Peter Whitfield's Cities of the World is a fascinating & original look at the world's greatest cities, as he traces their historic form & special character through the city maps & panoramic views produced over the centuries. His concise accompanying text gives texture & detail to this handsome survey of 64 great cities, featuring 120 maps, town plans, & paintings drawn from the British Library. Illustrating the classical city-state, the medieval fortress, the baroque capital & the industrial metropolis, the images show how the architectural form & the social life of our cities have been shaped
- not only by their geographical setting, but also by religion, royal power, commerce, social ideals, & occasionally artistic vision.