"Brunelleschi's Dome" by Ross King Review

"By all accounts, Filippo Brunelleschi, goldsmith and clockmaker, was an unkempt, cantankerous, and suspicious man-even by the generous standards according to which artists were judged in fifteenth-century Florence. He also designed and erected a dome over the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore-a feat of architectural daring that we continue to marvel at today-thus securing himself a place among the most formidable geniuses of the Renaissance. At first denounced as a madman, Brunelleschi literally reinvented the field of architecture amid plagues, wars, and political feuds to raise seventy million pounds of metal, wood, and marble hundreds of feet in the air. Ross King's captivating narrative brings to life the personalities and intrigue surrounding the twenty-eight-year-long construction of the dome, opening a window onto Florentine life during one of history's most fascinating eras."

-Goodreads summary

Ross King tells the story of the Duomo di Santa Maria Del Fiore and Brunelleschi as just that: a story. Which is why this book was so much fun to read. It really speaks to Ross King's skill as a writer that he can make concepts like dome fortifications and pulley systems interesting to read, and that he presents his information in a both entertaining and educational way. Not too many history books I've come across have focused on such a specific topic as this one did,and yet what seemed at first glance as a pretty isolated idea ended up connecting to many things in the end, and enriched my knowledge of Italian history and culture across the board. The way King wrote about Brunelleschi presented him as a character, and not just a historical figure. I found myself giggling whilst reading the accounts of Brunelleschi exchanging insulting sonnets with his enemies and playing cruel mind tricks on them. I wish people still messed with each other like that instead of tweeting and ask.fm posts. Feuds would be much more amusing.

Brunelleschi's Dome is a short and informational read, and by no means did I have to force myself to get through it. If you're interested in Renaissance/ Middle Ages Italy and architecture, definitely pick this book up!