This is a one-stop book for knowing everything important about building structures. Self-contained and with no prerequisites needed, it is suitable for both general readers and building professionals. O follow the history of structural understanding; O grasp the concepts of structural behaviour via step-by-step explanations; O apply these concepts to a simple building; O see how these concepts apply to real buildings, from Durham Cathedral to the Bank of China; O use these concepts to define the design process; O see how these concepts inform design choices; O understand how engineering and architecture have diverged, and what effect this had; O learn to do simple but relevant numerical calculations for actual structures; O understand when dynamics are important; O follow the development of progressive collapse prevention; O enter the world of modern structural theory; O see how computers can be used for structural analysis; O learn how to organise and design a successful project. With more than 500 pages and over 1100 user-friendly diagrams, this book is a must for anyone who would like to understand the fascinating world of structures.