Synopsis
Traces the history and development of more than sixty of the world's greatest structures, from the Great Pyramid to the Golden Gate Bridge, with detailed diagrams and cutaways that show the exact building methods and materials used in construction.
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Reviews
Spanning several centuries and continents, a sweeping compendium of famous structures and the methods used in their construction. Though visually striking, the book is marred by poor labeling and some very confusing illustrations by a miscellany of artists: the drawings for the step pyramid don't show the stages described in the text; the crane on the Pharos lighthouse is braced so that it's liable to fall on the windlass; a pile driver in early Amsterdam has feet at right angles to its top, with a decidedly Escher-like result; adding bracing to the groin in Durham Cathedral is described as a ``structural breakthrough,'' but it's necessary to puzzle through definitions for ``groin'' and ``vault'' in the glossary and then flip back to the illustration to understand what might be meant; the drawing showing how suspension cables were spun for the Golden Gate Bridge is largely inscrutable; etc., etc. As a history of building styles, this has some use, as does the extensive glossary of building terms; but when it comes to explaining How Things Were Built, it confuses as often as it explains. Oddly inconsistent index. Pity, really. (Nonfiction. 10+) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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The Random House Book of How Things Were Built
Published by
Random House Books for Young Readers, 1992
ISBN 10: 0679920447
ISBN 13: 9780679920441
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Fables Books, Goshen, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: good. A former library book with all the expected stamps, stickers and markings. Significant shelf, storage or usage wear present. The binding is tight and all pages are present. Does not appear to have come with a dustjacket originally. The pages appear unmarked. Pictures available upon request. Individually inspected by Shadow. Thanks for supporting an independent bookseller! Seller Inventory # FBV.0679920447.G
Stock Image
The Random House Book of How Things Were Built
Published by
Random House Books for Young Readers, 1992
ISBN 10: 0679920447
ISBN 13: 9780679920441
Used
Hardcover
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0679920447I3N00
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The Random House Book of How Things Were Built
Published by
Random House Children's Books, 1992
ISBN 10: 0679920447
ISBN 13: 9780679920441
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 52735506-6
Stock Image
The Random House Book of How Things Were Built
Published by
Random House Children's Books, 1992
ISBN 10: 0679920447
ISBN 13: 9780679920441
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 52733632-6