Rating: 
Summary: Visionary
Review: Not many can lay claim to creating a result that is not only a first, proves that which was thought to be impossible was not, and to have their accomplishment remain as awe inspiring today as it was centuries ago. I read the soft cover version of this book so I don't know whether the hardcover offers the same photograph. The inside of the back cover shows the dome as it looks today, even after I had read the book and all the dimensions of the dome it described, the photograph still took me by surprise. The sheer scale of what was built is as breathtaking, as it is beautiful and audacious.The dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in many ways remains unmatched in the engineering feats that were accomplished with its construction. Modern technology and materials have created domes for sports parks that dwarf the span of the dome in this book, but none match it in beauty and none will stand for the almost 600 years this dome has stood. This is a fascinating story that does not require that the reader be an engineer. There are illustrations that show some of the methods used, and while the book would benefit from having many more, the layperson can grasp the immensity of the undertaking. Vastly oversimplifying what Brunelleschi accomplished was the construction of the largest span of open space with no interior support while it was being built, and a building that did not require the giant flying buttress appendages of cathedrals like Notre Dame in Paris. A dome traditionally was prevented from destroying the building it rose upon by the use of massive exterior supports. A dome by its nature pushes down and outward, no one have ever conceived a dome of this magnitude that could be constructed, much less be completed and remain standing for centuries. In addition, since none of the traditional scaffolding was in place Brunelleschi had to invent methods for raising countless tons of stone to the dome's starting point 170 feet above the ground, or approximately the equivalent of a 17 story building today. When the dome was completed a lantern that would require the raising of one million pounds of stone was to be raised over the opening, or oculus at the dome's highest point. The story of the dome is worth the book, however the author includes the history that took place while it was built, the politics, the wars, and the rivalries. A read most anyone would enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Concise and interesting story
Review: Don't let the title put you off. This is not a dry bit of engineering history as much as it is a detailed (and focused) picture of 15th century Florence. Using the building of the dome as a fulcrum, Mr. King touches upon everyday life in Florence, church and city politics, guilds and workers, quirky Florentine personalities, and, above all, Brunelleschi's creative genius. The black and white drawings that fill in the gaps when imagination might falter are well suited to the concisely told story.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book.
Review: Well-written, concise account of the construction of Santa Maria di Fiore. The book strikes a good balance between the technical details of the construction and design, the struggles between Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, and the lana guild, and the historical context of fifteenth century Florence. The story is compelling and rarely bores. Excellent work.
Rating:
Summary: Super Dome!
Review: King writes a compelling narrative of Brunelleschi's architectural (and other creative) achievements. But King goes much further, providing a tapestry of historical context, exploring and revealing the world in which Brunelleschi worked. Brunelleschi's life and times unfold with clarity and a purposeful style that is enjoyable and instructive. Bravo! By the way, my dad visited shortly after I finished the book. He picked it up and became so engrossed, he read it straight through. He then asked if he couldn't pass it to a friend. We packed it carefully to protect the beautiful jacket, with its lovely portrait of Florence. The book will make a splendid Christmas gift for some of my friends.
Rating:
Summary: Needs more plates
Review: Very well written in colorful prose with lots of footnotes, but needs better illustrations, perhaps a color plate or two. The descriptions of the machinery the artist invented would have benefited from some precise illustrations. Some photos of the Duomo next time, please. Interior, exterior, and some close ups.
Rating:
Summary: Assumes no prior knowledge of Renaissance times
Review: The focus of Brunelleschi's Dome is on Renaissance genius Brunelleschi, whose 1400 design revolutionized architecture, tells of a madman determined to achieve his controversial plan. Chapters paint a lively portrait of the man, his times, and the architectural design which would change the world. Leisure readers will find Brunelleschi's Dome as inviting as students of architecture, with a lively tone to the presentation which assumes no prior knowledge of either Renaissance times or architectural history.
Rating:
Summary: Very interesting......
Review: For anyone who has (or is planing to)Climbed to the top of this remarkable edifice, this book is a must to read. The story of the building of this dome, and the man responsible, is much like to story of Florence itself, wonderfull. I am not an engineer, however the book was easily understood and flowed very well. I really makes the wonders of Florence come alive in the readers mind.
Rating:
Summary: The Dome
Review: The text is well done with some interesting details about marble and bricks, the quirks of personalities, and the process of decision-making in 15th century Florence, HOWEVER...I would have enjoyed it more if more time had been spent comparing and contrasting the construction of the Duomo with the Pantheon and Hagia Sophia. Also, I was amazed at the lack of detailed drawings to illustrate what was being said in the text. Nevertheless, if you're interested in architecture, this is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating for civil engineering buffs and project managers
Review: This detailed and readable little book takes its place alongside McCullough's "The Great Bridge" as a gripping narrative of a complex and risky engineering venture. Even though you know how it turns out, you'll find it hard to put the book down before the end. Today's managers will recognize a number of familiar mistakes in project planning, especially making commitments before you know of a way to accomplish them.
Rating:
Summary: A Marvelous Little Book, by fermed
Review: This exquisite book has two distinct aspects which need to be rated separately. The first has to do with the descriptions of the physics and...mechanics... the book rates five stars plus. The second aspect of the book has to do with the emotional and psychological portraits of the cast of characters of this curious little book. Somehow the author does not render the people of the story very well: they never seem to come alive, remaining distant, two-dimensional, unreachable. For this aspect the book rates three stars. ...this book is irresistible.
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