The bridge stimulates the imagination more than any other building form. Few structures as demanding as the bridge can combine technical skill with esthetic beauty in such an imaginative way. This volume describes the wonders of bridge building, the record breakers, the great bridges of the past, and the failures and catastrophic disasters. It explains how they were built, how they work, and examines the common forms of bridges that can be seen in the world today. The story is told of those celebrated engineers who pioneered new ideas, and their fantastic building achievements are illustrated with photos, drawings, and diagrams. The most magnificent are showcased in special features taken across gatefolds, all in fabulous color photos.