A book of bridges

The book offers a richly illustrated tour through seven centuries of bridge building, pairing striking photographs with concise commentary that brings each structure to life. Its pages move from medieval stone arches over the Rhône to early twentieth‑century timber spans, showing how engineers have responded to the materials, landscapes, and needs of their age. The collaboration between a skilled artist and a meticulous historian makes the visual and textual material feel like a seamless conversation between form and function.

Beyond the engineering details, the work frames bridges as mirrors of society—markers of trade, symbols of conquest, and stages for the dramas of war and peace. Readers discover how the very design of a crossing can influence military strategy, civic identity, and everyday movement, while the narrative reflects on how modern conflicts reshaped the purpose of these vital links. The result is an engaging blend of art, history, and human story that invites listeners to see familiar structures in a new, broader context.