Friday, March 21, 2014

I Ordered a Book.....

from Amazon last week and when it arrived in my mailbox, the envelope looked good (although a bit large for the book) and there was no damage to it. So, imagine my surprise when I opened the envelope to find a paper-back book with damage to the spine, indicating severe folding at some point in the mailing process. The paper with all the details of the transaction was also damaged, in fact only about 1/3 of it was included in the envelope. 

I sent an email to Amazon and followed up with one to the seller, who responded quickly and offered to send another copy, which was used and heavily annotated. Since this copy is not so damaged as to prevent me from reading it, I said not to bother. 

After cleaning closets yesterday and this morning, I took "Brunellechi's Dome" (by Ross King) out onto the deck and reveled in the sunshine and warm breezes we were blessed with today.  I started reading, and I couldn't stop. That often happens with fiction books, but not with non-fiction. Perhaps it is because I have always had a love of architecture; when I read "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett it was the same - I simply couldn't put it down. This book is historically accurate, and has interesting stories about the artists and craftsmen who were working in Florence and other parts of Italy during the 1400's, when the dome was being designed and built.

Before we went to Italy in 2006, I had no deep interest in it, (even though I am married to a man who is part Italian) but after that visit, I can truthfully say it is a wonderful place and I would love to return, to see all the places we saw before and visit those we didn't. Those of you who have been fortunate enough to travel in Europe know the magnificence of the domed churches and cathedrals in every country, and especially in Italy. The domes are awe-inspiring marvels of engineering, which were built so long ago that we hardly can believe the abilities they had developed so well  (without computers and modern techniques!)

If you have any interest in these things, I suggest you read "Brunellechi's Dome."

9 comments:

Gilly said...

That sounds a fascinating book! Some of the church domes in Italy and Greece are really beautiful. You can get a vcery sore neck looking at them!

Just read your previous blog, and Judy, p[lease what is a congealed salad??? It sounds a bit odd to my UK ears!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

It sounds wonderful, Judy....I never got to Italy or a lot of other places in Europe, either. But I know exactly what you mean when you said, you had no real interest till you saw these places, In Person! I found that to be true for myself, as well in what little traveling I did do....

Granny Annie said...

Pretty crazy condition of the book from Amazon. Glad it was worth the read.

I just got so caught up in your previous post about the harp that I didn't pay attention to the "congealed" salad comment but after Gilly ask, I realized my assumption was that it is a Jello type salad. Then I had to look it up just to be sure and yes it is. Congealed salad isn't a description used much in these parts. Must be a fancy North Carolina expression:)

Celia said...

Sounds like a great book but mercy, someone must have dropped the van door on it.

MaR said...

But...you paid for a new book! Thanks for the tip, will check it out for my k?ndle!!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great book. I am a huge fan of Brunelleschi. He did some amazing work in Italy especially taking on the dome. I think he was one of the greatest engineers of all time.

Ginnie said...

Oh, you hit my soft spot Judy. my love of Italy and Tuscany. You may remember that I made it all the way to the top of the dome ...a very long staircase and I was with son (the architect) so he spent hours on the first landing and at the top etc.
I will definitely get the book. Thanks.

Pat said...

I wish I had included Florence in my travels.

sage said...

Most of the used books I've purchased via Amazon have been in good shape, but a few times... I have never been to Italy