Since the mythical Tower of Babel, humans have continuously tried to erect monuments to match their oversized egos. With ancient ziggurats, the Taj Mahal or the Empire State Building, man has for centuries demonstrated his force by raising structures for purposes both religious and profane. As symbols of a people's values and a civilisation's grandeur, these monuments still fascinate and attract a public captivated by the creativity and ingenuity of these architects and stonemasons. Their historical message goes far beyond mere art history, for they also tell us of the lives and evolution of the peoples of the past, as does the Parthenon in Athens, many times destroyed, rebuilt, and restored once again.

Introduction

Ⅰ. Africa and the Middle East

Ⅱ. Asia and Oceania

Ⅲ. Europe (including Russia and Turkey)

IV The Americas

Biographies

Chronology

Glossary

List of Illustrations