Pompeii, the Roman city completely engulfed by lava in a volcanic eruption in AD 79, has fascinated historians and casual travelers alike since its rediscovery in the 18th century. Having been lucky enough to both visit Pompeii itself and see an exhibition of its treasures at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, I was especially drawn to this book and found it to be the perfect reference on Pompeii.
Not only does the author talk about the city's rediscovery and what it looks like today, she also digs back into its past and gives a good overview of Pompeii's history and what it was like as a living Roman city. This makes the book much more interesting and comprehensive than it would be as simply an overview of the archaeological remains of today: instead, we begin to understand how a Roman city evolved, the purposes of its public buildings, and the lives of its people. Berry also mentions the effects of modern civilization on Pompeii, how the city has suffered from recent earthquakes and the numbers of tourists who visit every year, and what may become of it in the future. Sidebars add even more information about Roman life, including transcriptions of graffiti found on the walls of Pompeii, the theatrical entertainment held in the city's public theatres, the deities worshipped by the Romans, and even the plants that would have grown in Pompeii's gardens.
The best thing about the book, even beyond the excellent information, are the wonderful photographs of the city and its surroundings, as well as artifacts, works of art, murals, and statuary. This is definitely a wonderful resource for anyone who is interested in Pompeii and its neighboring city, Herculaneum, or in life in a typical Roman city of the time. It's almost as satisfying as an actual visit to the city.
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