This fascinating study of the development of Western architecture
focuses on a unique selection of 52 buildings - mostly from the last
300 years - examining why they have been designed in a particular way,
the methods and materials used to construct them and their impact on
the development of construction technology.



The buildings have been chosen for their interesting history or design,
or both, and are each beautifully illustrated as an architectural line
drawing. They range from St Pancras Hotel in London to the Pennsylvania
Railroad Station in New York City, to the Stoclet Palace in Brussels
and the Acropolis in Athens. Drawing on a range of subject matters,
from art through to politics, economics and religion, the author
reveals a story about each of the buildings and the motivations of the
societies, rulers or individuals that created them.