Pompeii: The History, Life and Art of the Buried City (Hardcover)

~ Marisa Ranieri Panetta (Author), Supts. of Pompeii & Campania (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The rediscovery of Pompeii in 1748 represented a decisive moment for our understanding of the Roman world. To visit the site on these pages
is to travel through time: here is the excitement and drama Pompeii represents for archaeology and Classical studies, a complete tour of the complex and fascinating first-century Roman city.
White Star's partners for Pompeii: Art and Treasures of the Buried City are the official institutions charged with preservation and the continuing exploration of the site: the Archaeological Superintendencies of Pompeii and Naples, and the Università Federico II of Naples. This book is the first collaboration of these two expert staffs and each offers a special authority on the excavations and the art of the ancient city.
The text documents the most recent investigations and discoveries from the field-some previously unpublished-and represents the most current available view of one of the world's most famous archaeological sites.

About the Author

Marisa Ranieri Panetta writes for specialized publications, such as Archeo. In 1997 she won the UNESCO "Media Saves Art" prize for reporting on Pompeii. In 2002 she was awarded the International Theodor Mommsen Prize for her reports on Campi Flegrei.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: White Star; 1St Edition edition (October 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8854001066
• ISBN-13: 978-8854400306
• ASIN: 8854400300
• Product Dimensions: 14.2 x 10.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #116,617 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magical Lure of the Buried City of Pompeii, November 15, 2005

By	Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

For all the fictional stories of the city of Atlantis, the lost cities of various cultures, and the sci-fi fantasies of destroyed kingdoms, none is as fascinating as the discovery in 1748 of the lost city of Pompeii. For centuries now archeologists and historians have studied and written about the glorious city that was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. While many books have been written about various aspects of the excavation, the speculation, the discovered art of Pompeii, they all pale in comparison to this majestic tome as superbly edited by Marisa Ranieri Panetta.

Different from the numerous 'travel guide' books that reconstruct with plastic overlays the city now excavated with the city as it once stood, Panetta has gather a staff of thirteen ecellent Italian scholars who each write brilliantly about a different aspect of this city still veiled in mystery. The book is divided into the following sections: Introduction by Panetta, The Discovery and History of Pompeii, Public Life, Religious Life, Commercial Life, Private Life, Lifestyles, Oplontis (an area outside Pompeii of fascinating richness), Mount Vesuvius and the Eruption, and a brilliant chronology, glossary and bibliography.

The tome contains many new, never before published photographs of the city and the art. But the overwhelming beauty of the book is in the design and copious foldout pages that allow for panoramic views. The color reproduction is first class. This is now the magnum opus and certainly the definitive book on Pompeii. Given that the visuals are splendid, the additional good news is that the commentary essays are excellent reading! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, November 05

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breath Taken away and not by Volcanic ash, January 22, 2006

By	Jack De Bellis "Bibliomaniac" (Allentown, PA) - See all my reviews

This is a miraculous book, unearthing the wonders and artistic and technical genius of a nearly vanished city. The sumptuous photographs are almost past-believing in their glorious Pompeiian reds and in the luscious details from every sandaled walk of the the city, from the contemplative to the erotic. A major generous addition is a four page foldout very suitable for framing inserted slyly into the back cover. Each essay is honest and lucid. This is the one book on Pompeii you should keep. I've jetisoned my others. It's a treasure. Treat yourself.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A huge book for a little price. , February 18, 2007

By	jeanne (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

Lots of wonderful pictures and information. I was really surprised. It's not a book you can bring along to Pompeii (it's really heavy and large). That was my orginal idea. However, it's filled with amazing pictures and details that I'll note and try to see. It will also be nice to have after my trip because there is no way I'll have the pictures that this book provides. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Pompeii or is planning to visit.