The history of architecture

Civilizations can be judged, at least to some extent, by their man-made structures.

For certain early cultures that left limited or no written records, monumental remains are the principal sources of information.

Due to this, architectural history sometimes becomes the most important part of general history. In a continuously running stream of events, The History of Architecture pieces together humankind's building prowess from 10,000 BCE, when humans began creating basic shelters from twigs and leaves, through to the wondrous feats of today, visible in futuristic skyscrapers and towers of concrete, steel and glass.

It covers religious and secular architecture, including places of worship, royal buildings, forts, commercial complexes, bridges, industrial buildings, transportation hubs and residences.

The reader discovers styles and sub-styles, ranging across civilizations and geographies, and is acquainted, through biographies, with great masters like Brunelleschi and Frank Lloyd Wright, whose works are considered landmarks of architectural achievement. A famous architect once said, "Ideally all buildings should be visited".

Practically impossible as that is, many of the more stupendous edifices can be `visited' through the pages of this book.