Cities in the Sky

"""Tall buildings, perhaps more than any other kind of human achievement, symbolize the identity of our urban places. Cities in the Sky is a captivating exploration of skyscrapers, filled with insider stories of how such buildings came to be and what their future might hold. It answered so many questions I didn't even realize I had about the architecture, politics, and personalities that have influenced tall buildings over the years. Barr masterfully weaves together the history, myths, economics, and engineering behind the most iconic structures across the world's skylines. More than just a history lesson, Cities in the Sky is about the ambition, ingenuity, and vision that encourage us to build higher and bolder."" --Grady Hillhouse, creator of Practical Engineering and author of Engineering in Plain Sight ""Jason M. Barr deftly walks the reader through the development of the skyscraper—from 1880s Chicago to present day Asia—and the issues that either prevented or made possible their heavens-aspiring construction. Economics, geography, and politics, for example. Barr's easy-going, conversational writing style makes his discussion of topics like engineering, community impact, and his vision of future cities as engaging to the layman as it is to the urban planner, economist, engineer and architect. Cities in the Sky is a fascinating and informative read."" —Tom Miller, author of Seeking New York: The Stories Behind the Historic Architecture of Manhattan—?One Building at a Time"