In the history of industrialization and modern times, there is no building material that has been as defining as concrete and steel. The material is so ubiquitous that it is often taken for granted. And yet, it is a material with a fascinating history, one that is deeply intertwined with the history of our species. The combination of these two materials, concrete and steel, has made it possible to construct most of the magnificent and massive structures in the world. In many ways, they are the very fabric of our world. The Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Burj Khalifa are all examples of the strength and durability of these materials. This book exists as a gallery of architecture, not as a love or hate story, but rather as an appreciation of two forms, steel and concrete, that have transformed our world. It was created of the course of a few years of travel in Europe, and recently, the Middle East, with photographs and texts by photojournalist Malte I. Lauterbach and Jean Michel la Rue.