Super Structures

An awesome and cool book that shows you how to build models of super structures and shows some of the coolest structures in history - Nathan, age 8

es, it’s the attack of the Ians! Super Structures by Ian Graham and Ian Murray, and reviewed by Ian Wood! It's a short (~20 pages), well-illustrated book about engineering feats: bridges, towers, skyscrapers, wind turbines and so on. It explains in some detail, but not overmuch, what they are, how they work and how they are built. It’s a great idea for a young, budding engineer or architect, or for any kid who loves to find out how things work.

It goes into a little bit of depth about the history of the structures, too: how this kind of building first began and how such feats are developed, which bridges came first, what the main types are, and how the newer, larger ones manage to stay up. I even discusses different kinds of windmills (the modern sort!), so I learned something there that I did not know. Did you know that the most common kind of modern windmill is HAWT?! We have a whole bunch of those west of where I live in Texas.

The colored drawings are detailed without being architectural, and so are pleasing to the eye, entertaining, and educational. The writing is factual and brief, but still with enough detail to engage young minds and to educate. I liked this book and I think any kid with an ounce of curiosity would - and which kid doesn’t have that?! I commend it as a worthy read.

"Super Structures" is a great STEM book about some of the world's famous structures and buildings. The book features some brief history and physics behind the constructions and supports of pyramids, columns, arches, domes, towers, skyscrapers, bridges, big wheels and wind turbines. Instructions on building each structure using basic tools like nuts, bolts and etc. are engaging and educational. If more explanations are given on how supports help to divert tensions and compression would make this book an even better read. Overall, a great book for parents to spend quality time with their children from reading, learning and building projects together. What an awesome read.

Engineering and architecture in one great volume. This non-fiction selection shares the history and science behind several popular structure types (pyramind, arch, column, etc) before giving detailed instructions on how to make your own model. I especially enjoyed the pages devoted to the Effiel Tower.

My son and I love large buildings and other structures. They are all so complex and interesting. We enjoyed learning about the many buildings and structures throughout the world. This would make a great complement to any library at school, public, or home.

This little gem of a book takes a very practical, hands-on approach: show a great example, explain, build your own model.
Super structures allows both children and parents to discover basic science principles behind the most important architecture elements - pillars, arches, domes, bridges, wheels. The examples include some of the greatest buildings in the history of mankind, such as the Egyptian Pyramids, the collonade of the Parthenon temple, the Golden Gate and Sydney Harbour bridges. Of course, I was thrilled to see that the book used my favourite building (Pantheon in Rome) as an example of a dome.
Everything in this book is relevant, informative and engaging. The instructions on how to make models of these incredible structures are supported by photo diagrams and are easy to follow.
I would recommend this book as a present for any child who loves to discover things by doing.

Super Structures is all about some of the great structures in the world and their history. Building structures can go all the way back to the pyramids. In addition to talking a bit about the structures, there is also instructions on how to build your own using different pieces. In addition to pyramids you can also learn about and build pillars and posts, arches, domes, and my personal favorite, bridges. It features some of my favorite bridges - Golden Gate in San Francisco and Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia. It then goes into towers and sky scrapers, big wheels, and finally wind turbines. I kind of wish I had the actual model kit so I could try to build some of these structures instead of just the e-book where I can only read about them.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated. This book was released October 16, 2018 from Quarto Publishing Group.

I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot and especially enjoyed the real life examples the author used. I liked it so much I bought a copy so my husband and I could use the kit with our daughter. Thanks for this review copy-this book was great.

Great illustrations and information -- if interesting in learning more about structures this has some helpful information for beginners. It is a well designed book and a creative idea for addressing Super Structures.

Super Structures by Ian Graham teaches readers about some of the most amazing structures around the world. From the Ancient Pyramids to the Eiffel Tower, get ready to take a close-up look at some awesome man-made structures. This unique, interactive book traces the history of the world’s most impressive, man-made mega structures from ancient times to the modern age, but also explores the science behind these incredible engineering feats. Discover the science of architecture behind different types of super structures, including bridges, domes and towers, then use this knowledge to have ago at creating your own from the model kit! Using card pieces, plastic connectors and string, you can make the different types of constructions – including an Egyptian pyramid, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Eiffel Tower - and then conduct tests to see how they work!

Super Structures not only explores fantastic structures, but goes through the planning and work that is involved in going from an idea to completed project. The engineering involved in the structures is explained, and the dimensions and details of the materials is all given. The book explains everything concisely and understandably without talking down to the reader. I will admit that I thought some of the pictures were aimed at a younger audience than the text and interest level, but that could have been because I was looking at a digital copy rather than the physical book. I like that the print copy of the book comes with the model kit, so the instructions and images that guide readers to build their own structions and test their skills and understanding show exactly what it should look like. In many building books the readers are supposed to use items they have or find, which makes proportions and whatnot more difficult.

Super Structures is an interesting and well put together book. I think this could be particularly useful in classroom or homeschooling environment. I think this will be a favorite for young readers fascinated by buildings and building.

Informative book for young engineers. It has explained the concepts and science of each type of structure.
There are also models to made which I suppose come along with the print book. Some fun facts make it more interesting.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC