BRUNELLESCHI’S DOME

The fifteenth-century Italian who invented a new way to build domed roofs, thus inventing a large portion of Renaissance architecture, was an ill-tempered clock-maker. As Ross King and narrator Richard Matthews make clear, however, Filippo Brunelleschi was also a fascinating genius. King does an excellent job of imbuing a story of inventive engineering with the history, culture, and personalities of the time. Matthews builds on this with a thoughtfully paced, involved narration. He reads with a rhythm and inflection that enliven the interesting, though dialogue-free, nonfiction. His pleasant voice is also warmed by an inviting humor that dramatizes the operatic complexities of Florentine life. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 06]