We asked our friends at the Arlington Public Library to inspire us with books from their collection, and what a compelling list they created! We hope it provides literary inspiration for your reading list, too. Literally, check them out:
Books for Adults inspired by Pompeii: The Immortal City
Adult Fiction
Pompeii: A Novel, Robert Harris
Popular thriller writer Harris (Enigma, 1995) sets his sights on one of the most famous natural disasters in history: the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. It starts innocently enough: two days before the eruption, Marcus Attilius Primus, the engineer in charge of the massive Aqua Augusta Aqueduct, is summoned to the estate of Ampilatus. He is in the process of executing a slave for killing his fish. Attilius finds sulfur in the water and immediately realizes the problem is bigger than a few dead fish. With the approval of the famous admiral Pliny, Attilius sails to Pompeii and treks to the heart of the Aqua Augusta at the base of Mount Vesuvius. Attilius discovers the blockage that threatens to deprive a large chunk of the empire of water, but he is also troubled by the strange natural occurrences that may portend something far more serious than a blocked water supply. With rich historical details and scientific minutiae, Harris vividly brings to life the ancient world on the brink of unspeakable disaster. (Reviewed October 15, 2003) ©2003 Booklist Reviews
In the Shadow of Vesuvius, Tasha Alexander
“In skillfully intertwined storylines from the dawn of the twentieth century and the heyday of the Roman Empire, Tasha Alexander’s bestselling series brings Lady Emily and her husband to Pompeii, where they uncover a recent crime in the ancient city. Some corpses lie undisturbed longer than others. But when Emily discovers a body hidden in plain sight amongst the ruins of Pompeii, she sets in motion a deadly chain of events that ties her future to the fate of a woman whose story had been lost for nearly two thousand years.”- Provided by Publisher
Adult Non-Fiction
Pompeii, Liz Sonneborn
True to its series title, Unearthing Ancient Worlds, this illustrated volume presents the long-buried world of Pompeii through a history of archaeological work. Sonneborn begins with a gripping, graphic description of Pompeii’s 79 CE destruction after Mount Vesuvius’ eruption buried the surrounding civilizations in lava. The bulk of the book, though, offers detailed accounts of the first archaeological discoveries of Pompeii’s treasures, in the eighteenth century. This is a focused title; archaeological work at Pompeii after 1800 is merely glossed over in a final chapter, and aspiring young archaeologists may wish for more coverage of how the field is currently practiced. Contemporary color photographs will help readers envision the sites today, though, while well-chosen artwork depicting the dangerous, historical digs will draw readers back to the sometimes dry but serviceable text. A time line, glossary, and further reading suggestions complete this unusual offering. ©2008 Booklist Reviews
Secrets of Pompeii: Everyday Life in Rome, Emidio De Albentiis
There are many pictorial studies of Pompeii but this is among the best. The beautiful photographs by the Foglias are well complemented by the erudite and interesting historical background provided by Albentis (art history, University of Perugia, Italy) The tour of Pompeii ranges from the public areas of the city with politics and trade, through temples, gymnasia, baths, theatres, shops and taverns, brothels and private homes ending with the most private of places, the tomb. The full-color illustrations display buildings, sculpture, mosaics, frescos and everyday objects, even the famous carbonized loaf of bread. The life of the citizens is reborn in this stunning book. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found, Mary Beard
At first glance, Pompeii indelibly impresses visitors as arrested in time, which is a popular conception challenged in this fine presentation of the ruined Roman city. Author of such interesting histories as The Roman Triumph (2007), Beard is a fount of vibrant information about Pompeii and the strands of its history preceding its volcanic burial in 79 CE. For one thing, Beard explains, Pompeii had existed for centuries previously, becoming a Roman town a relatively recent 150 years before Vesuvius erupted. As in other categories she explores, such as Pompeii s commerce or politics, Beard directs attention to Pompeii’s dynamics, detectable in archaeological traces of Pompeii’s pre-Roman period and in the city s political and religious connections to Rome and the wider Mediterranean world. Taking up the immensely evocative concrete evidence about Roman civilization discovered in Pompeii—including paintings, graffiti, advertisements, ritual and workaday objects, and even a merchant s account book—Beard underscores the busyness of the place, even as she cautions against speculative interpretations of such relics. Enthused and informed, Beard ably guides the actual or armchair visitor to Pompeii. ©2008 Booklist Reviews.
Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age, Annalee Newitz
The urban spaces glowingly brought to life in these pages weren’t lost, but rather declined or were abandoned, becoming stories and odd landmarks. Newitz speaks with many archaeologists and researchers who currently study the areas of Cahokia, Angkor, Pompeii, and Çatalhöyük. Their knowledge and enthusiasm are not only for the grand events of kings abandoning cities or catastrophic volcanic eruptions but also for the day-to-day details that bring the ancient world to life: decorations in the homes of Çatalhöyük, women who rented out shops and ran theater groups in Pompeii, farming and easily overlooked construction in Angkor, and gravel-covered public spaces in Cahokia where people experienced rituals as well as sporting events. But these cities ended. Newitz clearly draws parallels and lessons for the here and now from these once-vast settlements. We are not immune to natural disasters, political upheaval, and labor force abuses. What happens if cities become unlivable for too many? Highly recommended for anyone interested in that question and in what history can tell us about the possibilities for the future. Copyright 2020 Booklist Reviews.
