David Watkin analyzes the evolution of architectural forms from antiquity to the present day. Spanning three millennia of architectural creation, he recounts the emergence and evolution of various styles and techniques, highlighting both the breaks and elements of continuity.

The description of the most memorable buildings and monuments of the Western architectural heritage is combined with an analysis of the aesthetic perceptions and standards that prevailed during the corresponding periods. The various influences that intersect and contribute to the formation of trends and schools are also traced.

The design and construction of buildings and the development of cities are placed within their broader historical and cultural context and interpreted in relation to the overall social and economic conditions, while not overlooking the crucial role of the individual as designer and patron.

Diverging from other historiographical approaches that treat the past of Western architecture as a graveyard of various styles, Watkin emphasizes that the revival of traditional forms has been the impetus for many of the great phases of architecture, particularly highlighting the successive revivals of classicism, thus underscoring the enduring relevance and vitality of classical architecture.