This colorful fact-filled book begins with the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24-25, 79 CE. Volcanic debris poured down on Pompeii, quickly covering the city to a depth of more than 9 feet. The entire coast of the Bay of Naples between Herculaneum in the north and Stabiae to the south was devastated. An estimated two thousand people died in Pompeii, which was abandoned for almost as many years.

Prior to the eruption, Pompeii was a prosperous city of between 8,000 to 12,000 people. The population was not worried about Mount Vesuvius, Chrisp writes, because it had not erupted for as long as anyone could remember (and in fact, it had not erupted for 700 years).

When it did erupt, it spewed gas, rocks and ash 18.5 miles into the air. The ash acted as a preservative. When a group of explorers rediscovered the site in 1748, they were surprised to find that under the thick layer of dust and debris Pompeii was mostly intact. Beautiful buildings, artifacts, artworks, and skeletons were discovered in the buried city.

This book takes us on a tour of the city, showing us houses, temples, a forum, baths, gardens, shops, and more. The pages are chock filled with great graphics including foldouts, informational text boxes, maps, and photos. Best of all, a CD is included that provides an amazing 3D tour of the city.

Evaluation: The extent to which the art and artifacts of Pompeii are preserved is nothing short of amazing, and teaches us so much about how people lived in ancient Rome. This is an excellent resource for all ages. ( )

The message of this book is to understand the life of those that lived in Pompeii before it was destroyed by a volcano.
This is an absolutely marvelous informational text. I was quite impressed with how this book was set up and the detailed information provided. The set up of this book allows a reader to learn about many different aspects of the city of Pompeii and the inhabitants: social lives, working lives, different tools and shelters that were in the city.
I also loved the graphics of this book. On every page there are text features such as details pictures, informational text, foldable pages, and maps. This book is filled with important information about the different aspects of the Romans that lived in Pompeii. I especially enjoyed the fold out pages that presented the layouts of different styles of homes. I think it is a fun affect that gives the reader some enjoyment while reading the text. ( )