The word "magnificent" doesn't begin to describe the splendor of this beautiful volume. A perfect gift, this 10 1/2" x 14 1/4" book is lovingly produced on fine paper, with stunning color photos. Here are the wonders of the past: the clay armies at Xi'an, China...the Parthenon in Athens...the giant statues at Abu Simbel, Egypt...the buildings carved from the rock at Petra, Jordan...plus many, many others. Legendary places are brought startlingly to life by scholars who have an extraordinary talent for written communication. The result is a treasury of information about fabled places throughout the world, from England (Stonehenge) to Italy (Pompeii) to Africa (Thebes) to Asia (Persepolis) to the Americas (Macchu Pichu) to Oceania (Easter Island). Friends will thank you for this book as they marvel at its pictures and text. And at this special B&N price, be sure to get at least one for yourself.