The Canals of Venice

Children's Literature

The "Building History" series for young adults examines the relationship between architectural structures and the history of the people who built them. The author of this book begins with the founding of Venice in A.D. 421 as a refuge from the barbaric hoards from the north after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Since the city is built on a number of small islands in a marshy lagoon, it was almost impossible for the invaders to reach it. The reader is informed about how the Venetians learned the special construction techniques to sustain buildings in the boggy soil. There is detailed information on some of the buildings in the center of the city including the Cathedral of St. Mark, the Arsenale, and the Palazzo. The author ends with a discussion of the structural problems facing the modern city. The prose is lively and informative. At the end of the book are notes, a glossary, resources for further reading, a bibliography and an index. This book is highly recommended for middle and secondary students who are doing research on Venice or on architectural styles. 2004, Gale/Lucent, Ages 12 up.
—Kathy Egner, Ph.D.