Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Charles and Ray Eames, perhaps the most famous design partnership of twentieth-century America, did pioneering work in furniture, film, architecture, and exhibition design. Out of respect for Charles's wishes, no book on them was published during their lifetime. Now Pat Kirkham interprets their work in depth, probing the lives behind the designs and the nature of the collaboration. In researching this major work, Kirkham had full access to the Eames archive and cooperation from the Eameses' clients and associates. The result is a richly detailed study of these remarkable designers and of their work from 1941 to 1978, including a substantial reevaluation of Ray's role. There is much here that will be new to readers who may be broadly familiar with the Eameses' work, particularly in the recounting of their early careers and in the examination of their multimedia presentations, exhibitions, and films.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

According to the author, "One of the most creative and productive design partnerships in the twentieth century ... visually interesting and technologically adventurous," was that of Charles and Ray Eames, whose furniture, architecture, exhibition designs, films, and multimedia presentations are examined here in great depth. Their lifelong collaboration, their personalities, and even their idiosyncrasies are carefully scrutinized. Ray's contributions are seen from an unapologetically feminist viewpoint and given great importance. The couple's famous furniture of plywood, plastic, and fiberglass is traced through design, production, and marketing. All the Eameses' multifaceted productions, along with their sources of inspiration, are carefully placed in historical and cultural context. The book's production is marred, unfortunately, by fuzzy black-and-white pictures with little contrast and by color plates with too much yellow-orange. Yet, the scholarship of Kirkham (design history, De Montfort Univ., England) is thorough and penetrating with firm judgments. Her book is a model of scholarship about the history of design, significant for its placement and definition of the work of the Eameses in American culture. Chronology, select bibliography, and notes for further sources. W. L. Whitwell; Hollins College