Rebecca

If you’re an architect, stay away from this book - there are already multiple other ways you’re undervalued

Revisado: 07-29-23

First, the salvageable: one persistent message in this book was to not let fear dictate your work. I agree and I could use some encouragement to fight the urge to use fear as an excuse to avoid doing my best or take on challenging work myself.
The balance of the book is a disorganized, rambling narrative of the author’s life and attempts at life lessons. “Hard work pays off” and “practice makes perfect” are good mantras but they are not new and have been expressed more interestingly and eloquently elsewhere.
Full disclosure: I am an architect - not famous, not even that talented, honestly - decent, at best. Admittedly, this will influence my appreciation - or lack thereof - of this book. I do take pride in doing by best in providing the most practical approach to clients - still meeting their needs and expectations in a pleasing presentation. Sounds simple, but it takes talent, patience, time, effort and pain. It is worth it, in the end.
I’m also guilty of judging others in the design and construction arena - dealing with owners, engineers/ consultants, product salespeople, regulatory agencies, inspectors, contractors, and so on, is never easy - often frustrating, actually. To minimize and oversimplify the architecture profession as lacking talent and knowledge of construction process as well as, mainly, being driven by ego, is not only unfair, but plain uninformed and offensive. I know a thing or two about construction methods and have, personally, met some architects who know a lot more and could teach a masterclass in constructibility.
Once in a while, I need to remind myself that everyone in the design and construction process has, likely, had a challenging journey, deals their own obstacles, and is, hopefully, doing their best to contribute constructively to complete the project.
As much as you think the architect has no concept of constructibility, I have, at times, reproached contractors for not understanding plans and, more often, for trying to dodge responsibility for what they bid in an attempt to sneak in a change order. I often succumb to accuse that if you didn’t fully understand the plans, you should have asked for clarification prior to providing a proposal (which should mean you agree to provide the represented design at the proposed price with your possessed ability). Sending a change order proposal during construction - because lack of attention prior to bid - helps nobody.
In the end, all participants are required. The more collaborative we are, the better the experience. The more judgmental and blaming, the worse. I, myself have a lot to learn still.
Perhaps my expectations were misguided in thinking this book would be more of an inspirational description of craft and collaboration. The best, most attractive, most practical projects require a rare symbiosis. Judging and blaming, the most common path taken, does not make that possible.
Know this: architects are generally tasked with immense responsibility at less than adequate compensation. We are usually undervalued and unfairly criticized (even amongst ourselves). Take that as whining, if you like - after all, it’s coming from an architect. Last thing we need is a book that oversimplifies our profession.
That was my rant as an architect.
For the rest, the book is not substantive, the stories, surely meaningful to the author, are not that interesting, let alone inspirational. It was difficult to finish - I like to finish what I start, painful as it sometimes is.
Would not recommend in general.
By Miguel (not Rebecca)

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Overall a good book

Revisado: 10-18-11

Very entertaining and insightful. I especially liked the first part of the book where Al focused on exposing the lies of O'Reilly, Hanity, Limbaugh and Coulter. I have to admit, I always thought those ultra conservatives were full of it, but was too lazy to do the research to disprove them myself. The second part of the book describes pranks on conservatives by Franken as well as a somewhat remorseful account of his speech for Clear Channel to defend the war in Iraq. I was less impressed with the second part of the book. Overall I would strongly recommend it. Franken is knowledgeable, smart and funny - a lethal recipe against the exagerated and boring rethoric of the ultra conservatives.

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