When structures fall, it is never just the steel and concrete that give way.

Catastrophic Collapses: From Vision to Vulnerability is a gripping account of fifty disasters that scarred the modern world. From bridges that plunged into rivers and dams that burst, to towers that crumbled and industrial plants that failed, each story reveals how ambition, oversight, and flawed judgment unraveled the very systems meant to endure.

This book traces not only the technical aspects of collapse but also the human and moral dimensions. Some failures arose from design flaws and ignored warnings, while others stemmed from misplaced confidence, ethical lapses, or responsibilities accepted too late.

Covering events from the early twentieth century to the present day, this timeline of disasters highlights the lessons engineers, architects, students, and policymakers must carry forward. By understanding why things failed, we are reminded of what it takes to build responsibly in a world where the margin for error is slim.

For readers fascinated by engineering, history, and the human side of failure, Catastrophic Collapses offers both a cautionary record and a compelling narrative. Because every collapse leaves a blueprint behind.

This book is for engineers, architects, constructors, policymakers, and for all those curious about how great structures fall and what we must learn before history repeats itself. It also contains a glossary at the end to support readers who may not have an engineering or construction background but still wish to fully engage with the topics explored in the book. This volume serves as both a cautionary reference and an academic resource, making it suitable for libraries, universities, and professional collections in engineering, architecture, and social studies.