William Hall Bücher

An unrivalled exploration of the world's most surprising and inspiring brick architecture - in a stylish, compact new format

Born Maurice Micklewhite, son of a Billingsgate fish porter and a charlady,ichael Caine's life has been an extraordinary rollercoaster - from washingishes and fighting on National Service, to winning two Oscars and beingnighted by the Queen. With more than 80 films to his name, he has starred inome of the classics of modern cinema.: as an action anti-hero in "Get Carter" a Cockney Lothario in "Alfie" and a disillusioned alcoholic academic in "ducating Rita". He is an enduring model of British cool. This authorisediography charts the amazing highs and lows in his turbulent ride to fame,ortune and respect.

With more films to his name than years—includingAlfie, Get Carter, A Bridge Too Far, Thenbsp;Cider House Rules, The Quiet American, andThe Weatherman—a prestigious knighthood, and countless awards, Michael Caine is one of the most esteemed actors of his day. He has maintained the balance of critical respect and unswerving popularity andnbsp;has established himself as a performer of the highest rank. In this in-depth biography, William Hall sketchesnbsp;the picture of a man who has known his share of hard times, including the poverty of his youth and the pain of discovering his long-lost brother in a psychiatric hospital. He also reveals a man who has achieved his success through a mixture of innate talent, cool charm, barbed wit, and shrewd intelligence.

Brick is a fresh, insightful and surprising look at one of the world’s most familiar and popular building materials. From the strange remains of the Ziggurat of Ur dating from 2100 BC, to formidable mills of the industrial revolution, the humble brick has been an architectural staple for centuries. The world’s best architects have explored the qualities of brickwork. Alvar Aalto, Antoni Gaudi, Jørn Utzon, Frank Gehry, and Mies van der Rohe all built with the material, and bricks were integral to Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision for an American vernacular in his Prairie Houses. Lesser‐known newcomers have created some equally striking and memorable structures, from the stunning Winery Gantenbein – built by robotic arm – to the audacious Kantana Institute, an unprecedented vision in a Thai rainforest. Brick is a beautiful and informative visual exploration of a material that is often overlooked, and sometimes considered limiting, but is actually full of spectacular potential.