Building the Empire State, a contemporary scrapbook
detailing the constuction of what was for forty years until 1971
the world’s tallest building, is given lavish facsimile treatment
by Carol Willis, founder of the Skyscraper Museum in New York.
Her engaging introductory essay reveals how ther building’s shape,
construction and even its record-breaking height were largely
determined by the zoning laws and economic exigencies of the day.
Published by W. W. Norton, £19.95/$29.95, ISBN 0393730301.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
Long covid reveals the harm of one-size-fits-all medical treatment
Leader

Mind
What to read this week: The 21st Century Brain by Hannah Critchlow
Culture

Space
Ann Leckie continues to shine with new sci-fi novel Radiant Star
Culture

Comment
Is an AI version of Mark Zuckerberg – or any boss – a good plan?
Regulars
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Weird 'transdimensional' state of matter is neither 2D nor 3D
2
100-year-old assumption about the universe may soon be overturned
3
Is consciousness more fundamental to reality than quantum physics?
4
The bombshell results that demand a new theory of the universe
5
Cancer is increasing in young people and we still don't know why
6
We may finally have a cure for many different autoimmune conditions
7
Why dinosaurs lived much more complex lives than we thought
8
Thought-provoking photographs capture what it feels like to have ADHD
9
Ann Leckie continues to shine with new sci-fi novel Radiant Star
10
Simple treatment tweak drastically reduces blood loss from severe cuts