Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

British architect and planner Parkyn (The Seventy Wonders of the Modern World) highlights 57 major structures from the past 100 years, excluding high-rise buildings and suspension bridges and instead focusing on other significant bridges, plus tunnels, rail stations, airports, hangers, hydroelectric dams, seaports, surge barriers, observatories, wind tunnels, and sports stadiums. Most subjects are European, but a U.S. example is the enormous Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center. The text articulates key design and construction decisions that helped create these impressive works. Each structure receives a two- to four-page spread illustrated with several quality graphics or photos. With more than 350 images, the oversized format suits the content. There is some overlap with Sutherland Lyall's Remarkable Structures, but Parkyn surveys many more projects in less detail. His mission, after all, is to "celebrate notable structures" and their designers rather than explain structural innovation. Recommended for large public libraries.-David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., B.C. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

The Dutch Sea Barrier; China's Three Gorges Dam; Haj Terminal in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Sydney's Telstra Stadium; France's Millau Motorway viaduct; the Hubble space telescope-these are a few of the 50-odd megastructures presented in this globally pitched (but Euro-focused) grand overview. At 10" 12", the book's scale attempts to match its subject, and many of the crisp, full-bleeds-such as of the tunnel boring machine used for the Channel Tunnel, which looks like a giant concrete snowflake with teeth-do just that. Very few of the projects, shown here in 350 color illustrations, are in the U.S., a refreshing change from endless celebrations of familiar public works. Many recent innovative large-scale architectural projects have been built elsewhere, a fact that architect Parkyn (The Seventy Architectural Wonders of Our World) does not overplay in a brisk, business-like text. There's as much technical information as most casual enthusiasts will want ("The side panels are clamped to the stringers to form the 3 m. [10 ft.] long sections of the bridge" etc.), but the pictures, framed by bold fonts if unexceptional layout, mostly speak for themselves-in huge, thrumming chords. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

CHOICE Review

Architect Parkyn offers an engaging book for general readers interested in the engineering marvels of the 20th century. The superstructures examined range from the 1930s TVA dams to the Three Gorges dam, the temporary bridges of WW II to the Pont de Normandie, and the Hubble Telescope to the ONERA Wind Tunnel. Also included are train stations, ports, stadiums, tunnels, airplane terminals, and flood barriers. Suspension bridges and skyscrapers are intentionally not included. The book begins with a brief introduction, and then proceeds to a separate entry on each structure. Each entry contains facts and figures about the structure, an explanation of how it works (where pertinent), historical context, and any environmental or social issues. Prominent engineers also receive sidebar biographies. Each entry is supported by large color photographs. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. General readers. M. Frank University of Massachusetts Lowell