Manila, and the Philippine islands beyond it, has a rich history, filled with Spanish galleons, Japanese invaders, killer volcanoes, and a host of colorful characters and incidents that make the city a must-visit destination in Asia. The influence of the Catholic Church and of Islam, the Spanish and American occupations, the Philippine independence movement, Imelda's shoes and General MacArthur's vow to return ... the list of amazing facts and treasures goes on and on. In the classic Tales format, this book tells the story of one of the world's great cities through words and images of the times.