It was 1929 and the race was on to put up the tallest building in the world. Less than two years later, the race was over and the age of skyscrapers had its exclamation point.

Empire State Building tells the story of an American icon. From demolition to finishing touches, author Elizabeth Mann tracks the wonders of its architecture, engineering, and construction. From millionaires to laborers, she captures the human stories behind the technical wizardry. From the rise of a great city to the depths of the Great Depression, she traces the historical forces behind the creation of the world's most famous skyscraper.

Empire State Building is a fascinating look at this enduring symbol of New York.

From the dust jacket