Vesuvius: The Most Famous Volcano in the World

Wonders of the World

by Gillian Darley

For Greeks and Romans Vesuvius was a fearsome sacred place. Spartacus launched his slave rebellion from its crater. The Enlightenment brought the serious study of the phenomenon of volcanic activity. Its famous visitors included Goethe and Mozart, Byron and the Shelleys, Madame de Stael and Lady Hamilton. Painters popular and serious (from Wright of Derby to Andy Warhol) made its exploding or dormant outline an instantly recognisable icon.

Vesuvius has remained a focus for tourism and modern life. At the last big eruption in 1944 the Allied forces assumed they were witnessing the detonation of an immense bomb. Rampant modern development means that millions could be at risk when it next erupts. As Dickens said, Vesuvius is 'the genius of the scene ... biding its terrible time'.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Nature, Science, Italy, Geology, Travel

245 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2011

Reviews

[Charles Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this pocket compendium on all things Vesuvian so I would have mildly interesting reading matter while waiting for Metro trains and buses. I had visited the area in 1997 to see the effects of the eruption in 79 AD that buried Pompeii and Herculanum. This book told me much more about that famous eruption, and all subsequent eruptions, including the equally famous 1944 eruption during the Allied invasion of Italy. The book describes in detail the scientists and others who came to Naples to study and observe the volcano and the various ways its was depicted in every media imaginable: notebook sketches, journals, paintings, panoramas, recreations, theme parks, photographs, plays, books, and film. The area around Vesuvius is all built up again, and the possibilities for another volcanic holocaust are ripe.

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

blurb - Dormant since 1944, but still a potential threat to those who live at its foot, Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the European mainland. In AD 79 thousands perished whilst fleeing the lava's path, hit by what is known as a pyroclastic surge, during which a hurtling jet of gas, carrying along the detritus of the eruption, at immense speed and horrifyingly high temperatures simply incinerated everything in its path. It was, in effect, a horizontal H-bomb and thousands perished.

Amongst the volcano's victims was Pliny the Elder, and on hand to record events was his nephew, Pliny the Younger. He wrote that the devastation was so complete that the inhabitants of Naples 'besought the aid of the gods, but still more imagined there were no gods left, and that the universe was plunged into eternal darkness for evermore.'

As the belief in the power of the gods gave way to Christianity, medieval Neapolitans adopted a patron saint, Saint Januarius, to defend them from the terrible ferocity of Vesuvius' power. The success of Januarius, (or San Gennaro to the Neapolitans), depended on the miraculous liquefaction of phials of his (allegedly) dried blood. He came into his own during the violent eruption of 1631, when he apparently intervened to halt the volcano's lava just short of the city.

After that, a whole chapel was given over to the cult of the saint. His head was placed by the altar along with the phials of his blood and a series of priests rocked slowly to and fro for hours, if not days. From them on, the inhabitants of Naples placed their entire faith in Januarius to save them from the volcano's fury.

With additional readings by Simon Tcherniak. Abridged by Olivia Seligman.



Producer: Olivia Seligman A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.

Nothing new brought to the table here.

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars or three. Can't decide. This book is just packed with information -- much of it of great interest -- and many suggestions for further reading. It's hard to fault Darley. She's a good writer and is amazingly thorough. But the truth is that I got bogged down in the details. It just felt like too much. At times, I slowed my pace and enjoyed it. At other times, I was tempted to skim along. I did like it and learned a lot. I read this in preparation for an ascent of Vesuvius, coming up in 3 months. Overall, I'm glad to have found this little treasure.

[Dan Vine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is generally readable and certainly informative but I was distracted by some odd turns of phrase (for example an overuse and sometimes misuse of the word 'ironically') and odd claims (Alma-Tadema a "hyperrealist"?)

[Michelle Birkby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book about the literature and history and stories that surround Vesuvius

[hh · Rating 3 out of 5]

darley has an excellently readable style and covers all the major ground from literary to historical to trivial information on vesuvius. she most brilliantly captures the crazes and souvenirs that grow up around european fascination with the site and vulcanology in general. a quick and lovely read, something i would probably go back to if i had a chance to visit naples.

[Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Missable and forgettable.

[Kirsty Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another kindle bargain. An occasionally slow read but generally interesting - who knew volcano's could be so instumental in the beginnings of the travel industry.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, if a little too focused on the British.