Tour the towers that made history and altered the future. Why was New York’s most famous skyscraper dubbed the "Empty State Building?" How big is Japan’s planned "supertower?" Tour the world’s most incredible skylines with award-winning author-illustrator-and captivating storyteller-David Macaulay (The Way Things Work) and trace the amazing stories of skyscrapers. From France’s Gothic cathedrals to Malaysia’s record-breaking Petronas Towers, Skyscrapers introduces courageous creators, recounts little known history, and reveals supersized triumphs through spectacular film footage and dramatic recreations.

- Discover how a medieval feud between rival Italian families helped create some of the world’s earliest skyscrapers - Meet Gustave Eiffel, whose experience as a bridge builder produced one of the world’s most famous towers - View rare footage of the Empire State Building’s construction, and learn what drove one of the building’s contractors to a nervous breakdown - Learn how design flaws in New York’s Citicorp Center could have led to the greatest skyscraper catastrophe in history - Bonus activity! Build a mini-skyscraper using only newspaper, a few books, and an electric fan

David Macaulay hosts Building Big, the five-part series that brings you the amazing truth behind the greatest manmade wonders of the world. From the top of the Golden Gate Bridge to inside the Hoover Dam, Building Big travels the world exploring Bridges, Tunnels, Dams, Skyscrapers and Domes in unforgettable, really big adventures.

Includes bonus hands-on building activity designed for kids.