This five-volume set presents some 1,000 comprehensive and fully illustrated histories of the most famous sites in the world. Entries include location, description, and site details, and a 3,000- to 4,000-word essay that provides a full history of the site and its condition today. An annotated further reading list of books and articles about the site completes each entry.

The geographically organized volumes include:
* Volume 1: The Americas * [1-884964-00-1]
* Volume 2: Northern Europe * [1-884964-01-X]
* Volume 3: Southern Europe * [1-884964-02-8]
* Volume 4: Middle East & Africa * [1-884964-03-6]
* Volume 5: Asia & Oceania * [1-884964-04-4]