I picked up a copy of this book in the Portland Airport, although I will confess that I didnt have high hopes for it. This guidebook turned out to be a great traveling companion. Its short entries are perfect for bursts of reading, and the the book really keeps the history (and humor!) flowing. I appreciated the books ongoing commentary and interesting (even bizarre) facts. King seems to have done a great job of providing a thorough overview of the citys buildings, from the oldest to ones from the 21st century. I would not only highly recommend this book for the casually interested, and the architecture expert, but also for the disinterested . . . it will hook them in!
I have lived in Portland for 7 years. I really enjoyed this book. It is fun to carry this book while walking through downtown Portland.
This book is the only resource available if youre interested in the architecture of Portland, Oregon, but it has its problems. Mr. King is not an architectural critic, but rather a fan of Portland architecture, especially, apparently, that of the early 1900s. Few Modern buildings are reviewed, or reviewed well. There is an odd political commentary infused throughout the book which does little to help the reader gain insight into the architecture of this City. For example, he inexplicably calls the urban planner Robert Moses a "fascist" without any explanation as to why. About the convention center he observes: "one of those dreadful holding pens full of glad-handing salespeople and marathon foot journeys to get to the restroom." Many of his reviews are as hollow and as tinny as a grammar student who has been told to fill the page with a certain number of words: "Measuring sixteen stories high on its east side, the Federal Courthouse is the most ambitious building constructed in Portland during the 1990s and certainly the most expensive public building in Portland." (Huh?) While this book doesnt achieve the critical level necessary to qualify as an architectural guide, its still worth having as an introduction to Portland architecture---but skip the homilies by Mr. King, theyre time wasted in your exploration of the buildings of this great City.
