The Master Builders


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Hitler's Engineers


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“An intriguing account of two of Nazi Germany’s top architects” and how their work prolonged the war for months—includes hundreds of photos (WWII History). A Selection of the Military Book Club. While Nazi Germany’s temporary ascendancy owed much to military skill, the talent of its engineers not only buoyed the regime but allowed it to survive longer than would normally be expected. This unique work focusing on Fritz Todt and Albert Speer is based on many previously unpublished photographs and artwork from captured Nazi records. Todt was the brilliant builder of the world’s first superhighway system, the Autobahn, and the architect of the German West Wall, the Siegfried Line, that predated the later Atlantic and East Walls. The builder of each of the wartime “Führer Headquarters,” as well as the submarine pens, Todt was killed in a still-mysterious airplane crash that may well have been a Nazi death plot, though he was given a state funeral by Hitler. Todt was succeeded as German Minister of Armaments and War Production by the Führer’s longtime personal architect, Albert Speer, who was described by the Allies after the war as having prolonged the conflict by at least a year. Called a genius by Hitler, Speer designed and built the prewar Nuremberg Nazi Party Congress rally stands and buildings. More importantly, amid the constant rain of Allied bombs and the Soviet advances from the East, Speer managed to keep the German industrial machine running until the spring of 1945, though it was driven ever further underground. He also allocated resources to fortifications and counterattacks, like the V-missile installations, against both West and East, in attempts to stave off defeat. Convicted as a war criminal at Nuremberg, Speer served twenty years at Spandau Prison and remained a Nazi apologist who died in London in 1981 on the anniversary of the German invasion of Poland. Together, Todt and Speer were the pillars that propped up the Third Reich through the vicissitudes of battlefield fortune. With over three hundred photographs, this is the first work that examines their role in history’s most terrible war.




Master Builders of Byzantium


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Abstract:




Impossible Heights


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The advent of the airplane and skyscraper in 1920s and ‘30s America offered the population an entirely new way to look at the world: from above. The captivating image of an airplane flying over the rising metropolis led many Americans to believe a new civilization had dawned. In Impossible Heights, Adnan Morshed examines the aesthetics that emerged from this valorization of heights and their impact on the built environment. The lofty vantage point from the sky ushered in a modernist impulse to cleanse crowded twentieth-century cities in anticipation of an ideal world of tomorrow. Inspired by great new heights, American architects became central to this endeavor and were regarded as heroic aviators. Combining close readings of a broad range of archival sources, Morshed offers new interpretations of works such as Hugh Ferriss’s Metropolis drawings, Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion houses, and Norman Bel Geddes’s Futurama exhibit at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Transformed by the populist imagination into “master builders,” these designers helped produce a new form of visuality: the aesthetics of ascension. By demonstrating how aerial movement and height intersect with popular “superman” discourses of the time, Morshed reveals the relationship between architecture, art, science, and interwar pop culture. Featuring a marvelous array of never before published illustrations, this richly textured study of utopian imaginings illustrates America’s propulsion into a new cultural consciousness.




The Power of Boldness


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"Whatever you dream, begin it, for boldness has genius, power and magic in it." -Goethe What qualities brought America to its dominance of world industry? How will American technology fare in the new global marketplace? What upbringing, education, and personal traits are required to produce leaders who can succeed in this new world? Scan the bookstore shelves and you'll see dozens of attempts by authors to capture the essence of leadership and entrepreneurial success. In The Power of Boldness, the answers come from original sources: ten of the country's most successful business leaders, who share their experiences and insights in individual essays that are remarkable for their directness and personal detail. Six of the writers are inventors who created the enterprises to commercialize their ideasâ€"four assumed management of their fathers' companies and moved into new industrial and geographic markets. Born between 1897 and 1962, these outstanding figures collectively chronicle America's industrial rise since World War IIâ€"and share their perspectives on what lies ahead in the age of technology. In engaging and often humorous terms, these men describe how they managed to make the most of the economic and social ups and downs of the past decadesâ€"how boldness, clear thinking, and a willingness to learn saw them through the bad times and paved the way to their success. No other book gathers so distinguished a group of business figures: Stephen D. Bechtel, Jr., of Bechtel Group describes the rise, decline, and rise again of the world's largest heavy construction company. William M. Haney, III, of Molten Metal Technologyâ€"a strong believer in Goethe's maximâ€"overviews the opportunities in ecotechnology. Edward C. Johnson 3d, of Fidelity writes on the adventures of a "contrarian" in the financial arena. Gordon E. Moore of Intel explains how his firm became one of the world's largest producers of microprocessor chips and forecasts the future of the electronics industry. John F. Taplin, master inventor and founder of a number of companies, writes on the education of an inventor/entrepreneur. Thomas D. Cabot of Cabot Corporation, Robert Galvin of Motorola, George N. Hatsopoulos of Thermo Electron Corporation, and Ralph Landau of Halcon International, round out this group of master builders of America's industrial power. In an introduction and summing-up, Alfred Chandler, Jr., Pulitzer Prize-winning business historian, explores some of the themes that emerge from the personal essays. Capturing the spirit of innovation as well as the practicalities of business decision making, The Power of Boldness will be required reading for business executives, students of business, and anyone interested in the individual success stories behind America's technological leadership.




