Book excerpt: '1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die' is a visual testament to the world's greatest achievements in architecture. Comprehensive yet concise, each article includes essential information about the featured structure: who designed it, who commissioned it, key dates in its construction and more. The accompanying descriptions detail the historical and geographical considerations that influenced the design while stunning photographs illustrate the technical ingenuity and aesthetic brilliance of architects past and present...The book is organised chronologically beginning with the marvels of the ancient world 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, through the incredible wealth of the Renaissance and Baroque, and on to the marvels of the twentieth century. The book culminates with the far-reaching achievements of the past decade, such as Jeanne Gang's undulating Aqua Tower in Chicago and Renzo Piano's towering Shard London Bridge...Featured here are the world's finest and most important public and residential buildings from palaces, museums and ground-breaking new reidences to unique or unusual structures, such as the ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings and rustic southern Italian trulli.