Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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.

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...

This is a great and informative introduction to the best preserved temple in Rome - and perhaps of ancient history. MacDonald covers the ground succinctly and readably...highly recommended. You will be left wanting to hear more.