Ray Laurence

This is a vivid insight into the society and culture of Pompeii during the twenty-odd years leading up to the 79AD eruption. I thoroughly recommend it as preparatory reading for a visit to Pompeii, or as follow-up reading afterwards. One of the authors is a novelist, the other a historian: the result is a delightfully lively intertwining of history and fictional vignettes. which are based on the lives of people who are known to have lived in the city. And, for all those who learned Latin through the Cambridge Schools books - Caecilius makes an appearance. To sum up: this is a very easy-to-read, absorbing book and a great way to learn more about the background of the period.… (mehr)

Why is this book a must-read? The detail is amazing! The author makes you feel as if you know the people of Pompeii, largely due to his use of the graffiti, documents found, and the archaeological record. It was fascinating to see the passage of time and events in the years leading to the city's destruction and the horrific deaths of its inhabitants. Did you know that Pompeii had suffered a terrible earthquake years before the big event? I didn't. The final chapter was a real page-turner but at the same time was hard to read. I didn't want anyone to die, especially not the children. Sometimes history just doesn't let you have the option of a happy ending. I think what I will take away from this book most are just how very human people always have been, for better and for worse, and just how fragile our lives really are.… (mehr)