In his highly acclaimed reference work David Watkin traces the history of western architecture from the earliest times to the 21st century. Adopting an approach that sees architectural history as a continuous narrative, the author emphasizes the ongoing vitality of the Classical language of architecture, underlining the continuity between, for example, the work of Ictinus in 5th-century BC Athens and that of McKim, Mead and White in 20th-century New York.

David Watkin is Professor of the History of Architecture at the University of Cambridge.

"In his reference book David Watkin traces the history of western architecture from the earliest times in Mesopotamia and Egypt to the dramatic impact of CAD (computer-aided design) on architectural practice at the beginning of the twenty-first century." "Adopting an approach that sees architectural history as a living continuity rather than a museum of neatly labeled styles, the author emphasizes the ongoing vitality of the Classical language of architecture, underlining the continuity between, say, the work of Ictinus in fifth-century B.C. Athens and that of McKim, Mead and White in twentieth-century New York. This illustrated survey provides a fresh perspective which will be invaluable to students and anyone interested in the history of architecture. The fourth edition of this work has been expanded to bring the story of western architecture right up to date."--BOOK JACKET.