The Lost World of Pompeii (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum)

Since Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, the story of the lost city of Pompeii continues to intrigue the public. Discoveries at Pompeii and the nearby village of Herculaneum include elegant villas, whole rooms intact adorned with classical motifs and exquisite frescoes-as vivid as the day they were painted-as well as skillfully laid-out gardens. Excavations began in 1748 but halted from 1954-94. Today, new funding mean that parts of the site are being opened and recorded for the first time.

This book provides more than 150 new photographs by Chris Caldicott, Royal Geographic Society photographer-in-residence. Its covers such topics as the history of the city, the discovery of the remains, the town plan, the private life of Pompeii, Pompeii's design legacy, and the site today. Published in association with the World Monuments Fund, this lavish book offers readers a fresh and comprehensive exploration of Pompeii and Herculaneum.