Product Description

Not Built in a Day presents twelve "walking tours" that cover 200 sites and move beyond the traditional guidebook by being a more personal and instructive text on Rome’s piazzas, streets, outdoor fountains, ancient ruins, and famous buildings. Where other guides shy away from expressing a strong personal viewpoint, the author doesn't hesitate to voice his opinion. He includes detailed analyses that will help readers see why so many of Rome’s buildings and monuments are considered architecturally important.

This book creates an interactive process between the reader, the text, and the architectural style — a repeated cycle of reading-looking-comprehending that in the end leads the reader not only to appreciate the buildings and monuments of Rome, but to enjoy architecture in general.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #232491 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-14
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Review
"Clean prose and profound knowledge--just the book for when the Eternal City beckons." -- Frances Mayes, bestselling author of Under the Tuscan Sun

About the Author

Customer Reviews

From Amos Elon
This memorable, witty and discerning new guide to Rome -- a city caught "like an old man" in memories, delusions and dreams --evokes the special character, history and attraction of the marvelous piazzas along with the ancient, renaissance and baroque palazzos. Sophisticated and informative, it sharpens your eye and mind; it is what lovers of Rome have been waiting for. Don't miss it for your next to Rome.... Amos Elon

New Architectural Guide to Rome
I found Mr Sullivan's book to be an insightful and elegant analysis of the architecture of Rome. It is an excellent guide for both on-site visits and for savoring after your trip. This is one of the best books that I have read on Rome.

What every guidebook should be
Not Build in a Day blends astute architectural observation with basic guidebook practicality. The descriptions combine detail and relevant explanation to make the most lay-person feel expert as they dissect the infinite elements in a church, piazza, or palazzo. For anyone who's been to Rome, the inexorable shuttling between sites makes you numb to the city's splendor, but Not Built in a Day constantly re-orients and reminds the reader that every site contains an element of architectural, historical, or civic wonder that makes the non-stop walking completely worthwhile.

The book's walking tours can be strictly followed (I completed tours 1,2, and 7 without any diversions), but once I had a better feel for the city, I picked specific places that I wanted to see and then read the appropriate entry.

Every guidebook should aspire to be Not Built in a Day