Guiding readers through a staggering 5,000 years of world architecture, from ancient Sumeria to the spectacular glass-and-steel towers of today's cityscapes, this refreshingly accessible visual history makes for an irresistible read despite the complexity of the subject. Popular commentator Jonathan Glancey combines his sparkling prose with an unprecedented collection of photographs, artworks, and design plans to create a memorable story told with passion and insight. Readers will learn about the influential and innovative architects of all ages, along with their masterpieces, from the ziggurat at Ur to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. But the story of architecture spans beyond the buildings and people themselves, to the geographical, historical, and cultural elements that influenced and literally shaped them. Glancey sees the whole picture, and tells it in an exciting, engaging way that will delight experts and novices alike.