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Higher: A Historic Race to the Sky and the Making of a City Audiobook
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(3.17) - 178 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This riveting, true account of the 1929 race to build New York City's tallest skyscraper evokes the glory of an exciting time long past. In the spirit of the Roaring Twenties, two men competed to erect a structure that would reach to the skies. Behind it all were two brilliant architects-men with a common past, but very different visions for the future. Higher is every bit as fascinating as the best fiction.
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"I think Neal Bascomb makes an excellent case for the late '20s and early '30s in New York being one of the most interesting architecturally. The race to be "higher" that propelled the Chrysler, Manhattan Company, and ESB, is a captivating one and Bascomb tells the story well. "
— James (4 out of 5 stars)
Higher Listener Reviews
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" This is great historical book! Many characters and important people whose names you will recongnize and learn a lot about. I really liked it! "
— Cheryl, 1/10/2014 -
" One of those books I had to buy after reading it. During the Depression, these two NY architects managed to battle for the rights to the world's tallest building. I'm a tortoise-like reader, and this was so gripping it took me only a few days. "
— Mike, 12/29/2013 -
" An awesome book if you are in to building and learning about NYC. "
— Brian, 12/23/2013 -
" The amazing story of the building of the Chrysler building and its unusual connections to Kansas. "
— Joann, 11/29/2013 -
" About NYC skyscrapers in the late 1800s/early 1920s. If you are interested in the subject, it is worth the read (but is still a slow, dense read). "
— Dee, 11/26/2013 -
" A fantastic perspective on the building of skycrapers. Engrossintgly written and great reading for anyone interested in one way that Ne4w York became New York. "
— Scott, 7/20/2013 -
" Totally terrific. Only problem: No index! Lots of great notes and sources, though, for anyone who wants to dig even deeper into the subject. "
— Betsy, 6/17/2013 -
" Great book on early 20th century New York. "
— Pat, 6/4/2013 -
" Interesting portrait of a little-considered slice of history - the building of the first great skyscrapers in NYC. "
— Thomas, 11/2/2012 -
" Very interesting story of the coming of the skyscrapers to NYC and their methods of construction. Also details the chicanery that made the Chrysler Building the tallest for a brief period. "
— Dan, 8/27/2012 -
" Architecture + NYC are two of my favorite subjects, so I loved this book. "
— Carolyn, 4/25/2012 -
" Great book if you are interested in architecture, history or New York City. The race for the tallest building in the world is quite fascinating, especially considering the decade in which it occurred. Highly recommend! "
— Kenn, 12/25/2011 -
" I think Neal Bascomb makes an excellent case for the late '20s and early '30s in New York being one of the most interesting architecturally. The race to be "higher" that propelled the Chrysler, Manhattan Company, and ESB, is a captivating one and Bascomb tells the story well. "
— James, 11/28/2011 -
" Not bad so far... "
— Michael, 9/27/2011 -
" Hard to imagine the world before skyscrapers but this book certainly conveys a different time. Good book if you like both architecture and history. "
— Lauri, 3/20/2011 -
" Very interesting story of the coming of the skyscrapers to NYC and their methods of construction. Also details the chicanery that made the Chrysler Building the tallest for a brief period. "
— Dan, 2/2/2011 -
" Audio 3.5 <br/>This just gives the background and framework for Ayn Rand's books <br/>I enjoy any historical work that reads like a novel while teaching me about something "
— Irene, 10/11/2010 -
" About NYC skyscrapers in the late 1800s/early 1920s. If you are interested in the subject, it is worth the read (but is still a slow, dense read). "
— Dee, 11/14/2009 -
" Great book on early 20th century New York. "
— Pat, 11/12/2009 -
" The amazing story of the building of the Chrysler building and its unusual connections to Kansas. "
— Joann, 7/5/2009 -
" Hard to imagine the world before skyscrapers but this book certainly conveys a different time. Good book if you like both architecture and history. "
— Lauri, 5/25/2009 -
" Totally terrific. Only problem: No index! Lots of great notes and sources, though, for anyone who wants to dig even deeper into the subject. "
— Betsy, 7/14/2008 -
" One of those books I had to buy after reading it. During the Depression, these two NY architects managed to battle for the rights to the world's tallest building. I'm a tortoise-like reader, and this was so gripping it took me only a few days. "
— Mike, 6/29/2008 -
" Interesting portrait of a little-considered slice of history - the building of the first great skyscrapers in NYC. "
— Thomas, 3/27/2008 -
" This is great historical book! Many characters and important people whose names you will recongnize and learn a lot about. I really liked it! "
— Cheryl, 1/12/2008
About Neal Bascomb
Neal Bascomb has published a number of international and national bestsellers, including Higher, The Perfect Mile, Red Mutiny, and Hunting Eichmann. His books have been optioned for film, featured in several documentaries, and translated into ten languages. He has also written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Los Angeles Times.
About Richard M. Davidson
Richard M. Davidson is an actor and Earphones Award–winning narrator. Trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, he is well versed in theater and has had a long-standing career in acting, including a lead role in the show Diamonds, which aired on the CBS network, and a part in ESPN’s The Hustle.