Architecture is far more than the construction of buildings. Architects marry form and function to create structures that are particularly suited to a purpose while adding visual drama to landscapes and skylines. For millennia, architects have fashioned our homes, religious shrines, governmental spaces, and public facilities. The evolution of architecture in many ways reflects the history of how we live, think, worship, govern, and form societies. The progression of Western architectural thought and trends is chronicled in this comprehensive tome. Profiles of some of the most remarkable structures in the West are also included, exemplifying essential methods and practices.