"In this lavishly illustrated book are depicted some of the finest examples of the architecture and decorative arts of all Asia. The tiled opulence of Isfahan, ancient capital of Persia, the fantastic exuberance of the Great Hindu Temple of Madure in South India, the gleaming white geometry of the Taj Mahal--all are witness to the vigorous, proud civilizations that build them. Whole cities are described, as well as individual buildings, and the range is vast--from the monumental ruins of Ctesiphon and samarra, colossal vestiges of long-dead empires, to the intricate 15th-century elegance of the Forbidden City of Peking...A team of distinguished scholars have written compact and informative descriptions of each site, introducing the general reader to many fascinating details of architecture, history, and cultural background."--from book jacket