MYSTERIES OF THE MALL: And Other Essays Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2015 What makes the history of the chair so fascinating is that it can be both a practical tool and a status symbol, part of the domestic decor and an intimate part of our everyday lives.

The Aeron task chair uses the latest materials and mechanisms, my wing chair was designed more than two hundred years ago, and stools, in one form or another, are among the earliest of sitting devices. I own a wing chair, an Aeron chair, and an Aalto stool. In his telling, the chair becomes a seemingly immortal character traveling, Forest Gump-like, through the vicissitudes of our shared history.” has a special knack for making everyday objects and ideas seem captivating, in part because he places them in a larger historical narrative. “Rybczynski adds another delightful volume to an already impressive shelf of books notable for formidable learning worn lightly and an infectious fascination with the way we craft the built environment.” “This is a book to savor in a favorite chair.” “This latest contribution from Rybczynski serves as further evidence that he is one of the best writers on design working today.” New York Times Fashion, Manners & Customs bestseller. NOW I SIT ME DOWN From Klismos to Plastic Chair: A Natural History And in the process of remaking an old city, they invent a new one.

Beginning in the 1980s, a motley crew of builders-a lover of Byzantine architecture, an Air Force pilot, a fledgling architect, and a bluegrass mandolin player-undertake a variety of unusual projects: a domed Orthodox church, a fanciful medieval castle, a restored freedman’s cottage, a miniature Palladian villa, and a new street based on Porgy and Bess. This story is set in the colonial city of Charleston and brings together two of my interests: architecture and urbanism. What is surprising, and pleasantly so, is the circuitous route he takes to get us there.” Nor is it a shocker that this prolific author was inspired to write a book about Charleston in an attempt to get at the heart of what makes it special. ”It’s no surprise that architect and urbanist Witold Rybczynski fell under the spell of Charleston, S.C., one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. “An enjoyable series of mini-lessons in history, urbanism, and aesthetics that go down as easily as cool summer cocktails on a Charleston piazza.” Charleston Fancy teaches us this is still possible.” “It is in the search for beauty, the careful execution of each detail, that the ensemble of her buildings creates a city that is admired and loved. Winner of the 2020 Athenaeum of Philadelphia Literary Award. CHARLESTON FANCY Little Houses and Big Dreams in the Holy City

Witold rybczynski