2003-10-21 2003-10-21File Name: B000FBJCQW
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Life Is Not a Fairy TaleBy JazzySinger; Fantasia takes us back to her roots in North Carolina where she describes her religious upbringing and the constant back and forth that a young girl goes through when trying to do right; but gets tempted by little things like we all do. Im glad that Fantasia really let us know that winning a singing contest does not necessarily mean you "made it" although a million in any sentence with money may appear like it to outsiders.Overall; Im glad that Fantasia made it through many obstacles and I will continue to enjoy her music.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Keepin it Real InspirationalBy RYCJHaving never seen one American Idol episode; though Ive heard of Fantasia; is what made her memoir a pleasure to read; particularly the section on how she came to American Idol; and how she sang her way into the number one spot. Good God this section carries a spiritual note; like nothing Ive ever read.The grandmother; and her mother; the friend Tory; and without doubt; her brother I applaud. And thinking back on that `defying moment; I applaud her father too. The inclusion of Clive Davis (in the Top 3 competition) ...man... I got a little choked up there. Really touching. The advice however; (for me) weighed down the memoir some. No doubt Fantasia kept it real; although being as young; she has at least five - six times of living and experiencing to revise her position on the apologizing; having regrets; and believing she made so many mistakes. Simply put; the divine energy that musicians project; none more so than a voice that becomes an American Idol; had to go through some things to come out over the top.Keepin it real; and short; Im convinced Ive now got to go sync up some Fantasia inspirational mood music!3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Fantasia; Our Natonal Treasure Can Write Too!By Chris BThis book tells the story of Fantasia Barrino; American Idol winner in 2003. This delightful presentation is due; in part; to Fantasias sense of herself in a world that she knows she can now leave behind but never lose sight of her beginnings lest she lose so much of her endearing charm as a person; a singer or a writer. Her voice is truly Gods gift to her and is given through her to her audience. Her story is not unlike many others she knows; however; what she hasnt yet realized is that she has given voice to tens of thousands of young women who have suffered a similar fate. This book is as honest and upfront as it gets and wields even more power because we know her from that other perspective...her success on American Idol. Life Is Not A Fairy Tale is the brave story of one womans struggle through adversity; shame and lonliness who; like a Phoenix; rose from the ashes of her life to become a Star! Well done; Fantasia!