A block has a finished surface that provides an attractive appearance. The
block is relatively large in size, allowing the quick construction of a
wall, such as a retaining wall, using the block. The block includes one
or more lift and alignment devices in the block that allow the block to
be lifted using a suitable lifting apparatus, such as a crane, forklift,
backhoe, etc. The block includes one or more recessed portions in the
bottom surface of the block positioned to receive the protruding lift and
alignment device of a previously-laid block underneath, thereby helping
to align the block with the previously-laid block. The block includes one
or more voids that extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of
the block, and that align with each other when the blocks are stacked
into a wall, thereby allowing fill material to be placed in the voids to
strengthen the wall. The preferred embodiments also include a wall system
with various different blocks that may be used to build a wall.