Not Built in a Day: Exploring the Architecture of Rome

by George H. Sullivan

This book is a unique, eye-opening guide to one of the world’s most magnificent cities, celebrating the special character of Rome’s buildings, fountains, piazzas, streets, and ruins with illuminating insight and irresistible enthusiasm — for the first-time sightseer, the frequent visitor, or the armchair traveler.Not Built in a Day moves beyond the names, dates, and statistics of the traditional guidebook to provide a loving, personal, and instructive analysis of the architectural pleasures of Rome. Twelve walking tours profile some two hundred sites within Rome’s ancient walls, all described in prose that is fresh, witty, and discerning. From the largest piazza down to the smallest fountain, George H. Sullivan’s essays explore the city with an engagingly appraising eye, enabling readers to see exactly what makes the architecture of Rome so important and so memorable. Sophisticated enough for those well versed in architecture, yet written in language accessible to all readers, this extraordinary guide is a deeply felt homage to Rome and its fascinating two-thousand-year history.In addition to detailed maps for the twelve walking tours, this wonderful edition comes illustrated with classical etchings.

Genres: Travel, Architecture, History

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2005

Reviews

[Penny Cipolone · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent source for material on the wonders of Roman architecture. A bit technical in spots, but great for those who have been to Rome or are planning to go. Would have been nice to have more illustrations but I see the author's point in that illustrations of all that he describes would have made the book too heavy to carry around. A most enjoyable read.

[David Premier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a reference book... Good to carry along on a trip to Rome. It really helps to understand the historic significance of each monument in the city and paints a beautiful picture of that era it was built in.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely only for lovers of Rome, but I am one. I'd love to have read it as a sightseer but even as a armchair traveller, I enjoyed it. If it were as heavily illustrated as would be ideal for someone reading at home, it would be far too heavy to use as a guidebook (not to mention outrageously expensive!). Best read with a laptop or tablet at hand to look up photos of the sights discussed.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book if you are no your way to Rome