Landmark American Bridges

Landmark American Bridges

From Library Journal The art of bridge building lies in the recognition of the beauty inherent in those structural forms that exploit the strength and special properties of a given material. Excellent examples of this very special form of architecture are in ample evidence in these two books. DeLony's survey of bridges constructed in the United States is accompanied by superb photographs and drawings from the collection of the Historic American Engineering Record. His broad chronology begins with early turnpike and canal bridges and concludes with the span over New York's Verrazano Narrows. While a more detailed history of American engineering technology would have been welcomed, this book provides a fine overview of the subject. If DeLony's book represents the past, the mongraph on Santiago Calatrava epitomizes the future. His work raises bridge design to fine sculpture in its efficiency of materials, economy of construction, and elegance of form. Well known in Europe, this innovative architect/engineer has had little exposure in the United States--until now. This handsomely designed book showcases over 30 of Calatrava's bridge designs. Unfortunately, the accompanying essays leave the reader wishing for more biographical information about this talented designer.- H. Ward Jandl, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. Photographs of ninety-five of the most impressive bridges in the United States are presented chronologically, from pre-Civil War spans to today's suspension bridges