Shapes, Lines, and Light

Minoru Yamasaki aimed to evoke "serenity, surprise, and delight" in his buildings. His granddaughter, Katie Yamasaki, narrates his life and career: his upbringing in Seattle's Japanese immigrant community, funding his college education by working in Alaska's salmon canneries, excelling in architectural school, and creating transformative structures. Despite facing severe anti-Asian racism in post-World War II America and being an outsider in the architectural world, this Japanese American man made a significant impact globally, from the American Midwest to New York City, Asia, and the Middle East. This compelling biography presents one artist's work through another's perspective, highlighting a man whose vision, dedication, and humanity brought him to the top of his profession.