Bridges: Heroic Designs that Changed the World

A thrilling journey over, under and across the world's most challenging bridges.

"Enthusiasm backed up by impressive research."
-- The Sunday Telegraph on Dan Cruickshank's Around the World in 80 Treasures

Bridges
is a passionate and learned journey into the awe-inspiring architectural icons that have connected and transformed landscapes throughout the world. The book describes bridges' architectural and aesthetic influences and examines how these spectacles of engineering have influenced the development of cultures, economies and society.

Architectural historian Dan Cruickshank has organized the book chronologically and thematically to provide a historical context for the development of engineering technology. There are more than 150 vivid photographs of bridges and close-up construction details. Line drawings reveal the core structure of the bridges, and period illustrations complete this in-depth reference.

The book covers:

Bridges from the ancient world
Medieval bridges from around the world
Bridges from the Renaissance to the 18th century
Timber bridges
Pioneering structural designs from North America and Europe
Concrete and modernism
How bridges have brought nations, cities and communities together
Decorative, garden and rural designs
Contemporary structures. From the Roman Empire's Pont du Gard and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the incredible Millau Viaduct and the mega-bridges of tomorrow,
Bridges
is a fascinating read on the most mighty of architectural traditions.