Pier Luigi Nervi was one of the greatest structural engineers of the twentieth century. Like other pioneers of reinforced concrete such as Robert Maillart and Felix Candela, his work was driven not by theory but by the practical needs of his construction business. His spectacular structures may show a flair for aesthetics, but were primarily driven by the need for economy.

His masterpieces include the Florence stadium, aircraft hangars at Orvieto, the Turin exhibition hall and the Gatti Wool factory in Rome. They include arches of amazing span and slenderness, and radical structures shaped precisely to follow the flow of force.

This book includes copious photographs, both of completed structures and during construction, as well as drawings of structures never built and several engineering diagrams. It's as inspiring today as when published in the 1950s, a treasure trove of ideas and creativity. ( )