By USA Today

Ever since the biblical Tower of Babel, architects have been reaching for the heavens, giving us bird's-eye views of the world. Judith Dupre, in her book Skyscrapers (Black Dog and Leventhal; $24.98), examines 50 of these sky-poking structures. Here, she picks 10.

1. CN Tower, Toronto

On a clear day you can see for 100 miles from the highest point on Earth that you can reach without climbing. ''The 1,815-foot tower has views of the heart of the city, the Toronto Islands and Lake Ontario.

2. Space Needle, Seattle, right

You're very conscious of the beauty of the physical world from this 605-foot-tall tower, which offers 360-degree views of downtown Seattle, Puget Sound's islands, Lake Washington, Lake Union, the Olympic Peninsula and Mount Rainier.

3. John Hancock Center, Chicago

The world's tallest mixed-use building muscles its way 1,127 feet into the sky. ''Big John's observatory is considered the best in the Midwest, with views that extend 40-60 miles.

4. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

The view from this 2-mile-long suspension bridge, icon for the city, is best in early morning or at sunset.

5. Stratosphere, Las Vegas

The tallest free-standing observation tower in the United States soars 1,149 feet.

6. Empire State Building, New York

This queen of all observation decks (86th floor) has wrap-around views of Manhattan.

7. Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.

Built on the highest point in the city, the second largest cathedral in the United States (after St. John the Divine in New York City) reaches 676 feet.

8. Prudential Center, Boston

A sunny day is the best time to see the great melding of 19th and 20th century architecture of the city

9. Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta

The tallest hotel in the Western Hemisphere at 723 feet has very romantic views, especially at night.

10. Gateway Arch, St. Louis

From the small viewing platform of this tallest national monument in the United States (630 feet) there are great views of the Mississippi River.

-- USA Today