1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die is a visual testament to the world's greatest achievements in architecture. Each entry includes essential information about the featured structure: who designed it, who commissioned it, key dates in construction, engineering, or design, and more. The accompanying descriptions detail the cultural, historical, geographic, and social considerations that influenced and shaped the design while stunning photographs illustrate the technical ingenuity and aesthetic brilliance of architects past and present.<BR>The book is organized chronologically beginning with the marvels of the ancient world, such as the Ziggurat at Ur, the Parthenon, and the Colosseum, and continuing with the masterpieces of each successive era to the present day. On display is a treasure trove of the world's finest architecture from Byzantine and Gothic wonders, such as Istanbul's Hagia Sophia and Notre Dame in Paris, through the incredible wealth of the Renaissance and Baroque, such as St. Peter's in Rome and Russia's Winter Palace. The book progresses to the twentieth century with the Chrysler Building at the pinnacle of Art Deco and the rise of Modernism. It culminates with the far-reaching achievements of the past decade, such as Norman Foster's Reichstag redesign in Berlin and Herzog & de Meuron's Beijing Stadium.