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Rating: 
Summary: Magnificent!
Review: A great deal has been written about the work of architects Charles and Henry Greene, but never before has such a detailed monograph been published about one of the homes that they designed. Randell Makinson's narrative provides a thorough historical background of the Blacker Family from their Ontario origin to their final home and its construction by the Greene brothers in the Oak Knoll subdivision of Pasadena. The story continues with the 1947 subdivision of the 5.1 acre estate into seven separate parcels and the eventual removal and sale of the original furniture, light fixtures and art-glass windows (all designed by the Greenes). The book concludes with a detailed description of the restoration process that began when the current owners purchased the home in 1993, and was basically completed in 1998. Historical narratives, while full of useful and interesting information, are typically a little monotonous. That is not the case with this book. Mr. Makinson's obvious passion for the work of Greene and Greene, and for this house in particular, is evident. His description of the removal of 53 light fixtures from the house in 1985 left a lump in my throat. I could not put the book down until I read the happy ending about the house's restoration. I had the privilege of visiting the Blacker House on October 6th, and viewing firsthand the results of the restoration effort. While nothing can quite compare to walking through this masterpiece and touching the magnificent woodwork, I can assure you that the marvelous photography of Thomas Heinz and Brad Pitt comes very close. The collection of photographs in this book is absolutely wonderful. The interplay of light and shadows, the warmth and depth that the colors bring to the images, and the visual compositions themselves cause me to rank these among the best architectural photographs ever published. This is a must-have book for anyone interested in Arts and Crafts architecture. The contribution of Charles and Henry Greene to the American architectural vernacular can never be overstated, and this house is certainly one of their most important contributions to the art. Thank you Randell, Thomas and Brad for supplying a valuable addition to my library. I hope this is the first in a series of books about the "ultimate bungalows."
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent!
Review: A great deal has been written about the work of architects Charles and Henry Greene, but never before has such a detailed monograph been published about one of the homes that they designed. Randell Makinson's narrative provides a thorough historical background of the Blacker Family from their Ontario origin to their final home and its construction by the Greene brothers in the Oak Knoll subdivision of Pasadena. The story continues with the 1947 subdivision of the 5.1 acre estate into seven separate parcels and the eventual removal and sale of the original furniture, light fixtures and art-glass windows (all designed by the Greenes). The book concludes with a detailed description of the restoration process that began when the current owners purchased the home in 1993, and was basically completed in 1998. Historical narratives, while full of useful and interesting information, are typically a little monotonous. That is not the case with this book. Mr. Makinson's obvious passion for the work of Greene and Greene, and for this house in particular, is evident. His description of the removal of 53 light fixtures from the house in 1985 left a lump in my throat. I could not put the book down until I read the happy ending about the house's restoration. I had the privilege of visiting the Blacker House on October 6th, and viewing firsthand the results of the restoration effort. While nothing can quite compare to walking through this masterpiece and touching the magnificent woodwork, I can assure you that the marvelous photography of Thomas Heinz and Brad Pitt comes very close. The collection of photographs in this book is absolutely wonderful. The interplay of light and shadows, the warmth and depth that the colors bring to the images, and the visual compositions themselves cause me to rank these among the best architectural photographs ever published. This is a must-have book for anyone interested in Arts and Crafts architecture. The contribution of Charles and Henry Greene to the American architectural vernacular can never be overstated, and this house is certainly one of their most important contributions to the art. Thank you Randell, Thomas and Brad for supplying a valuable addition to my library. I hope this is the first in a series of books about the "ultimate bungalows."
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book for those interested in Greene and Greene
Review: I guess it's a small world, as I was also at the Blacker house on 6 October. (It was a Pasadena Heritage event. They play an important role in preserving the work of Greene and Greene and other outstanding architects in the Pasadena area.) While I agree that this is an excellent book on the Blacker House for those interested in Greene and Greene or in Craftsman architecture in general, I would recommend that anyone looking for an introduction to the work of Greene and Greene start either with one of Makinson's books on their work or with Edward R. Bosley's recent book. When you get hooked you can come back for this book.
Rating:
Summary: Genius
Review: I had the extreme pleasure of being part of the production of this masterpiece by Mr. Makinson. I can tell you from an insiders point of view that, much research, time and love went into this creation.
Mr. Makinson is a perfectionist extrordiaire. Trust me when I tell you, each and every texture,color,and tone is just as it is in the actual home. Not like many books or photos. I promise you this: This book will make you feel as if you are there walking through the history of this remarkable landmark.
