Manmade Wonders of the World

Manmade Wonders of the World is a wide-ranging survey of renowned buildings and structures created by humans, spanning statues, monuments, temples, bridges and ancient cities. Organised as a continent-by-continent journey, it explores how different cultures have applied ingenuity and imagination to produce iconic works, from Stonehenge to the Sagrada Familia, and from the Great Wall of China to the Burj Khalifa.

The book takes a global view of how people in distant places have approached similar challenges, including keeping enemies out and venerating their gods. A foreword by writer, historian and broadcaster Dan Cruickshank frames the experience as a journey through both the present and the past, noting that many of these wonders have roots in antiquity.

Key details

• Continent-by-continent approach to famous human-made structures
• Includes a foreword by Dan Cruickshank
• Combines photography with 3D cutaway artworks, floorplans and other illustrations
• Highlights engineering innovations and hidden details within each building
• Features well-known sites including the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu, alongside lesser-known examples

Synopsis

Covering some of the world’s most visited monuments as well as less familiar landmarks, this book charts a journey across continents to examine celebrated structures and the ideas behind them. Through photography, 3D cutaways, floorplans and additional illustrations, it reveals details that help explain what makes each building remarkable, including the engineering innovations involved.

It also shows how different societies have responded to shared needs in distinct ways, offering a celebration of what humans have built over thousands of years.