Customer Reviews
David Macauley is brilliant! 
2006-08-22
This video presentation of the building of the city of Rome is a must for anyone interested in the classics or architecture.
I intend to share it with my Latin classes so that they can appreciate the genius of the Roman civilization. Did you know the Romans invented building arches with cement?
Warmly,
Robert D. Askren,Ph.D.
A must have for Roman history 2006-04-19
I am a huge fan of David Macaulay's historically based line drawings. I found myself drawn into the images and fact-based fictional story. I forgot I borrowed this for my children! After you read the book, you may want to view the PBS video Roman City hosted by Mr. Macaulay. It features footage of ruines as well as animation sequences that follow the story set-up in City. Be sure to include this book in your study of 1st century BC / AD Rome- you won't be disappointed!
A Must Have Book 2005-12-18
If you're studying Rome, you NEED this book! There are no pretty colored pictures here, no photos either, just very clear, exceptionally detailed line drawings that make it apparent even to quite young students (I used this with a grade 3 homeschool student) how very much "modern" life owes to Roman engineering genius.
super!!!!! excellent!!! 2004-12-07
an excellent book... provides insight on roman architecture.. i especially love the explanation and graphics on the construction of aqueducts... excellent!!!!!!
A marvelous book 2004-12-06
I had the good fortune to receive this book as a gift some twenty years ago as a child. The basic premise is simple enough: these people from another time and country are going to build something, and the book is going to show us how they did it. The text itself, as with many children's books, is relatively simple, but the intricate pen-and-ink drawings are spellbinding. Time and again I would go back to CITY, and pore over the pictures, often discovering some previously-overlooked detail that Macaulay had included.
I highly recommend CITY, and Macaulay's other architectural books, to both children and adults. Most children are inherently curious, and interested in how things are made, why they work, and who made them. Macaulay teaches those things in his books, but more importantly, the books draw the reader in and stimulate the imagination. There's a hands-on history lesson inherent in each of these books, a brief glimpse at other cultures around the globe and in different times. Whether it's ancient Egypt, classical Rome, medieval France, or 18th Century America, the worlds in Macaulay's books are always fascinating to visit.
A great introductory book in Roman city stucture. 
2008-05-26
I ordered this book for the purpose of understanding Roman constuction of a city. It is definitely an excellent source for those who wish to know how Rome may have organized it's sattelite cities. The books is concise and filled with illustrations to aid the reader in imagining what a Grand scheme a Roman Engineered city must have been (especially considering what setbacks in civilization would come later through the middle ages).
I really enjoyed this book, the only setback I have with it is that it is maybe too good at summarizing it's subject. It is a brief read, more belonging to the non-fiction section of a 'Young Adults' library than a history loving 'Adult'. It is a little...sanitized in Roman Rule, and skirts around the visciousness of Italy. One would be inclined to believe the Romans were peaceful while reading this, and forget that they were a civilization bent on subjugaition of foreign lands, and brutal in justice for all citizens. That is the only reason I hold back 1 star; there is much more that could be told, and considering the excellent detail the rest of the book gives, it could have abbreviated LESS in it's timeline, and the reader would have been much more in debt to the author for having done so. I want MORE!
A very good source of Roman city information. Well recommended.
Another great David Macaulay book 2007-06-05
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars rather than 5 is that David Macaulay has set the bar so high for himself over the years by writing and illustrating some real masterpieces such as Castle and Cathedral. City is also a great book, just not quite as amazing as others he has written. I bought this for my son, who has always been intrigued by construction projects, but I have also enjoyed it quite a bit.
Roman Architecture Explained: Fascinating! 2007-05-31
In this book, David Macaulay expertly describes and illustrates the construction of the imaginary Roman city of Verbonia. It is based hundreds of real Roman cities built between 300 B.C. and A.D. 150. I was amazed at the planning that went into the city, and the systematic and precise manner that everything was managed. I was fascinated to learn how they built the aqueducts for the city's water supply, even going through hills, and the sewer system underground to keep the city sanitary. The architecture of the forum and baths was so intriguing. Of course, this might be expected from the author of "The Way Things Work"! His detailed drawings are fabulous. This a terrific book for learning about Roman cities in this time period and for studying the way the cities were put together to provide for all the needs of the inhabitants.
How Romans Built 2007-05-01
When taken together as a collection, Macaulay's books, from Castle and Cathedral and Pyramid, Mill, Unbuilding, Mosque, and most definitely this one, City, create what is probably the most readable, retainable, and approachable exploration of the story of architecture that's out there. These books, each highlighting an era and a project, are all a lot of fun to look at, read, and think about, and in this volume, City, the foundation and construction of a Roman population center is detailed. From the explanation for why the Romans built cities from scratch, to the selection and preparation of the site, to the actual erection of a brand new city, Macaulay leaves nothing unexplored or unexplained. These books are as enjoyable for adults as they are for children, and are truly classics of our time.
A Ground Breaking Book 2006-12-26
When David Macaulay published this book in 1974, he was following in the path of the great American illustrators Edwin Tunis and Eric Sloane. They produced many memorable history books for young adults in the years following the Second World War. Tunis and Sloane blended well written history with well done pen and pencil illustrations. "City" follows the standard convention of beginning with a parcel of undeveloped land and showing the building process as the project progresses to a completed Roman city.
What makes this book so important is that David Macauley was able to expand the age paremeters and produce a beautiful book that could appeal to both young children and adults. His skills as a story teller and illustrator allowed people to look architecture and history in a new light. There are other illustrators with stronger drafting skills but there is nobody with more imagination. Macaulay is not afraid to enter into an image and tear it apart and look at it from many different viewpoints. There is a sense of movement and playfulness in his illustrations that make him unique.
This book is so important in the history of children's non-fiction literature because David Macaulay opened the doors for a whole series of children's book illustrators who have produced hundreds of illustrated history books.
