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Also gave one a glimpse into the social structure of those early times. Particularly interesting if you had seen the Dome for yourself first. Obviously the author had done tremendous research in order to write so accurately and with such knowledge.
This book covers a number of the problems and how they were solved. While it isn't particularly thought-provoking or deep, it is interesting. I very much enjoyed this book for the light reading that it is. It also covers a number of problems the architect had where unsuccessful solutions were offered, or where solutions were offered which were not accepted.The book is an easy read. I would highly recommend it. The book is not one to be studied, but is quite interesting nonetheless.The book covers the main difficulties and innovations concerning the great dome in the cathedral in Florence. The project was ambitious in scope and posed novel problems in both design and construction.
One feels that a good diagram would do the trick, but the only diagrams in this book are archaic ones made by Brunelleschi's contemporaries, and are mostly of his hoisting machines. Several reviewers have commented that the book does not really explain how the dome was constructed without a wooden framework to support the bricks while the mortar bonding them together set and cured. In my experience, when an author is unable to adequately explain something, it means that he does not really understand it himself. I was especially disappointed by this book because it was referenced in a teaching course as THE EXPLANATION, which it most definitely is not. I would endorse these comments. The author writes about the "herring-bone" configuration of the brickwork (same as everyone else) but I was not able to understand how this would support bricks whose bedding plane lies at a steep angle to the horizontal.
I have given this book to many non-history buffs and they have loved it. What a fascinating book.This tale of how the dome of Florence's cathedral was built gives a fascinating account of the time, the engineering, the artists and the rivalry that drove them.
Surprising the writer brought that to life so well. How to make that dome stand without supports during construction. So cool and engaging. Man I just LOVED this. Grade: A-. And quite a fast and easy read. Perfect for the visit to Florence. Who knew it'd be so compelling to follow the rivalries, the pursuit of perfection, and the plain old puzzle solving.
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