The Colosseum (Wonders of the World)
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Review
"* 'A superb cultural history... pithy and occasionally hilarious.' Evening Standard 'Brilliant... arguably the best so far in Profile's excellent Wonders of the World series... it brings the Colosseum to life in all its gory splendour.' Geographical 'A work of scholarship written with the general reader in mind... a pleasure to read.' Spectator 'What the authors have given us in the proverbial multum in parvo' Sunday Telegraph 'Revels in the accretions of detail and myth... first-class scholarship and an engagingly demotic style' Independent 'Stirring stuff! This is a welcome and well-written book... it reassesses myths, politely debunks many misconceptions about what we know - and what we don't know - to put the fabulous monument in context from its founding to the present.' Lindsey Davis, author of the Falco series 'A wonderful book, worthy of its subject: horrifying, impressive, blood-soaked, occasionally very funny and always entertaining' Robert Harris"
Independent, March 25th, 2005
'racy and occasionally confrontational book'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Picked up this book as I'm studying the Colosseum for a college course and what a find it is! Written in an engaging style without becoming too dry or academic, the book tells you not only about the structure itself and the incredible feat achieved in building it but also about the background of gladiatorial contests in the Roman empire and how the games fitted into Roman society. An effort has been made to include recent finds and theories about the Colosseum and many widely believed myths are "busted" too (Christians v Lions?), there is also some discussion about how this ruin has influenced later peoples (such as Byron and nineteenth century novelists).
The book is illustrated with some clear diagrams and pictures of paintings, graffito, and even an Asterix cartoon! One criticism is that sometimes some of the photographs are a little indistinct but this is only a very minor annoyance.
Also included are some tips on visiting the site.
All in all I found this book hugely enjoyable and have no reservation in recommending it to students or tourists alike!
The book is illustrated with some clear diagrams and pictures of paintings, graffito, and even an Asterix cartoon! One criticism is that sometimes some of the photographs are a little indistinct but this is only a very minor annoyance.
Also included are some tips on visiting the site.
All in all I found this book hugely enjoyable and have no reservation in recommending it to students or tourists alike!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is fantastic. I had to do a project on the Colosseum for a course module and was a little stumped until I found this brilliant, brilliant book. It is well written, which with factual books, for me, means easy to read and understand without being patronising. It was very, very interesting indeed and had lots of fantastic snippets of information along with the usual, how many cubic metres of stone went into this etc, etc...It struck a lovely balance between the architecture, the history and the social significance of the building to the Romans. There were useful and relevant illustrations and a lovely, and I thought successful attempt to make it relevant to modern readers, with stuff on the film Gladiator and other contemporary resources. There was a good bibliography, which I used, so I know this to be true. I highly recommend this book, both if you're a curious tourist or a student. It's not too long, it's definitely not dry and it was well worth the money. It made me want to read others in the series, even though I'm no longer studying historical architecture, and that's saying something.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Colloseum in Rome is arguably one of the five most famous buildings in the world but there are very few books about it. At least I have found that to be the case, as I have always had a fascination for the place. May this is the macabre side of me coming out. But it is not just the gladiatorial contests and many other blood letting contests that went on including wild animals fighting both humans and one another or the naval battles that were fought there. Yes naval battles, with real ships and the arena flooded with water. I readily admit that I find these interesting and have done for many years.
However the main attraction of the Flavian Amphitheatre, to give it its correct name is its architectural beauty. It is a building that we would be hard pressed to replicate today, even with all the modern building techniques that we now possess. A building that could fill with people and empty at the end of the games quicker than most modern football stadiums. A building that has stood the test of time. It is only vibration and pollution from modern day traffic that is now affecting the building more than the last two thousand years ever have.
A building that had more happening underground than ever happened above ground. Gladiator quarters, infirmaries. Lifts and hoists moved by an intricate network of pulleys and cables, that allowed wild animals to be brought up to the arena level.
This book tells you everything you need to know and more. It is well written And has some illustrations, but these are secondary to the excellent text.
However the main attraction of the Flavian Amphitheatre, to give it its correct name is its architectural beauty. It is a building that we would be hard pressed to replicate today, even with all the modern building techniques that we now possess. A building that could fill with people and empty at the end of the games quicker than most modern football stadiums. A building that has stood the test of time. It is only vibration and pollution from modern day traffic that is now affecting the building more than the last two thousand years ever have.
A building that had more happening underground than ever happened above ground. Gladiator quarters, infirmaries. Lifts and hoists moved by an intricate network of pulleys and cables, that allowed wild animals to be brought up to the arena level.
This book tells you everything you need to know and more. It is well written And has some illustrations, but these are secondary to the excellent text.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent
Excellent. Highly readable and very informative. I'm off to Rome in just over a week's time. I've been before and would otherwise not have paid much attention to the Colosseum... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2009 by Jonny Kash
A brilliant book.
If you want to know some interesting facts about the Colosseum but aren't into dry academic type books, try this one. Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2009 by Cath Andrews
I Loved this Book
The Colosseum in Rome is arguably one of the five most famous buildings in the world but there are very few books about it. Read more
Published on 13 Oct 2006 by J. Chippindale
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