Rome: A History in Seven Sackings, Matthew Kneale
Matthew Kneale uses seven of these crisis moments to create a powerful and captivating account of Rome’s extraordinary history. He paints portraits of the city before each assault, describing what it looked like, felt like, smelled like and how Romans, both rich and poor, lived their everyday lives. He shows how the attacks transformed Rome’sometimes for the better. With drama and humor he brings to life the city of Augustus, of Michelangelo and Bernini, of Garibaldi and Mussolini, and of popes both saintly and very worldly. He shows how Rome became the chaotic and wondrous place it is today. Rome: A History in Seven Sackings offers a unique look at a truly remarkable city. – (Simon and Schuster)
Ghosts of Vesuvius, Charles R. Pellegrino
Polyglot scientists and author Pellegrino continues his research into famous events of the past by applying forensic archaeology to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 and subsequent destruction of the thriving Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. He puts it into historical and geological context, and finds common features with the fall of the World Trade Center. (Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)
Books for Youth inspired by Pompeii: The Immortal City
Juvenile Fiction
Escape from Pompeii, Christina Balit
Tranio, like most Roman boys, likes to watch whatever is going on: tradesmen selling their goods, ships unloading their exotic cargoes, politicians making speeches in the forum. But one hot August day a very different scene unfolds. The ground begins to shake, the sky to darken. People run gasping for air. Heading for the harbor, Tranio and his friend Livia hide on a boat and witness one of the most terrifying moments in recorded history-the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of their beloved city, Pompeii. Christina Balit’s fictional tale is based on the latest research. With her dramatic illustrations and a historical note, this story makes an exciting introduction to a fascinating subject. (McMillan Palgrave)
I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79, Lauren Tarshis
During the infamous eruption of Mount Vesuvius, one boy struggles to escape. Can he survive the most devastating disaster of ancient times?
The Pirates of Pompeii, Caroline Lawrence
At a refugee camp following the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius which buried Pompeii, Flavia and her friends discover that children are disappearing and a very powerful citizen might be involved.
The Pompeii Disaster, Dan Gutman
In this explosive third installment of New York Times bestselling author Dan Gutman’s action-packed series, four thrill-seeking friends travel back in time to document one of the most devastating natural disasters the world has ever seen. Eccentric billionaire Miss Z is sending Luke, Julia, David, and Isabel on another mission back in time to capture one of history’s most important events. This time, the Flashback Four are headed to AD 79 to photograph the eruption of Mount Vesuvius! Can the Flashback Four get their photo and get back home before they become ancient history? With real photographs from Pompeii to help put young readers right in the action, plus back matter that separates fact from fiction, The Pompeii Disaster tells the story of one of the world’s most devastating natural disasters like you’ve never seen it before. (HARPERCOLL)
Paulina and the Disaster at Pompeii, Barbara Perez Marquez
Twelve-year-old Paulina is delivering bread to her new friend Fabia’s home when the air begins to fill with smoke and ash. Mount Vesuvius is erupting! Fabia’s father leaves to help fellow Pompeii residents evacuate, telling the girls to make their way to the port where they can board boats to escape. But Paulina cannot leave her family behind. The two girls make their way through the city, helping others where they can. Will they escape the volcano disaster and be reunited with their loved ones? Part of the Girls Survive Graphic Novel series, Paulina and the Disaster at Pompeii brings a defining historical even to life.
Juvenile Non-Fiction
Pompeii: Lost and Found, Mary Pope Osborne
Grades 2-4, younger for reading aloud: Christensen’s striking, original frescoes illustrate this lively introduction to Pompeii. Osborne begins by imagining what the Roman city’s residents were doing just before Mount Vesuvius’ ash buried the city. Later spreads chronicle archaeological discoveries and discuss how scientists form a picture of daily life from the objects, buildings, and artworks recovered from the magnificently preserved site. The theatrical account of the ancient citizens’ response to the disaster will bring children right into the history, as will the clear, succinct descriptions of how the people of Pompeii ate, bathed, shopped, and amused themselves. (Reviewed December 1, 2005, ©2005 Booklist Reviews)
Explore 360° Pompeii, Peter Chrisp
This oversize, slim volume offers a colorful, abundantly illustrated primer to ancient Pompeii’s fascinating history. Following a brief overview, spreads highlight the 79 CE Mount Vesuvius eruption that buried the city under ash, describe the nineteenth-century archaeological excavations, and then focus on Pompeii and Roman life pre-eruption, including architecture, daily life, government, and arts, as well as ongoing preservation issues. In browser-friendly, somewhat cluttered layouts, topics feature short introductions and captioned visuals of historical paintings, diagrams, computer-generated renderings, and photos of mosaics, ruins, and artifacts. Double gatefolds depict a Pompeian house exterior and Stabian Baths exercise area. Straightforward prose incorporates occasional Latin terms, which are defined in context, while sidebars and text boxes add literary quotations and facts, such as how the plaster casts of Pompeii’s victims were made in the nineteenth century. Though lacking pagination, an index, and formal informational source notes, there’s plenty to intrigue and engage those interested in Pompeii and early Roman times. An accompanying CD-ROM provides interactive, 3-D views of some of the book’s digitally re-created places and buildings. (Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews)
What was Pompeii?, Jim O’Connor
The morning of August 24, AD 79, seemed like any other in the Roman city of Pompeii. So no one was prepared when the nearby volcano Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted, spouting ash that buried the city and its inhabitants. The disaster left thousands dead, and Pompeii was no more than a memory for almost 1,700 years. In 1748, explorers rediscovered the port city with intact buildings and beautiful mosaics. This easy-to-read account is gripping and includes photos of the ruins. (Penguin Putnam)
Volcanoes: All True and Unbelievable!, Korynn Wible-Freels
Describes how volcanoes are formed, the different types of volcanoes, where they can be found, the damage caused by eruptions, and several famous volcanic eruptions of the past. (Baker & Taylor)
Volcano & Earthquake, Susanna Van Rose
“Witness the power of our restless planet to both create and destroy. Watch red-hot lava flow from an erupting volcano, see how earthquakes create tsunamis, and meet scientists past and present who have helped us understand our turbulent world.” (page 4 of cover)
