Discussion of Ross King's Brunelleschi's Dome

Here are some questions to respond to in order to jump start our online discussion of King's book.

• In a book about architecture, how well did King explain the science, math, materials and engineering involved in creating this amazing dome?
• Were the illustrations appropriate companions to the text?
• Were they sufficient to clarify the complex engineering discussions?
  
• What reaction did you have to the center of King's book, Filippo Brunelleschi? To his accomplishments?
• How well does King back up his account? Did you ever feel like he was speculating too much? Did you find yourself looking for more details that weren't there? If so, where?
• What was your favorite invention in the book?
• How does this compare to previous books we've read in book club? [e.g., are there parallels to the building of the White City in Chicago? What difference does it make that we're reading about 500 years ago instead of 50 or 100 years?]
• What did you think of King's writing style?
• What was your reaction to the various discussions of daily life (e.g., the changing conceptions of time on p. 51)?
• What was your favorite moment of pettiness or feuding in the book?
• Anyone think the "Tale of the Fat Carpenter" was mean?
  
• What about King's use of historical context did you like or dislike most?
• What is the legacy of Brunelleschi's dome?
  

I would add that I really enjoyed this book, though I found myself overwhelmed at times with the engineering details. What did you think? Was this a good choice for our book club?

July Book Pick

Hello all,
Thanks to the large number of you who voted. It was a close vote, but the winner, by a nose, was Yokohama Burning: The Deadly 1923 Earthquake and Fire that Helped Forge the Path to World War II by Joshua Hammer

[Given how close Goodwin's Team of Rivals was, I'll plan on giving people a chance to vote for it again for our next meeting, probably in October.]

The other winner, in a less close vote, was Sunday, July 29 as our meeting day. We'll meet at 2 pm and probably on campus, given the general trend of the feedback I've received from various people. [We can meet in NOVA at a future date. Let me know if you're interested in hosting a meeting in Fredericksburg or Northern Virginia.]

Alright, get the book (check your local library too) and get reading.... I'll be in touch with the details of the meeting place as I get them together. [And don't forget that you can post questions or comments on the acebook group page (http://umw.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2357598417) or here on the blog.