The Skyward Trend of Thought: Metaphysics of the American Skyscraper

" The Skyward Trend of Thought is one of those texts which, however disputable, will leave the subject permanently altered. Historical and critical writing on skyscrapers can never be the same again." -- Reyner Banham " A fascinating document ... van Leeuwen takes up all the metaphors for tall buildings: the skyscraper as Tower of Babel, as analog to man, as frozen fountain, as secular cathedral. His knowledge of American architectural history is astonishing, and his European perspective is refreshingly free of certain fashionable American biases." -- Michele Herman, "Metropolis" & quot; The Skyward Trend of Thought is one of those texts which, however disputable, will leave the subject permanently altered. Historical and critical writing on skyscrapers can never be the same again.& quot; -- Reyner Banham & quot; A fascinating document ... van Leeuwen takes up all the metaphors for tall buildings: the skyscraper as Tower of Babel, as analog to man, as frozen fountain, as secular cathedral. His knowledge of American architectural history is astonishing, and his European perspective is refreshingly free of certain fashionable American biases.& quot; -- Michele Herman, Metropolis "A fascinating document ... van Leeuwen takes up all the metaphors for tall buildings: the skyscraper as Tower of Babel, as analog to man, as frozen fountain, as secular cathedral. His knowledge of American architectural history is astonishing, and his European perspective is refreshingly free of certain fashionable American biases."--Michele Herman, "Metropolis" "The Skyward Trend of Thought is one of those texts which, however disputable, will leave the subject permanently altered. Historical and critical writing on skyscrapers can never be the same again."--Reyner Banham