An illuminating biography of one of the most famous--and most famously unfinished--buildings in the world, the Sagrada Familia of Barcelona. The scaffolding-cloaked spires of Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, dominate the Barcelona skyline and draw in millions of visitors every year. More than a century after the first stone was laid in 1882, the Sagrada Familia remains unfinished, a testament to Gaudí's quixotic ambition, his religious devotion, and the sensuous eccentricity of his design. It has defied the critics, the penny-pinching accountants, the conservative town-planners, and the devotees of sterile modernism. It has enchanted and frustrated the citizens of Barcelona. And it has passed through the landmark changes of twentieth-century Spain, surviving two World Wars, the ravages of the Spanish Civil War, and the "Hunger Years" of Franco's rule. Gijs van Hensbergen's The Sagrada Familia explores the evolution of this remarkable building, working through the decades right up to the present day before looking beyond to the final stretch of its construction. Rich in detail and vast in scope, this is a revelatory chronicle of an iconic structure, its place in history, and the wild genius that created it.

Antoni Gaudí, an architect with a very strong personality and with an incomparable imagination for forms, was also a first class constructor, capable of introducing innovations into traditional styles and finding other solutions that met the needs of his time and, indeed, those of the future. This book takes a tour of the Temple of the Sagrada Família--his most emblematic and popular work, to which he devoted more than 42 years of his life--, in order to discover the innumerable details that characterise it, just as Gaudí left it at the time of his death, as well as its continuation, undertaken using current techniques, something that demonstrates the feasibility of his fantastic project.

For those who dream of exploring the magnificent Pacific coast, contemplating the infinite beauty of the Andes and immersing themselves in the boundless Amazonian jungle--Peru awaits. This South American gem offers an enviable wealth of different landscapes and climates--and more than 5,000 archaeological sites hidden in the heart of its forests, mountains, and deserts. The country's natural bounty is unique and extreme, from the arid deserts on the Pacific coast to the highest navigable lake on the planet to the imposing tropical mountain ranges. Of course, no visit to Peru is complete without a stop at Machu Picchu, and this guide does not disappoint with an itinerary just for visiting this ancient wonder. But beyond those historic walls, expert National Geographic writers provide thousands of other suggestions to immerse yourself in the colonial streets of Lima, taste the regional food, and explore Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire at 11,155 (3,400 m) above sea level. In this richly illustrated guide, find excursions to rarely-visited sites including the red sand beaches of Paracas Reserve--the first UNESCO protected natural area--and insider tips on popular destinations such as Lake Titicaca and its floating villages. Plus, follow our guides through the Peruvian Amazon--the best kept secret of South America and the last virgin forests on Earth. Comprehensive, practical, and inspiring, this is the ultimate guide to well-known and hidden Peru.

The states of Northern Mexico—Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora, Sinaloa, and Baja California Norte and Sur—have architecture, urbanism, and landscape design that offer numerous lessons in how to build well, but this constructed environment is largely undervalued or unknown. To make this architecture better known to a wide professional, academic, and public audience, this book presents the first comprehensive overview in either English or Spanish of the architecture, urban landscapes, and cities of Northern Mexico from the country's emergence as a modern nation in 1821 to the present day. Profusely illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs, maps, and analytical drawings of urban cores of major cities, The Architecture and Cities of Northern Mexico systematically examines significant works of architecture in large cities and small towns in each state, from the earliest buildings in the urban core to the newest at the periphery. Edward R. Burian describes the most memorable works of architecture in each city in greater detail in terms of their spatial organization, materials, and sensory experience. He also includes a concise geographical and historical summary of the region that provides a useful background for the discussions of the works of architecture. Burian concludes the book with a brief commentary on lessons learned and possible futures for the architectural culture of the region, as well as the first comprehensive biographical listing of the architects practicing in Northern Mexico during the past two centuries.

An introduction by Daniel Giralt-Miracle, commissioner for the International year of Gaudi 2002, opens this book presenting the complete work of the brilliant architect Gaudi. It includes preliminary sketches and chapters about glasshouses, chimneys, 'trencadis' work, ceramic, doors, animals, etc... A 'must have' book.