Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 11/27/2019 + 1183 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.

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