This work examines the evolution of bridge construction and the engineering challenges overcome to span the world's most significant waterways. Hubert Shirley-Smith, a distinguished civil engineer, utilizes his professional expertise to analyze the structural mechanics and historical context of major bridge projects. The text provides a technical overview of how material advancements and design innovation have allowed engineers to push the limits of span length and load-bearing capacity.

Engineers and historians frequently cite this text as a reliable, foundational reference for understanding the development of bridge engineering in the 20th century. The prose is noted for its clarity, making complex structural concepts accessible to both students and interested laypeople.