Helpful Score: 4
Excellent. I really enjoyed it. You'll learn a lot. I think he mixes enough of the gossip, scandal and interesting bits of info from the day to keep it from getting too bogged down with details of the engineering and architectural feats.
Lorelie L. (artgal36) reviewed Brunelleschi's Dome : How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture on + 471 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Filippo Brunelleschi's design for the dome of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence remains one of the most towering achievements of Renaissance architecture. Completed in 1436, the dome remains a remarkable feat of design and engineering. Its span of more than 140 feet exceeds St Paul's in London and St Peter's in Rome, and even outdoes the Capitol in Washington, D.C., making it the largest dome ever constructed using bricks and mortar. The story of its creation and its brilliant but "hot-tempered" creator is told in Ross King's delightful Brunelleschi's Dome.
Both dome and architect offer King plenty of rich material. The story of the dome goes back to 1296, when work began on the cathedral, but it was only in 1420, when Brunelleschi won a competition over his bitter rival Lorenzo Ghiberti to design the daunting cupola, that work began in earnest. King weaves an engrossing tale from the political intrigue, personal jealousies, dramatic setbacks, and sheer inventive brilliance that led to the paranoid Filippo, "who was so proud of his inventions and so fearful of plagiarism," finally seeing his dome completed only months before his death. King argues that it was Brunelleschi's improvised brilliance in solving the problem of suspending the enormous cupola in bricks and mortar (painstakingly detailed with precise illustrations) that led him to "succeed in performing an engineering feat whose structural daring was without parallel." He tells a compelling, informed story, ranging from discussions of the construction of the bricks, mortar, and marble that made up the dome, to its subsequent use as a scientific instrument by the Florentine astronomer Paolo Toscanelli.
Both dome and architect offer King plenty of rich material. The story of the dome goes back to 1296, when work began on the cathedral, but it was only in 1420, when Brunelleschi won a competition over his bitter rival Lorenzo Ghiberti to design the daunting cupola, that work began in earnest. King weaves an engrossing tale from the political intrigue, personal jealousies, dramatic setbacks, and sheer inventive brilliance that led to the paranoid Filippo, "who was so proud of his inventions and so fearful of plagiarism," finally seeing his dome completed only months before his death. King argues that it was Brunelleschi's improvised brilliance in solving the problem of suspending the enormous cupola in bricks and mortar (painstakingly detailed with precise illustrations) that led him to "succeed in performing an engineering feat whose structural daring was without parallel." He tells a compelling, informed story, ranging from discussions of the construction of the bricks, mortar, and marble that made up the dome, to its subsequent use as a scientific instrument by the Florentine astronomer Paolo Toscanelli.
Brian B. (nonfriction) reviewed Brunelleschi's Dome : How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
An engaging account of the political and technical challanges Brunelleschi faced building the first major dome of the Renaissance, and still largest masonry dome in the world after more than 500 years.
Lyn H. (Hewette) reviewed Brunelleschi's Dome : How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture on + 67 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Nice illlustrations of the engineering principles during the Renaissance.
Tiffany K. (tiffanyak) -
Helpful Score: 1
A truly fascinating account of the daring construction of the dome of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. Remaining to this day a marvel of architectural achievement, built without central support and in a size surpassing any other brick and mortar dome construction ever accomplished, in many ways it shouldn't have been possible. The genius of Brunelleschi in not only designing and overseeing the construction of the dome, but also constructing many new machines to aid in the construction, cannot be overstated. The perfection with which the dome was constructed is startling, as is the fact that in the decades he was in charge of the project, only one worker died in an on-site accident, a safety record virtually unheard of at that time in history. Though it can be a bit dry at times if you don't have a strong interest in architecture, it still remains a very good read if you have an interest in great historical achievements.
Lynn C. (pro-life) reviewed Brunelleschi's Dome : How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great insight into the building of the Domo in Florance. The author does a great job of explaining very complex ideas simply. Anyone that loves history and architecture will enjoy this book.
Lourdes F. (LFern) reviewed Brunelleschi's Dome : How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture on + 14 more book reviews
Ross King deftly lays a score of high Renaissance adventures into the brickwork of the rising dome. As each novel feat of genius engineeing flowers high aboveground, details of scandals and pranks blow up from the city streets to creat an altogether enchanting tale.
Trisha D. (lectio) reviewed Brunelleschi's Dome : How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture on + 88 more book reviews
A really fascinating glimpse into medieval Italy and the political issues that were part of the Renaissance going on in Florence. Great details about the daily lives of the people behind all the art and architecture!!
Deborah H. reviewed Brunelleschi's Dome : How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture on + 10 more book reviews
incredible history/novel if you are interested in art, architecture of the renaissance
A. S. C. (LizardClaw) reviewed Brunelleschi's Dome : How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture on + 22 more book reviews
Fabulous book, if you like architecture and history. There are some diagrams and pictures, too!
It is very well researched. ASC
It is very well researched. ASC
Another excellent book by Ross King. A great read for anyone interested in Renaissance art and architecture.
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed Brunelleschi's Dome : How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture on + 1223 more book reviews
This was a really interesting telling of how Filippo Brunelleschi was able to build and install the dome on the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence during the 15th century. The church had been in construction for years based on a 14th century plan but no one could figure out how to complete the dome called for in the plans. Brunelleschi won a competition to complete the dome which he was able to build without using a center scaffolding to hold up the dome. He did this by inventing machines that were able to haul massive amounts of stone up to the workplace and by inventing a new means of architecture using brickwork placed inside sandstone chains.
I found this to be very compelling reading. It also included a lot of history of the time including some of the wars that involved Florence in the 1400s. I remember wanting to read this book after reading Dan Brown's Inferno which discusses the dome and piqued my interest. Someday, I also hope to visit Italy and see first-hand the works of art and the spectacular cathedrals and museums.
I found this to be very compelling reading. It also included a lot of history of the time including some of the wars that involved Florence in the 1400s. I remember wanting to read this book after reading Dan Brown's Inferno which discusses the dome and piqued my interest. Someday, I also hope to visit Italy and see first-hand the works of art and the spectacular cathedrals and museums.
John O. (buzzby) -
Trade-sized paperback
