Structures: The way things are built

In this dazzling book, readers who are intrigued by the way things work will find breathtaking accounts of the way they are built. From the Great Wall of China to the forbidden City, from the Great Wall of China to the Forbidden City, from the Statue of Liberty to Mount Rushmore, Structures reveals the personal stories and the technical genius behind 37 feats of architectural and civil engineering. 500 illustrations and photographs.

Presenting the fascinating stories behind more than 40 of the world's most extraordinary building feats, this book covers architectural achievements like London's Crystal Palace, monolithic memorials like Mount Rushmore, underground masterpieces like Rome's catacombs, and civil engineering marvels like the Trans Siberian Railway. Also included are palaces, churches, sculptures, bridges, dams, canals, railways, and tunnels, all selected because of their "boldness, scale or sheer eccentricity." For each structure, an illuminating essay recounts the origins, design and construction. Accompanying photographs, working diagrams, cutaway drawings, and etchings help the reader understand the way the structure was built. The book finishes with a gazetteer that contains brief descriptions of other famous structures such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Taj Mahal. A well-written narrative recommended for academic and large public libraries.
- Sarojini Bala chandran, Auburn Univ. Lib., Ala.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.