This first ever translation in English from the original Italian is accompanied plates from Serlio's first editions. Thus it brings for the first time originals of Serlio's remarkable oeuvre to attention of the modern era. Through these five books Serlio had an enormous influence on the Renaissance and Baroque architecture of Northern Europe and the translators Hart and Hicks really bring this most self-effacing of Italian renaissance architects to life. A must for all those fascinated by the Italian renaissance!