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In the Shadow of Vesuvius

A Life of Pliny
3.74 goodreads logo

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( 810 ratings, 145 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In the Shadow of Vesuvius by Daisy Dunn offers an insightful exploration of the lives and works of Pliny the Elder and his nephew, Pliny the Younger, set against the backdrop of ancient Rome and the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Dunn delves into their personal experiences and correspondence, painting a vivid picture of life in the Roman Empire while illustrating the enduring impact of Pliny the Elder's encyclopedic work and his nephew's literary contributions.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by Roman history and enjoy a vivid blend of biography and classical studies. With engaging scholarship, it delivers a compelling look into the lives and times overshadowed by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, revealing the resilience and cultural richness of the era.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

‘Never less than compelling … She consistently succeeds in bringing what might otherwise seem dusty and remote to vivid life’ Tom Holland, Literary Review

‘Starts with an erupting volcano – and then gets more exciting … Wonderfully rich, witty, insightful and wide-ranging’ Sarah Bakewell

In a dazzling, lively new literary biography, Daisy Dunn weaves together the lives of two Roman greats: Pliny the Elder, author of Natural History, and his nephew Pliny the Younger, who inherited his uncle’s notebooks and intellectual legacy.

Breathing vivid life back into the Plinys, Daisy Dunn charts the extraordinary lives of two outstanding minds and their lasting legacy on the world.

‘A fascinating, compelling and excellent biography’
Simon Sebag Montefiore

‘Immensely entertaining and readable … Thoroughly recommended’
Sunday Times

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

In the Shadow of Vesuvius by Daisy Dunn has been widely praised for its compelling narrative and insightful exploration of the lives of Pliny the Elder and Younger. Critics commend the book for its engaging storytelling, meticulous research, and the way it vividly brings ancient Roman society to life. Reviewers appreciate Dunn's ability to seamlessly blend scholarly insight with entertainment, offering a fresh perspective on historical figures and their influence on later generations.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008211127

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 August 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: William Collins

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 310g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Daisy Dunn is a classicist, art historian and cultural critic. She read Classics at Oxford, before winning a scholarship to the Courtauld and completing a doctorate in Classics and History of Art at UCL. She writes and reviews for a number of newspapers and magazines, and is editor Argo, a Greek culture journal. Her first books, Catullus' Bedspread and The Poems of Catullus, were published in 2016.

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