The Master Builders


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Is the system rigged so that only thieves reap rewards, while honest hardworking folks get the shaft?Johnny "The Snake" Serpente is a former Brooklyn mobster, a ruthless sociopath who's made a fortune building public housing using banned toxic materials that will endanger his tenants' health for generations. He has a stunning trophy wife who cheats on him indiscriminately.Builder Derek Davis has lost everything on a visionary project that he believed would change the way America lives, and is reduced to doing odd jobs to survive. To add to his woes, he's been beaten senseless ---likely on Serpente's orders in retaliation for an imaginary affair with his wife.His best friend, private investigator Riley King, uncovers Serpente's corruption and is determined to make him pay. As a side benefit, he intends to bed the man's seductive spouse."Neer's The Master Builders is a masterwork of modern PI fiction. Charlotte's streets may not seem as mean or as dark as New York's or LA's, but don't be fooled. Wherever there's money to be made, there's potential for mayhem, and ex-FBI agent Riley King finds more than his share. Sometimes, it finds him."~ -Reed Farrel Coleman, New York Times bestselling author of Where It Hurts."The Master Builders is aptly named--not just because of the subject matter but because Richard Neer does a masterful job of building a suspenseful plot around a fascinatingly flawed--but eminently sympathetic--main character. You won't want to put it down." -John Feinstein, New York Times bestselling author




Master Builder Roblox


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Driven by smart leadership and the constant evolution of computing hardware and software, Roblox has seen a surge in users over the past year. The company has shrewdly positioned itself as a powerful and flexible sandbox game, one which allows users to not only create their own structures, environments, and games, but also encourages them to come together socially and interact collectively. Roblox even gives kids a way to make real money on their creations!Master Builder Roblox: The Essential Guide provides users an exciting jumpstart into the fascinating, dynamic world of Roblox, and helps guide kids towards a fun and fulfilling experience. Main topics include an introduction to the world, a tour of the coolest and most popular games within the game, a quick-start guide on how to build, and an overview of the Roblox Studio Tabs--the toolbox for developing content in the game. Along with the essential content to help beginners dive into Roblox like pros, dozens of full-color gameplay photos will help readers navigate the grand world of Roblox and get them mastering and creating their own Roblox games in no time!




Trammell Crow, Master Builder


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Brings alive the story of Trammell Crow--the visionary real estate developer whose brilliant career served to shape the future of the field. Follows Crow from his origins as a small-time real estate dealer to his transformation into a corporate symbol. Discusses the bold methods that Crow used to build the most influential real estate company in America. Includes an examination of how Crow's risky strategy of making all principals partners in his firm and offering equity interest to deal managers paid off with spectacular profits. A lively account of Crow's mission to break all the rules and become the greatest builder of our age.




The Master Builder, and Other Plays


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Immerse yourself in the thought-provoking dramas of Henrik Ibsen with "The Master Builder, and Other Plays." Step into the world of Henrik Ibsen, one of the most influential playwrights of the 19th century, as he explores the complexities of human relationships, societal norms, and the pursuit of truth in this captivating collection of plays. Themes of ambition, morality, and the consequences of unchecked desire permeate the narratives, inviting readers to grapple with the ethical dilemmas and existential questions posed by Ibsen's thought-provoking dramas. From the psychological depth of "The Master Builder" to the social commentary of "An Enemy of the People" and the haunting symbolism of "Ghosts," each play offers a compelling exploration of the human condition. Through powerful dialogue and nuanced characterization, Ibsen brings to life a diverse cast of characters grappling with issues of identity, duty, and self-discovery. From the tormented artist Halvard Solness to the idealistic Dr. Stockmann and the haunted Mrs. Alving, each character is a complex and multifaceted reflection of the human experience, inviting readers to empathize with their struggles and triumphs. The overall tone of the collection is one of introspection and provocation, as Ibsen challenges readers to question their assumptions and confront uncomfortable truths about society and the self. Whether exploring the destructive power of societal pressure or the corrosive effects of guilt and betrayal, Ibsen's plays offer a searing critique of the hypocrisies and injustices of the world. "The Master Builder, and Other Plays" has earned widespread acclaim for its incisive wit, compelling characters, and profound insights into the human psyche. Critics and readers alike have praised Ibsen's ability to capture the complexities of human emotion and behavior with sensitivity and depth, making this collection a timeless classic of world literature. Whether you're a fan of classic drama or simply seeking thought-provoking literature that speaks to the human condition, "The Master Builder, and Other Plays" offers a captivating journey into the heart of Henrik Ibsen's masterful storytelling. Grab your copy now and prepare to be transported to a world of moral ambiguity, emotional intensity, and timeless relevance.




Leon Battista Alberti


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The Visual Poetics of Raymond Carver draws on the study of visual arts to illuminate the short stories of noted author Raymond Carver, in the broader context of vision and visualization in a literary text. Ayala Amir examines Carver's use of the eye-of-the-camera technique. Amir uncovers the tensions that structure his visual aesthetics and examines assumptions that govern scholarly discussions of his work, relating these matters to the complex nature of photography and to the current "visual turn"of cultural studies. The research uses visual approaches to reflect upon traditional issues of narrative study-duration, dialogue, narration, description, frame, character, and meaning. Amir shows how Carver's visual aesthetics shapes the meaning of his stories, while also challenging accepted notions of the boundaries of "the literary."