Whether they span rivers or harbors, cultures or countries, bridges have long been a symbol of man's ingenuity, perseverance, and thirst for exploration. Starting with ancient bridges built by the Mongol and Roman Empires through future bridges that exist only in blueprints, this newest addition to Prestel's highly successful "Changed the World" series travels the globe to examine fifty of the world's most important bridges and the history, legends, and people behind them. In stunning two-page spreads filled with photographs, plans, drawings, and accessible, informative text, this colorful architectural and historical journey explains why bridges continue to fascinate us, both as examples of engineering genius and artistic vision. It reveals little-known facts that deepen our appreciation of the science and technology of bridge-building, introduces historic events in which bridges have played a central role, and offers surprising reexaminations of some of the world's most familiar bridges. From the glory of the Golden Gate, San Francisco, to the grace of the Ponte Vecchio, Florence, the imposing presence of London's Tower Bridge to a stone structure in Afghanistan's Quala Panji that is still used today, Bridges that Changed the World is a celebration of our steadfast desire to connect with and discover the world around us.