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wescovington's review against another edition
3.0
I read the Kindle version and it seemed to be lacking in visual elements that would give the reader an idea just how big this dome is. Although the book is short, it still feels a bit padded in parts.
terpsjas's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful history
After visiting Florence (Firenze), I marveled at how Il Duomo was designed, architect ed, and built. A stunning achievement and a wonderful history!
After visiting Florence (Firenze), I marveled at how Il Duomo was designed, architect ed, and built. A stunning achievement and a wonderful history!
mazza57's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very readable account of the building of Florence's Great Cathedra, but it also has a very personal view of the architects involved and the times in which it all took place.
bookboss85's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this book and didn't know much about Brunelleschi aside from his name. I admit I do love anything that has to do with Italy, and this fell into the category.
Having seen this church in person, and then reading how it was built makes me want to take a trip back just so I can climb the Dome and to see everything that they did to this Church while building it.
Having seen this church in person, and then reading how it was built makes me want to take a trip back just so I can climb the Dome and to see everything that they did to this Church while building it.
jayshay's review against another edition
4.0
Really informative and engaging. Very detailed on the construction of the dome (which I liked but might be a little much for some). A clean, precise prose style, maybe could have had more texture and mood would have been nice. While it was great on the building I didn't get a feel for Brunelleschi himself -- that might just be the limitations of sources and the scruples of King. Overall a very good book on the subject -- especially if you are going to visit it and want a deeper sense of why it is so important and a work of genius.
mnohare's review against another edition
4.0
On top of it being one of my favorite cities I’ve visited, I have a huge soft spot for 14th-15th century Florence history, so I’m incapable of giving this less than 4 stars. There’s an interesting balance between the author reeeallllly simplifying some of the technical/engineering aspects (which I totally understand why he did so) while also not really defining or providing sketches/diagrams of any of the technical terms or concepts he’s talking about (simple machines, etc.) to where it’s almost assumed you have an existing knowledge base in the subject. But overall a really solid, fun read that still gets into the ~drama~ of the period and task at hand.
olivia_piepmeier's review
3.0
This has been on my to-read list for a long time, but I have no idea why. Clearly it's related to my art history background but as to who recommended it to me or where I originally saw it, I have no clue.
As a Freshmen I was assigned Ross King's other art history related book in my Western Civ class, [book:Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling|737957], but recall being completely bored by it and unable to really read it. This wasn't the case here, perhaps because it's more interesting or maybe I'm just more mature.
There was a lot in here that went over my head (hello anything to do with engineering) but it was fun to read about 15th century Florence from the view of completing Santa Maria del Fiore. It absolutely made me want to play Assassins Creed II again.
One thing that bugged my little librarian brain a bit was a lack of citations. He had to do research to find out this information. Where did he go? What did he consult? Maybe it's a thing where the publishers thought it wouldn't matter to the non-academic audience who this was written for? Perhaps he's just seen as an authority in the field so he can "get away" with not citing all this information that he's throwing at us?
As a Freshmen I was assigned Ross King's other art history related book in my Western Civ class, [book:Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling|737957], but recall being completely bored by it and unable to really read it. This wasn't the case here, perhaps because it's more interesting or maybe I'm just more mature.
There was a lot in here that went over my head (hello anything to do with engineering) but it was fun to read about 15th century Florence from the view of completing Santa Maria del Fiore. It absolutely made me want to play Assassins Creed II again.
One thing that bugged my little librarian brain a bit was a lack of citations. He had to do research to find out this information. Where did he go? What did he consult? Maybe it's a thing where the publishers thought it wouldn't matter to the non-academic audience who this was written for? Perhaps he's just seen as an authority in the field so he can "get away" with not citing all this information that he's throwing at us?
seriouslybookedup's review
3.0
I bought this teeny, tiny little pamphlet of a book during my trip to Italy late last year. It took me 3 months to chug through barely 200 pages. Brunelleschi's Dome is a totally capable and fascinating look into the history of the Duomo of Florence. Here's my problem: I binged on all things Renaissance after my trip and watch a spectacular NOVA documentary on the construction of the dome. At which point, I considered myself a certifiable expert. Herringbone construction? Don't even get me started, bruh. If this book is your only source or introduction into the construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, then you're in for a real treat. After binging on documentaries with far more interesting visuals, this book felt serviceable but kinda dull.
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