Skyscrapers: A History of the World's Most Extraordinary Buildings

This updated edition of Dupre's best-selling book gives an enthusiastic, pop-architecture tour of "supertall" buildings. Starting 125 years in the past but lingering particularly on the contemporary moment and notable structures yet to be completed, Dupre frames every building in its historical context, her essays explaining the basic concepts behind the design while accumulating a rough sketch of modern architectural history. For amateur architectural enthusiasts, the wealth of easily accessible information provides a welcome entrance into appreciating the structures for more than their sheer size. The book itself, however, doesn't shy away from exploiting the magnitude of the subject matter%E2%80%94its oversize format (the pages are roughly a foot-and-a-half tall) is an appropriate platform for the lavish photographs, indulgent enough in their immensity to be almost dizzying at times. For this updated version, Dupre provides solid insights on the future of such monumental buildings, dipping into the environmental and urban development considerations that will increasingly influence the function and design of skyscrapers. All together, this sweeping guide is a document of learned and often contagious fervor, ideal for any person who just wants to spend some time geeking out over incredibly tall buildings. Color illus. (Nov.)