The book is a revised and expanded edition of the original 1985 publication. It includes a bibliography and an index. The work is known for its interdisciplinary approach to architectural history.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals" by Spiro Kostof is widely considered a masterpiece and a seminal work in the field of architectural history. Unlike traditional architectural histories that focus solely on major monuments and a "canon" of Western styles, Kostof's book takes a more expansive and inclusive approach. He examines the built environment in its totality, from prehistoric huts and igloos to industrial complexes and modern skyscrapers. The book's central thesis is that architecture is not just an aesthetic art form but a reflection of the social, economic, and technological aspects of human history. Kostof emphasizes the importance of "settings and rituals," arguing that buildings are shaped by their context—their physical environment, the daily lives of the people who use them, and the cultural rituals they house.

The book covers a vast scope, from the Stone Age to Post-Modernism, and is richly illustrated with nearly a thousand drawings by Richard Tobias, which are designed not just to illustrate but to convey information about the buildings' context and development over time. The second edition, revised by his colleague Greg Castillo after Kostof's death, updates the content and reinforces the book's original goal of breaking down the "strict distinctions between architecture and building, between architecture and urbanism, and between high cultures and low."