Marvels of Engineering

by National Geographic Society

Engineering wonders of the world are featured in six thematic chapters that focus on overcoming distance (roads, canals, bridges, railroads, pipelines), height and depth (towers, tunnels, skyscrapers), public spaces (sports arenas, exposition halls), the need for protection (on land and from water), responding to the spirit (pyramids, temples, domes, Gothic cathedrals), and harnessing nature's power (wind, solar, hydroelectric). Abundantly and lavishly illustrated. Lacks a bibliography. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Genres: Architecture, Reference, Engineering, Nonfiction, Science, History, Design

288 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1992

About the author

The National Geographic Society (NGS), headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States, is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world.
Founded in 1888, its interests include geography, archaeology, and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation, and the study of world culture and history. The National Geographic Society's logo is a yellow portrait frame—rectangular in shape—which appears on the margins surrounding the front covers of its magazines and as its television channel logo. Through National Geographic Partners (a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company), the Society operates the magazine, TV channels, a website, worldwide events, and other media operations.

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspiring book documenting some of the worlds most ambitious building projects.
It really makes you appreciate all of the effort that it takes to build great works... from bridges to pyramids.

This is the perfect book for anyone thinking of becoming an engineer or architect

[Julie D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dated, though that's to be expected from a book that was published almost 30 years ago, but it was still very interesting.

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compendium of engineering achievements from all ages past to present. Organized into chapters based upon the type of engineering challenge that humans have overcome it includes sections titles "overcoming Distance", "Public spaces", "Harnessing Nature's Power" and others. The graphics are beautiful as you would expect from a National Geographic Society production and include explanatory charts as well as photographs of some of the most amazing structures throughout the world. The book is a delight to read, to browse through and to meditate on the great achievements of the minds of men throughout the ages.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This makes for a good coffee table book but is unfortunately very out of date by the time of my reading.