Product DescriptionSkyscrapers is a lavish and appropriately soaring celebration of the world's most spectacular buildings. From the ancient Lighthouse at Alexandria to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, from the Empire State Building to the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, the 50 buildings represented in this magnificent book leap off the page in words and more than 200 rich, duotone images. This unique volume includes facts-at-a-glance for each building, visual comparisons of heights, and quotes from a variety of architects and experts--all accompanying stunning full-page photos of each structure. "An eye-popping shelf-scraper...an elevating experience." -Gene Shalit, "Today" "Breathtaking. Magnificent. Unique. Very special. Exquisite. One-of-a-kind. Well researched. Beautifully designed." -Robert J. Bruss, Tribune Media Services Amazon.com ReviewAt first glance, Judith Dupré'sSkyscrapers might appear to be just another coffee-table prop. Yes, the fact that it measures a good foot and a half might keep it off the average shelf, but its unusual size is not just a gimmick. This book does full-scale justice to the beautiful black-and-white photographs of some of the world's most famous skyscrapers. Organized chronologically, this is not a comprehensive guide but a selective survey: 50 of the most "significant" skyscrapers of the last century. From the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., to the Kuningan Persada Tower in Jakarta, Indonesia, Skyscrapers is a fact lover's dream. Vital statistics on each building include location, height, materials, primary architect, date of completion, and place in architectural history. The careful interaction of text and image brings the unique story of each building--and builder--to life. But in both Skyscrapers and her follow-up book, Bridges, Dupré moves past the structures themselves to examine the ideals and dreams of the society that created them. Why build up? Who initiated the race to be first? The economic, cultural, and political role of buildings in everyday life is easy to overlook. Skyscrapers is a book that sticks out way past the knees and says, "Hey, look again." --Sara NickersonReview"?[A] handsome compendium, which is as witty in its lanky format as it is fascinating within."?Manuel Mendoza,Dallas Morning News"Unique in scale and design, and packed with eye-popping photographs?""Talk about an ideal match of subject and form?.the stunning array of black-and-white photographs that accompany Dupre?s incisive, fact-filled text capture both the mass and soaring aspirations of the structures?"?Sam Roberts,The New York Times"Skyscrapers is ingeniously shaped?this tall and skinny volume?is the perfect canvas for full-page black-and-white photographs and illustrations of well-known classics?.But this isn?t just a celebratory picture book. Ms Dupré is a scholar interested in the aesthetic and environmental issues raised by supertall architecture. Skyscrapers is chock-full of historical context as it projects the implications and future prospects of metal and glass that reach for the sky."?Richard Helm,The Edmonton Journal"Judith Dupré skillfully couples a narrative with stunning photographs and factoids that distinguish this skyscraper-shaped book from so many others."?Bill Thompson,The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC)From the Inside FlapSkyscrapers Rising majestically above the hubbub of crowded cities or standing in stately solitude against a natural backdrop, skyscrapers captivate the eye, excite the imagination, and inspire awe and reverence. Wonders of artistic creativity and engineering ingenuity, of hard work and playful dreaming, they embody the best of our practical achievements and reflect our highest aspirations. This magnificent tour presents a fascinating look at fifty of the greatest skyscrapers in the world. Breathtaking photographs capture details often missed by the naked eye; architectural drawings and p