The Eastern States Agricultural and Industrial Exposition was founded more than a century ago to "promote the agricultural and industrial development of the eastern states." Held at the fairgrounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts, the inaugural event was the National Dairy Show in 1916, followed by what would become known as "The Big E," the combined "state fair" of the six New England states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Weathering floods, hurricanes, the Great Depression, and two world wars, it is currently one of the largest fairs in North America, with an attendance of over 1.3 million fairgoers in 2015. With photographs spanning the past century from exposition archives, area residents, and his own collection, author David Cecchi presents a fascinating visual history of what he refers to as "the fair."

The Chrysler Building was the result of a remarkable collaboration between William Van Alen, a dreamer whose designs challenged orthodox architecture, and Fred T. Ley, a practical builder who turned dreams into reality. Together they realized Walter P. Chrysler's vision of an iconic structure that would (for 11 months) be the tallest building in the world. Van Alen is recognized as one of the most innovative architects of the 20th century. Ley rose from rod man on a survey team to head one of the largest construction companies in the world. Both men participated in the architectural revolution brought about by steel frame, curtain wall construction. This book chronicles how they designed and constructed the Chrysler Building and how the experience affected the rest of their lives.