From its status as the world''s first industrialised city, through late twentieth-century decline and subsequent regeneration and rebirth as the ''Second City of the UK'', Manchester has a proud and distinctive identity. This extraordinary history is embodied in the buildings that have shaped the city. Manchester in 50 Buildings explores the history of this rich and vibrant urban centre through a selection of its greatest architectural treasures. From Victorian classics such as the neo-Gothic Town Hall to the striking new additions to the city''s skyline, such as Beetham Tower, this unique study celebrates the city''s architectural heritage in a new and accessible way. Authors Deborah Woodman and Paul Rabbitts guide the reader on a tour of the city’s historic buildings and modern architectural marvels.