When the volcano Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, the city of Pompeii was buried in ash and rock, then forgotten, left almost perfectly preserved for centuries. Archaeological excavation of the site began in 1748 and revealed extraordinary evidence about public and private life at the height of the Roman Empire.
Colin Amery and Brian Curran Jr of the World Monuments Fund describe the history of Pompeii from its origins to its tragic destruction, and discuss the repercussions of the discoveries made there on art, archaeology and interior design. They also explain the ongoing conservation and renovation work that is taking place at the site today.
Colin Amery is Director of the World Monuments Fund in Britain and a writer and architectural consultant. He was architectural critic of the Financial Times for 20 years, an editor of the Architectural Review and has been the author of many architectural books. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
A carefully considered window into the daily life of [Pompeii's] inhabitants.
A fascinating account of Pompeii, its history, what we've found in the city and what we have to lose, with stunning illustrations.
||The gripping narrative and intriguing images of the book provide a vivid glance into Pompeii's past to see the alluring power of this ghost town finally unearthed and brought to life.
||The close-ups of mosaics, the architectural details and touching glimpses of a long-dead sophisticated culture elevate this book above the rest, and the large format and glossy pages add more impact. A perfect record of an astonishing place.