The Stones of the Parthenon (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum) [Paperback]

Manolis Korres (Author), D Turner (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0892366079 | ISBN-13: 978-0892366071 | Publication Date: December 28, 2000 | Edition: 1

Most visitors to the Acropolis in Athens pause to wonder how the large marble pieces were hauled up the sacred mount. In fact, even with today's far more advanced construction equipment, it would be impossible to match the precision with which the ancient builders built the imposing structures of the Parthenon in just eight years!
The Stones of the Parthenon is a riveting investigation of the technological achievements of the ancient Greeks. This highly readable account explains how an 11-ton Doric column capital was quarried and transported to Athens. The author's intricate line drawings clearly illustrate the methods and tools employed in the accomplishment of this feat of ancient craftsmanship.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 7-12. This slim, small-format book, with a cover resembling a limited-edition adult title, takes readers step-by-step through the building techniques used to construct the Parthenon. Reminiscent of David Macaulay's work, ink drawings illustrate brief chapters narrated in a present tense, you-are-there style. Although the language is stiff and slightly awkward in places, and both text and illustrations lack Macaulay's ease and humor, the book does a good job of describing basic engineering principles while providing some historical background. Notes, a glossary, and a bibliography of adult (and in some cases foreign) titles are appended. Not a necessary purchase but consider this for larger collections where material about engineering and art history are in demand. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Manolis Korres has studied the structural renovation of the Acropolis monuments for the Ministry of Culture of the Hellenic Republic since 1975.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: J. Paul Getty Museum; 1 edition (December 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892366079
• ISBN-13: 978-0892366071
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,115,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Lightweight in Form and Content, May 22, 2003

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Diotima "Mantinea" (Western Australia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Stones of the Parthenon (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum) (Paperback)

I am surprised to see that this book was published by the J. Paul Getty Museum. The book is based on the first part of "From Pentelicon to the Parthenon" published by Melissa Publishing House in 1995.

I was expecting something similar to the scholarly "Ancient Egyptian Construction and Architecture" by Somers Clarke and R. Engelbach. But I was sadly dissapointed with "The Stones of the Parthenon" which is written in a narrative style and has line drawings suitable for children. It's just a novella describing the passage of one block of stone from the quarry to the Parthenon.

Save your money for "The Athenian Acropolis" by Jeffrey M. Hurwit.