Leo T. reviewed Empire State Building: When New York Reached for the Skies (Wonders of the World Book) on + 1775 more book reviews
Many photos, supplemented by nice drawings by Alan Witschonke. I am glad to see Al Smith remembered 75 years after his death; "Let's look at the record," he would say. Note the Indians who had the guts to do steel framing at such heights and who enjoyed the good pay. I believe the Immigration Act of 1965 has pretty much squeezed them out of the business--many enjoyed working hard and then returning to the rez to kick back with their hard earned money.
And I am glad to see Lewis Hine remembered. The story of how they trumped the Chrysler Building (to become the tallest) is not always remembered and I did not know how solicitious they were of the welfare of the workingmen (low cost lunchrooms, shifts limited to eight hours, $15 an hour! During the Depression, just after this building was completed and they were mostly laid off from such work, $20 a week was sufficient for a single guy or gal to squeak by in NYC. Engineering of the footing, the load bearing piers, mullions, etc. all is briefly explained and illustrated.
Glossary, Bibliography, Map, and Index.
And I am glad to see Lewis Hine remembered. The story of how they trumped the Chrysler Building (to become the tallest) is not always remembered and I did not know how solicitious they were of the welfare of the workingmen (low cost lunchrooms, shifts limited to eight hours, $15 an hour! During the Depression, just after this building was completed and they were mostly laid off from such work, $20 a week was sufficient for a single guy or gal to squeak by in NYC. Engineering of the footing, the load bearing piers, mullions, etc. all is briefly explained and illustrated.
Glossary, Bibliography, Map, and Index.
