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Rome

Eternal City
4.17 goodreads logo

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( 646 ratings, 78 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
Rome by Ferdinand Addis offers a captivating journey through the history of the Eternal City, from its mythical origins to its pivotal roles in shaping Western civilisation. Addis paints vivid portraits of influential figures and pivotal events, providing a rich tapestry of political, cultural, and architectural evolution across centuries. This narrative illustrates how Rome has continually reinvented itself, profoundly impacting art, religion, and world history.
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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 the rich tapestry of Rome's history, as it vividly brings to life the city's evolution from its legendary founding to its influential role in the modern world. It offers engaging narratives and insightful perspectives on historical events and figures that shaped Western civilisation, perfect for history enthusiasts and those captivated by ancient cultures.

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A portrait of the city at the heart of Western civilization, brought to life in twenty-two scenes from its 2,500-year history.

A thrilling portrait of the city at the heart of Western civilization, brought to life in twenty-two scenes from its 2,500-year history.

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

The sweeping story of the city of Rome, told through twenty-two moments that shaped its history.

A Times History Book of the Year

'Vivid, pacey... Superb' The Times.

'Grand narrative underpinned by serious reading' Guardian.

'Confident, elegant... Admirably ambitious' Daily Mail.

From Romulus and Remus to the films of Fellini, Rome has always exerted a hold on the world's imagination. Now Ferdinand Addis brings the city of Rome to life by concentrating on vivid episodes from its long and unimaginably rich history.

Each beautifully composed chapter is an evocative, self-contained narrative, whether it is the murder of Caesar; the near-destruction of the city by the Gauls in 387 BC; the construction of the Colosseum and the fate of the gladiators; Bernini's creation of the Baroque masterpiece that is St Peter's Basilica; the brutal crushing of republican dreams in 1849; the sinister degeneration of Mussolini's first state, or the magical, corrupt Rome of Fellini's La Dolce Vita.

This is an epic, kaleidoscopic history of a city indelibly associated with republicanism and dictatorship, Christian orthodoxy and its rivals, high art and low life in all its forms.

Reviews for Rome:

'Superb... Rome's history is written in blood and Addis, who has a vivid, pacey writing style, spares not the squeamish as he describes three millennia of violence from the first kings to Il Duce' The Times.

'This is a confident, elegant account of the city's progress... [Addis's] version is admirably ambitious and succeeds splendidly in a task that would daunt lesser authors' Daily Mail.

'[Addis] brings Rome's history alive through grand narrative... The snappy paragraphs are underpinned by serious reading... Addis's chosen formula is to serve up selected highlights but to come at them from quirky angles' Guardian.

'From its ancient foundation to the Second World War, via Gauls, ghettos and gladiators, its 22 chapters focus on the themes of individuals, myths and beliefs' BBC World Histories.

'He brings the myth of Rome alive by concentrating on vivid episodes from its rich history. This is a book about people, and their experiences, prejudices and beliefs' Oxford 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?

Rome by Ferdinand Addis has been praised for its vivid and dynamic style, highlighting the city's tumultuous history with energetic narratives and engaging vignettes. The book combines grand storytelling with a focus on individuals, myths, and beliefs, making its complex history accessible and lively. Critics commend Addis's ability to make history come alive, and his ambitious approach is viewed as both confident and successful.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781781853047

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 11 July 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Head of Zeus

Illustration: 3 x 8pp colour

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 44.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 460g

Pages: 672

About the Author

Ferdinand Addis read classics at Oxford, before embarking on a career as a journalist and author. He lives in London with his wife and daughter.

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