Basilica: The Splendor and the Scandal: Building St. Peter's

The World's Greatest Chruch

I have been to St. Peters Basilica myself. As a boy I was fascinated by it. I've done the research, read countless books on the great artists who served as architects, even sketched it, and while I've been fascinated with it all my life I've never been able to translate my wonder to anyone without myself either going overboard or boring them to tears. However, this author makes it simple and understandable. She neither glosses over the poisonous Popes who were failures, nor does she cover up the enormous mistakes that led to the schism between Catholic and Protestant faiths. Instead what she does manage to tell is how a church the length of 2 football fields that took over a century to build came into being at all. It could have been a tremendous failure (and it very nearly did) but what happened instead made it a glory to God and a marvel of man. If you want a simple read that's thorough and fun you need to try this out.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This looks like a good book!

From tthe front,it looks like good,interesting book

Ok, but there are better opportunities to learn!

Nothing special about this book.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Basilca is more than a building but a development

An excellent read and has led me to look into other works by R. A. Scotti. Far from a heavy read, it is light and even suspenseful.

History Painted in Vivid Colors

I just finished Basilica: The Splendor and The Scandal-Building St.Peters and I must say I am struck by how rich with detail and personality it was. It has been my experience that books of this vain tend to be cold and rather hard to get through, but not this one. The intimacy with which Scotti talks about each pope and artist brings them so clearly to life that you do not want to stop reading. I would recomend this book to anyone looking for a rich read. Scotti has found the perfect balance of architectural history and personal drama. I understand now what makes some books page turners.

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