Product Description
Feierabend Unique Books is pleased to announce the publication of Miami Beach: Blueprint of an Eden, Lives Seen Through the Prism of Family and Place, by Michele Oka Doner and Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Now for Pre-order, and avaialble: November 2005.

Miami Beach, Blueprint of an Eden is the story of an extraordinary time and place. It is the concurrent stories of two families placed by destiny in a position to tell them well: the Wolfsons and the Okas.

The authors’ fathers were each mayors of Miami Beach, one in the 40’s and one in the 50’s and early 60’s. Their mothers were prominent first ladies.Their exhaustive family archives provide a rich cultural, architectural, political, social, botanical, stylistic, gastronomic, geological and poetic history of an extraordinary place at an extraordinary time.See CD for chapters, text and photographs

The soul of Miami Beach: Blueprint of an Eden is a dialogue between the authors via letters and narrative text. The heart of the book is its sumptuous photographs, architectural blueprints, memorabilia, sheet music (that can be played on a piano), native poetry, maps, drawings, and recipes - everything that gave rise to the contemporary phenomena that is Miami Beach.

The authors are Michele Oka Doner and Mitchell Wolfson Jr. Oka Doner is an internationally renowned artist, best known for her mile long bronze-in-terrazzo concourse floor for Miami International Airport, and Mitchell "Micky" Wolfson is an internationally recognized collector and founder of the pioneering museum, The Wolfsonian-FIU in Miami Beach. (See biographies)

"...With respect and a great sense of celebration, we share our insights as to what it was like to grow up in an atmosphere that time would render mythical." – from authors’ preface ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Miami Beach:Blueprint of an Eden.
The book is a quick read and majority of it black and white,there are blueprints and some very good rare photos,there is a caption referring to the times as the cold war etc. didn't impress me. the book nonetheless is very interesting although very heavy on the botanical side,artsy elitist types, and on fashion,galas,what she is wearing etc.,my favorite is the WTVJ CHANNEL 4(then ch.4/Wometco,etc) photos and the fountainbleu spread.Nice big hardcover minus the dustjacket. Can't complain I got a new copy for $3 from the store.I recommend reading Miami Beach Memories.

Glamour and nostalgia
So many personal memories came to life because of this lovely book. There are many other readers like me who grew up in Miami Beach and perhaps also danced around the Maypole in North Beach Elementary. I especially liked the glamorous photos - the movie star quality of Gertrude Oka - and the dressed-up glitz of Miami Beach's image, where fur stoles were a must. There were pictures of many wonderful buildings, and many of these were given depth by architectural drawings and historical comments.

Fascinating Miami Beach
This fascinating look at the creation of Miami Beach and its early history is told by its authors through the looking glass of their prominent families. Both the Oka and Wolfson families have been highly visible players in Miami Beach's political and social life for decades.

This book is filled with interesting black and white photos -- many from family archives -- not found elsewhere. The book tells the story of Miami Beach from a uniquely personal perspective.From its early development from a huge mangrove swamp through the glamorous sixties when world famous entertainers lived, performed and partied in Miami Beach, this book is evokes Miami Beach's romantic past.[...]

Miami Beach Memories
A stunningly beautiful photographic history of Miami Beach. The photographs are from the archives of 2 prominent Miami Beach families. They took the community from a small tropical village into a world class posh resort. Its fascinating to read and see the evolution of one of my favorite places. A great coffee table book.

Beautiful Memories, beautiful book
I grew up in Miami Beach a bit later than the authors. When the book arrived I couldn't put it down. I loved the photos and historic reference; they showed just how special Miami Beach was. My only wish is that the authors would have expanded their history a bit.

Perhaps add info on Central Beach Elementary, Ida M Fisher Junior and Miami Beach High as well as some of the other early landmarks (the Post Office on Washington Avenue). I realize the authors wrote through their own families' experience, but there is so much more... and so many others who contributed so much to the city.

Hopefully one day they'll do another book to immortalize a truly "Magic City." ... Read more

Product Description
Reviewing the "smart layout and excellent quality of images" found in this guide, Professional Photographer & Digital Pro Magazine rates it "A worthwhile addition to any photographer's shelf."

Amateur and semi-pro camera enthusiasts can improve their travel photography immeasurably by following the step-by-step instructions this superb guide offers. Wide-ranging information begins with choosing equipment, and the author even tells readers how to go about getting their best vacation photographs published. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A better world
A fabulous book of photographs that show Morocco through the lens of Paul Bowles. Like a photo essay of Bowles's life in the desert, it shows his literary, erotic, and visual obsessions. Images of Jane are particularly cryptic. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Re: From the Back Cover:
Based on photographs from the Kodak Museum - the largest collection of pictures and equipment associated with the history of popular photography. Published to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the first public announcement of photography.
... Read more