Where's My Space Age!

Rating:
Summary: A bit long-winded, but informative nevertheless
Review: "Where's My Space Age," packaged in a kitschy pink vinyl cover (not shown above), opens with a very detailed chapter chronicling the history of early space travel. Although it does drag on a bit, Topham includes enough historic tidbits to keep the reader awake for the pièce de résistance.

The section on 60s interior design is the highlight of the book and would be of great interest to fans of mod furniture and futuristic scapes. A host of full-color photos (some of which have been pilfered from "Blowup," another Topham publication) accompany a lengthy listing of notable creations and influential designers. Design-junkies may find Fiell's "Decorative Art 1960's" more visually appealing, but when it comes down to historic fact, I haven't found a more definitive resource than this title. I was also quite pleased by the visual presentation of the book. With at least one photo per page, the kitsch fanatic can get his or her fill of spacey goodness.

The final chapter covers the fall of futuristic design. The inclusion of Japanese artist Mariko Mori is, in my opinion, about the only reason to skim through this chapter. It is a necessary conclusion, but nothing we haven't read before.

Bottom line: This title is filled with enough content to make it both visually and informationally necessary for the personal library. Skip the history lesson and skim the last chapter, but don't let the meat of the book pass you by. Topham's book, despite its shortcomings, is a must-have for any fan of mid- 20th century design.