Broken Glass

Mies van der Rohe, Edith Farnsworth, and the Fight Over a Modernist Masterpiece

By: Alex Beam

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr

The true story of the intimate relationship that gave birth to the Farnsworth House, a masterpiece of twentieth-century architecture—and disintegrated into a bitter feud over love, money, gender, and the very nature of art.

“An intimate portrait . . . alive with architectural intrigue.”—Architect Magazine

In 1945, Edith Farnsworth asked the German architect Mies van der Rohe, already renowned for his avant-garde buildings, to design a weekend home for her outside of Chicago. Edith was a woman ahead of her time—unmarried, she was a distinguished medical researcher, as well as an accomplished violinist, translator, and poet. The two quickly began spending weekends together, talking philosophy, Catholic mysticism, and, of course, architecture over wine-soaked picnic lunches. Their personal and professional collaboration would produce the Farnsworth House, one of the most important works of architecture of all time, a blindingly original structure made up almost entirely of glass and steel.

But the minimalist marvel, built in 1951, was plagued by cost overruns and a sudden chilling of the two friends’ mutual affection. Though the building became world famous, Edith found it impossible to live in, because of its constant leaks, flooding, and complete lack of privacy. Alienated and aggrieved, she lent her name to a public campaign against Mies, cheered on by Frank Lloyd Wright. Mies, in turn, sued her for unpaid monies. The ensuing lengthy trial heard evidence of purported incompetence by an acclaimed architect, and allegations of psychological cruelty and emotional trauma. A commercial dispute litigated in a rural Illinois courthouse became a trial of modernist art and architecture itself.

Interweaving personal drama and cultural history, Alex Beam presents a stylish, enthralling narrative tapestry, illuminating the fascinating history behind one of the twentieth century’s most beautiful and significant architectural projects.

©2020 Alex Beam (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Beam’s thorough and thoughtful account is both a knowing biography of an object—the house—and of its two principals, the well-documented Mies and the widely overlooked Farnsworth.”—The New York Times

“Mies van der Rohe was one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century, and Mr. Beam provides an exceptionally perceptive character study of this complex and often impenetrable figure.”—The Wall Street Journal

“This engrossing page turner is a portrait of two complex people and a fascinating history of a modern architectural masterpiece.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Fun and Information Listen

Really liked this one. For anyone that enjoys biographs and architecture this is a must listen. The historical facts and info on other architects that influenced and imitated van der Rohe was very nicely woven into the story. The conflict between Farnsworth and van der Rohe was very interesting as well. How their relationship began so strong but ultimately desolved as it did was what made this story all the more engrossing.

Broken Functionality

I didn't know much about Mies Van Der Rohe until I read this. I was shocked at how he designs aesthetically and not functionally! As an interior designer I was appalled by the choices he made, his arguments with Ms. Farnsworth, the back and forth was so exhausting!! If you like architecture especially modern architecture, add this to your library. I gave it 4 stars because of the whole story. But Mies is not my cup of tea, sorry!

Glad I finally got around to this one!

A revealing look at two strong personalities whose lives became intertwined. Audio version is very well read.

Well read. Comprehensive history of house and protagonists

This is the most well-read book that I have heard yet. Kimberly Farr has a clear, pleasing and warm delivery.

This book offers a comprehensive history of the house, its patron and architect. Places the building and builders in context.

Great Read

A wonderful story behind one of the world's most celebrated and reviewed homes. Very well narrated as well.

Tedious and disappointing

I was very interested in the story about the "fight over a modernist masterpiece.'' So it was very disappointing that it turned out to be a tedious slog that I struggled to finish. It seemed more like a collection of quotes from other people and endless name-dropping instead of an actual story. Even more disappointing, the author repeated himself over and over throughout the book. The narrator did what she could, but all in all, this book was a letdown and a waste of a good credit.