Eero Saarinen

Library Journal

The second monograph on Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen to be published recently-after Antonio Rom n's Eero Saarinen: An Architecture of Multiplicity-heralds a revival of the multifaceted modernist whose work has been largely off the architectural radar since his premature death in 1961. (A major retrospective exhibition opening in Helsinki and touring Europe and the United States from 2006 to 2010 might have something to do with this resurgence of interest.) Saarinen had no signature style but instead created uniquely independent projects like the TWA terminal in New York and the John Deere headquarters in Moline, IA. Architectural historian Merkel organizes her survey of Saarinen's work chronologically and includes more than 60 of the architect's commissions and competition entries. Her book is more fluid than Rom n's as well as more heavily illustrated, though there is substantial overlap between the two in the use of period photographs. Each author has interviewed (the same) colleagues and associates to good purpose, and there are no radical differences in the results. But Merkel's book simply offers more, including a stronger feeling for the man himself. Buy both; but if you can afford only one, Merkel should be it.-Jack Perry Brown, Art Inst. of Chicago Libs. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.