Customer Reviews

The Virtual Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi

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This CD is an amazing tool and on the cutting edge of educational technology. This is not just a collection of pictures of the basilica, you actually get to walk around in it as though you were there! Walk up to a fresco, click on it, and on your screen appears the hagiographical or scriptural sources for the painting. Amazing. I am currently taking a class in which we are using this CD to study the basilica and the textual sources from which the frescoes derive. The CD is helping us to raise all sorts of questions about the medieval understanding of space, scripture, and sainthood manifest in the basilica; the function of power, mysticism, and logic in its design; and even the much contested and often elusive connections between art and text in its pictorial narrative. Historians, theologians, and students of art and architecture alike are certain to find this disc useful for both personal research and in the classroom. And all for the cost comparable to a classroom textbook. Love it.

Teaching college courses myself, I marvel at the meticulous detail, which has gone into creating this CD. Penetrating colors of the Basilica's stained glass windows, frescoes, and ornate designs, bring their beauty into my being. Thorough background information on the Basilica and its artwork is included. Clear instructions are wonderfully helpful. Overall, the CD is a visual, mental, emotional, feast and treasure.

First of all, I'm having great difficulty loading it--tried several different machines. Was also disappointed there is no sound.I purchased two copies, and intend to return the one that hasn't been opened.