Built to Last

This new book—inspired by three classic, award-winning books—reveals the how and why behind some of the most fascinating and enduring structures humankind has ever created. Macaulay has revised texts based on new research, created gorgeous new drawings, in some cases wholly re-imagined scenes from the books—bringing Castle and Cathedral to life in full-color for the very first time. The resulting illustrations add to the reader’s understanding of these buildings, capturing intriguing new perspectives and a depth of detail in structure and atmosphere.
This impeccably researched volume is not only a necessary addition to the bookshelf of any David Macaulay or architecture fan, but will delight readers of all ages who are experiencing his work for the first time.

Children's Literature

Here, Macaulay has brought together information from three previously published books, Castle, Cathedral, and Mosque. He has done additional research and created new drawings, and he has recreated drawings for Castle and Cathedral with added color. Placing them in their time and location, he details how and why they were constructed. Although imaginary, the castle, supposedly built in Wales from 1277 to 1305, is based on several from that time. We view the site, construction plans, workers, and process of building. We watch the town around grow as the castle is built and defended. His imaginary cathedral is based on other Gothic cathedrals built in France in the 13th century. Again we see the detailed plans, construction, workers and tools, materials, and finishing touches of bells and stained glass. Then we follow the building of the mosque, based on others built in Turkey in the 16th century. All the steps are traced, including the addition of school, kitchen, and eventual commercial area. Although the architectural drawings are complex, Macaulay uses fountain pen, regular and colored pencils to create them. Color is created with felt-tip markers, colored pencils, and some watercolors, to convey with remarkable clarity how the multitude of construction pieces are shaped and integrated. Vignettes depict details; full and double-page scenes fit the parts together. With the most informative points of view and a bird's-eye perspective we watch the work of decades. A glossary is included. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

David Macaulay is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books have sold millions of copies in the United States alone, and his work has been translated into a dozen languages. Macaulay has garnered numerous awards including the Caldecott Medal and Honor Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the Christopher Award, an American Institute of Architects Medal, and the Washington Post-Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award. In 2006, he was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, given "to encourage people of outstanding talent to pursue their own creative, intellectual, and professional inclinations." Superb design, magnificent illustrations, and clearly presented information distinguish all of his books. David Macaulay lives with his family in Vermont.