Includes bibliographical references and index.

An orderly enigma -- China, MIT, and Harvard (1917-48): the shaping of an architect -- The Zeckendorf Days (1948-60): learning to think big -- The National Center for Atmospheric Research (1961-67): the journey from planning to form -- The John F. Kennedy Library (1964-79): gateway to fame -- The Dallas Municipal Administration Center (1966-77): symbol for a city -- The John Hancock Tower (1966-76): a near fatal beauty -- The East Building of the National Gallery (1968-78): the power of art, taste, and money -- The Fragrant Hill Hotel (1979-82): you can't quite go home again -- The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (1979-86): The wages of politics and technology -- Le Grand Louvre (1983-89): The battle of the pyramid -- 1989: "the year of Pei.".