Empire State Building. (A Wonders of the World Book). Elizabeth Mann. Illustrated by Alan Witschonke. New York, NY: Mikaya Press (Distributed in Canada by Firefly Books), 2003. 48 pp., cloth, $28.95. ISBN 1-931414-06-8. Subject Headings: Buildings, Iron and Steel-Juvenile literature. Architecture-New York (State)-New York. Grades 4-8 / Ages 9-13. Review by Gail Hamilton. **** /4

excerpt:

Materials were unloaded from the hoists and onto little railroad cars. The cars were pushed by hand along miniature railroad tracks to the workers who needed the supplies. As work was finished on each story, the tracks were taken apart and reinstalled on a higher floor.

The construction of one of the world's most famous buildings is featured in this fascinating, informative book. In 1929, because land in some American cities was at a premium, buildings became increasingly taller to accommodate a growing population. A competition was held in New York City to see who could build the highest skyscraper. Several wealthy businessmen with innovative ideas - and deep pockets - employed architects, engineers and construction workers to bring their idea of the Empire State Building to fruition. This book provides a chronological account of the building's creation, from the initial concept, which necessitated the design of a new type of framework to support the building's massive weight, to its completion, in record time, just 18 months after construction began. Considering the technological know-how of the time, the available materials, the skilled labour force required and the minutiae of details involved, the Empire State Building's construction was truly a marvel. Canada's contribution to this huge undertaking was the nimble-footed Mohawk riveting crews whose balance and skill in working on steel girders suspended high above the ground were legendary. With interesting facts ranging from building inspection and safety issues to the delivery of food and materials to the upper floors, Empire State Building provides readers with plenty of history and even a bit of physics. A glossary and an index are included.

     Mann draws readers in with her writing style, taking them back to New York City, circa 1930. She not only explains construction techniques and other technical information clearly, but she also gives readers a sense of the thinking process behind the building's design and the problem-solving that went on as the project progressed. Yet it is her focus on the human stories that will most captivate readers.

     Abundant coloured and black and white archival photographs, maps and paintings provide additional information and enhance the text. There are numbered diagrams showing the sequential steps in various construction techniques as well as a double fold out page showing the month-by-month progress of the construction.

     A well-written account of a tremendous architectural feat.

Highly Recommended.

Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian at Bird's Hill School in East St. Paul, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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