Cities that Changed History

Discover the story of the world's most important cities – from Mesopotamia to today's global metropolises.

Which ancient civilization founded the precursor to Mexico City? Why was Venice the gateway to the East? What was the Belle Epoque? And which was the first city with a sewer system? Cities That Changed History takes you there, and tells you all this and more.

Written in the form of illustrated “biographies”, the book offers readers a celebration of cities ancient and modern – from Persepolis and Tikal, Paris and Vienna to Prague, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and Dubai – providing a rich overview of each city, and bringing them to life with paintings, photographs, timelines, maps, and artefacts. Stunning images of city life and key moments in history are complemented by close-ups of revealing details and feature panels that provide additional context.

A book not just about history but also about art, architecture, commerce, and politics, Cities That Changed History provides a fascinating insight into what has shaped the hubs of human society down the centuries and across the world.