The book investigates how and why buildings fail, breaking down a wide variety of failure types, their root causes, and how they can be diagnosed. It contains many case studies (shelf-angles, glazing leaks, masonry/plank issues, frame shortening, etc.) showing the symptoms, technical causes, and identifying characteristics of each failure type. It also includes guidance on how to conduct forensic investigations—fieldwork, lab testing, report writing, and even expert testimony—and ends with an annotated bibliography and index of failure mechanisms.