An entertaining combination of travel guide, history, and polemic. -- Francis X. Rocca * Wall Street Journal * [ A] compact but comprehensive course, intended for sophisticated history buffs and travelers Watkin embarks on a detailed tour of the place Systematic, knowledgeable, and even enthusiastic: just the formula to completely engage the reader wanting to know more about ancient Rome. -- Brad Hooper * Booklist * For a walk through the Forum both in space and history, choose David Watkins The Roman Forum There are many books on Rome, but few as deeply urbane. -- Tom DEvelyn * Providence Journal * [ A]n incisive and insightful history of the Forum[ that] deftly illuminates the fascinating changes that this once sacred space has undergone in the last millennium, and argues that our modern perception of the Forum, dictated by archaeological pursuits, tends to obscure those aspects of the Forum that are truly impressive. Watkins workis clearly a labor of love; his sincere appreciation for the Forum and for classical architecture at large is evident, and his expertise helps render an easily navigable portrait of the Forum in four dimensions. -- Michael Patrick Brady * PopMatters * [ You should] race to add the newly released Roman Forum and Piazza San Marco to your collection The well-illustrated little book[ is] an ideal stocking stuffer for those who take their architecture with a solid dose of intellectual rigor. Be sure to pick up the entire set yourself. -- Aaron Britt * Dwell *
