In some stories we can find truth, in true stories, just imagine.

In the the lives of Sal and Gladys and James and Ken Valastro I found a true story of Eames designs that illustrates the ways in which the work of Charles and Ray Eames is meaningful for all of us. I also found a personal truth, a way to understand my own father. Like Sal Valastro, my father was the first born son of immigrants, who felt compelled to pursue a career that didn’t interest him, but who took seriously the responsibility of providing for his family. There's a hero’s story here too, and who doesn’t like those? Gladys Valastro is now one of my personal design heroes.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed producing it.

—Daniel Ostroff

Daniel Ostroff is the author of Modern Classic and is Consulting Curator of Eames Designs, A Getty/Pacific Standard Time exhibition (A+D Museum) and Curator of Collecting Eames: The JF Chen Collection, a Getty/Pacific Standard Time Participating Gallery exhibition.He is a film producer, and he produces and edits the website eamesdesigns.com.