Built ─ The Hidden Stories Behind Our Structures

The wonders of engineering revealed--by the inspirational female engineer behind The Shard, Western Europe's tallest building.

While our cities are full of incredible engineering feats, most of us live with little idea of what goes into creating the built environment, let alone how a new building goes up, what it is constructed upon, or how it remains standing.

In Built, star structural engineer Roma Agrawal explains how construction has evolved from the mud huts of our ancestors to skyscrapers of steel that reach into the sky. She unearths how humans have tunneled through solid mountains; how we've walked across the widest of rivers, and tamed nature's precious water resources. She tells vivid tales of the visionaries who created the groundbreaking materials used to build the Pantheon and the Eiffel Tower; and explains how careful engineering can minimize tragedies like the collapse of the Quebec Bridge. Interweaving science, history, illustrations, and personal stories, Built offers a fascinating window into a subject that makes up the foundation of our everyday lives.

Roma Agrawal is a thirty-three-year-old structural engineer who builds BIG--bridges, skyscrapers, and sculptures. Her first project, at twenty-two, was to construct a bridge over a six-lane highway in Newcastle; a year later, she began work on The Shard, designing the building's peak and foundations. A tireless promoter of engineering, scientific, and technical careers to young people, Roma has addressed thousands at universities, schools, and organizations worldwide, including two presentations for TEDx. She is a television presenter and writes articles about engineering, education, and leadership. Built is her first book. She grew up in Ohio, New York, and Mumbai, and now lives in London. romatheengineer.com / @RomaTheEngineer