The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny (Harvard Paperbacks) [Paperback]

William L. MacDonald (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harvard Paperbacks | Publication Date: March 1981

THIS EDITION HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A NEWER EDITION

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Pantheon" is an informative and extremely well organized [book on] one of the most important and influential buildings in world history. Throughout, the language is appealing...Not only a coherent summary of the history, description, and analysis of the building, but also a discussion of the relevant architectural issues within a larger framework. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

William L. MacDonald was Alice Pratt Brown Professor of Art History at Smith College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press; 1st edition (March 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674653467
• ISBN-13: 978-0674653467
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,236,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tastily Edifying, February 14, 2005

By 

Ryan Green "Ryrgreen" (Calgary) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny, Second Edition (Paperback)

William L. MacDonald presents an unpretentious and sound survey of Rome's most famous yet least understood architectural icon. For those with a keen but novitiate interest in the Pantheon, or casual readers of Roman history, this book is ideal; it's not overwhelmingly fact-laden and it's as assimilable as an afternoon snack. For those interested in the engineering, logistics and constitution of the Pantheon I would suggest some of the recent work by the Engineer David Moore. Historically MacDonald's ideas are consistent with previous analyses and include an interesting metaphysical supposition for the Pantheon's ambitious dimensions ("to unify unities...is the Pantheons ultimate meaning" - pg. 88). The final chapter offers an insightful survey of similar designs from ancient Mycenae to Neoclassical American, showing how influencing, and influenced, Hadrian's rebuilt Pantheon was as a western idiom and architectural paragon.

All-in-all I enjoyed reading this book and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected - a pleasant surptise, September 26, 2010

By 

John Mors (Arlington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny, Second Edition (Paperback)

I bought this book to improve my understanding of the pantheon. This it certainly did.
The pleasant surprise is the explanation of circular building from tombs through to San Stefano Rotundo. It tied all of these building together for me for the first time.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Pantheon: Design, Meaning and Progeny Second Edition, March 19, 2011

By 

lifelink - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny, Second Edition (Paperback)

I have had the oppurtunity to visit this incredibly remarkable and ancient building twice. This book is well written and informative and helped me to better understand it's meaning, construction and function through the ages....It's a must see and should be on everyone's "bucket" list...