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zfeig's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Probably don't read this book if you are not planning a trip to Florence. However, if you are planning a trip to Florence this book is an absolute gem. I learned so much about Santa Marie del Fiore. When I got to Florence I spent an entire day just wandering around the church noticing the architecture and the history. Really a spectacular experience. That said, my wife had not read the book - she felt we maybe spent a bit too long at the church...
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
What a delightful and fascinating little book - it made me want to go to Florence to see this marvel of human engineering. It offers insight into life in the Middle Ages as well as the story of Fillip Brunelleschi and his innovative (and unequaled) design for the dome of the Cathedral of Sante Maria del Fiore in Florence. It's not exactly a page-turner, but I really enjoyed this book.
cryo_guy's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.0
I've had this one on my shelf for a while. My dad gave it to me, so I thought I'd give it a go on a short trip.
Nice nonfiction book on Brunelleschi and the building of the famous dome. Short, easy to read, etc. etc. There were a few things that were kinda weird like sometimes he would refer to people by their first name, Brunelleschi was almost always Filippo but maybe that was because of similar last names? Also, while the book was well-researched, and we always thank such nonfiction authors for compiling information in an interesting way so that we don't have to do it, there were a few moments of a sort of unqualified quoting, namely, in my wheelhouse, that of Plato. But these things can be forgiven.
The book does presenting a nice narrative and thread that is easy to follow and has plenty of references to events of the time that put things into perspective. Definitely worth a read if you're interested in the subject, but obviously not exhaustive. A good story even if you aren't looking to know more about the dome!
Nice nonfiction book on Brunelleschi and the building of the famous dome. Short, easy to read, etc. etc. There were a few things that were kinda weird like sometimes he would refer to people by their first name, Brunelleschi was almost always Filippo but maybe that was because of similar last names? Also, while the book was well-researched, and we always thank such nonfiction authors for compiling information in an interesting way so that we don't have to do it, there were a few moments of a sort of unqualified quoting, namely, in my wheelhouse, that of Plato. But these things can be forgiven.
The book does presenting a nice narrative and thread that is easy to follow and has plenty of references to events of the time that put things into perspective. Definitely worth a read if you're interested in the subject, but obviously not exhaustive. A good story even if you aren't looking to know more about the dome!
waynediane's review against another edition
2.0
The information might have been interesting if told by an another author. Only slugged through this book because of a book club
ameyawarde's review against another edition
3.0
The library loan gods made this book show up right when I finished "The Feud That Sparked the Renaissance" which is about Brunelleschi & Lorenzo Ghiberti. Some of the facts in both conflict which put me off this one a bit I must admit.
carterlee1893's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0