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

~ William L. MacDonald (Author)

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.

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. (Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians )

MacDonald describes the Pantheon's structure in some detail, against the background of contemporary architecture and building methods...and he gives a brilliant resume of its influence on other architects from just after its building to the 1950s...an exceptionally well constructed and readable book. (The Economist ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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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 (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,301,816 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 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!