Rome
by HBO
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Category: Book
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Book Summary Information
Author: HBOEdition: Hardcover
Published: 2007-10-01
ISBN: 1595910425
Number of pages: 128
Publisher: DK ADULT
Book Reviews of Rome
Book Review: Rome
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed the HBO/BBC series Rome when it first aired in 2005, and so I decided to purchase this book in the hope it might shine a light on the TV show's production - after all, it had been the most expensive television program ever made.
It is very much a hardcover coffee table book, in that it's very glossy and full of colour photographs. Sadly though, just like most coffee table books it is completely lacking in content. Very little information is given on the making of the show, or even of the history of Republican Rome at this period.
After two brief introductions by Bruno Heller (the show's creator) and Jonathan Stamp (the historical consultant), the book then develops into a short episode guide. Similar episode synopsis are available on the HBO website, and the photographs provided in these sections are also similar to those found on the internet.
These episode synopses are also rather pointless given that there is also an episode guide in the very last section of the book.
That said there are a few interesting parts halfway through the book. One section looks at the various costumes used throughout the series, especially the togas, armour and clothes worn by the patrician women. Each section has around two paragraphs dedicated to them.
There are a few errors made here and there (for instance, the 'Montefortino' helmet is incorrectly labelled), but these errors are trivial and don't really affect the book.
The most interesting and original part of the book is provided towards the last sections, when the authors discuss the sets at Cinecitta in Rome. This part shows some of the original "set-dressing" sketches, and you can see how the show's sets were first devised. I only wish these sections had provided more written information - but the photographs are stunning.
This book is very beautiful to look at, but I still can't help thinking it lacks content. I was hoping that it might provide at least some information on the making of the show or at least a little on Roman history, but it seems that the documentaries on the DVDs provide more information in that regard.
That said, it is probably a must have collector's item for any fan of the series.
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