During production I read this book countless times. Even now several years later, I will pick it up and find myself immersed in the splendor of a marvelous works.
Jeremy Michael Davis
Rating: 
Summary: Great photos of a true masterwork
Review: I must admit to being rather enamored with the work of Greene and Greene. I've visited a number of their homes in Pasadena, but have not yet had the opportunity to view the Blacker House (from the inside anyway). Over the last ten years, I have read about every book written on the brothers, and when I read the pre-release description of this book I was very excited. In particular, I was interested in learning in detail how this wonderful quality work was reproduced and restored by today's craftsmen. While this book does a great job covering the history and detail of the house, this is not new territory if you're familiar with the previous body of work. I really had my hopes up that the hammer and nails detail of this monumental restoration would be covered in such a fashion as to provide working information applicable to new design. The work of Greene and Greene carried residential detail design in wood and metal to it's zenith. With the structure exposed, this was really a magnificent chance to highlight the subtlties that set their work apart. This does not happen here. My comments may be a little unfair but this book ends up being another "architectural" reference. I was looking for something that broke new ground. This being said, I still love the book, and am glad to have it in my library.
Rating:
Summary: Great photos of a true masterwork
Review: I must admit to being rather enamored with the work of Greene and Greene. I've visited a number of their homes in Pasadena, but have not yet had the opportunity to view the Blacker House (from the inside anyway). Over the last ten years, I have read about every book written on the brothers, and when I read the pre-release description of this book I was very excited. In particular, I was interested in learning in detail how this wonderful quality work was reproduced and restored by today's craftsmen. While this book does a great job covering the history and detail of the house, this is not new territory if you're familiar with the previous body of work. I really had my hopes up that the hammer and nails detail of this monumental restoration would be covered in such a fashion as to provide working information applicable to new design. The work of Greene and Greene carried residential detail design in wood and metal to it's zenith. With the structure exposed, this was really a magnificent chance to highlight the subtlties that set their work apart. This does not happen here. My comments may be a little unfair but this book ends up being another "architectural" reference. I was looking for something that broke new ground. This being said, I still love the book, and am glad to have it in my library.
Rating: 
Summary: good stuff but lotsa filler
Review: it's hard to miss with a subject like greene & greene architecture, and the blacker house and its story are especially interesting. this book gives info and photos on the construction, furniture, and restoration, as well as the usual great photos, interior and exterior, of the house itself.
two gripes - 1. the size - it's one of those odd-size books [about a foot square] that doesn't "fit" with your other books on the shelf. 2. there's lots of filler - more history of mr. blacker and his family, stiltingly told, than i cared to know, and 14 pages of brad pitt photos that are interesting in their way, [artsy, silvery b&w's] but i'd have preferred more info on the house. [though it is nice to know that an actor has a keen interest in this kind of architecture.]
for greene & greene completists, buy! for others, pick from the other greene & greene books.
Rating:
Summary: good stuff but lotsa filler
Review: it's hard to miss with a subject like greene & greene architecture, and the blacker house and its story are especially interesting. this book gives info and photos on the construction, furniture, and restoration, as well as the usual great photos, interior and exterior, of the house itself.
two gripes - 1. the size - it's one of those odd-size books [about a foot square] that doesn't "fit" with your other books on the shelf. 2. there's lots of filler - more history of mr. blacker and his family, stiltingly told, than i cared to know, and 14 pages of brad pitt photos that are interesting in their way, [artsy, silvery b&w's] but i'd have preferred more info on the house. [though it is nice to know that an actor has a keen interest in this kind of architecture.]
for greene & greene completists, buy! for others, pick from the other greene & greene books.
Rating:
Summary: good stuff but lotsa filler
Review: it's hard to miss with a subject like greene & greene architecture, and the blacker house and its story are especially interesting. this book gives info and photos on the construction, furniture, and restoration, as well as the usual great photos, interior and exterior, of the house itself.
two gripes - 1. the size - it's one of those odd-size books [about a foot square] that doesn't "fit" with your other books on the shelf. 2. there's lots of filler - more history of mr. blacker and his family, stiltingly told, than i cared to know, and 14 pages of brad pitt photos that are interesting in their way, [artsy, silvery b&w's] but i'd have preferred more info on the house. [though it is nice to know that an actor has a keen interest in this kind of architecture.]
for greene & greene completists, buy! for others, pick from the other greene & greene books.
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