This book is a one-stop guide to the world’s greatest architectural achievements. Comprehensive and concise, it contains reviews of the most influential structures ever built worldwide. Covering a diverse array of architectural traditions and construction styles–from the bold and brash to the spiritual and reserved, from Angkor Wat to the Parthenon, from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater to Frank Gehry’s Bilbao Guggenheim–the book celebrates the vision and achievement of world architecture. Entries are organized chronologically and include essential information on the featured building, as well as the social, political, cultural, and geographical considerations that influenced the design. Stunning illustrations and photographs highlight the technical feats and aesthetic brilliance of architects past and present. This comprehensive collection is an accessible reference for anyone interested in the history of architecture.

About The Author

Mark Irving, general editor, writes on art and architecture for The Financial Times, The Independent, and The Guardian as well as for magazines such as Time, Domus, Blueprint, Prospect, L’Espresso, and The New Statesman.