This is historical fiction at its best.  Harris takes you back to Pompeii just a few short days before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.  When Misenum's aquarius (the person responsible for maintaining the aqueduct) disappears, Rome assigns Marcus Attilius, a young engineer, to Campania to command the great Aqua Augusta.  In the third month of a drought the aqueduct is showing signs of drying up - its failure would mean disaster.  Attilius travels to Pompeii where he believes the source of the problem to be.  Along the way things become dangerous when he uncovers a plot devised by his predecessor and a corrupt land owner to embezzle water.  This is the least of his problems.  When he makes a trek to Mount Vesuvius he realizes that the volcano is on the verge of eruption.  Harris brings to life the last days of Pompeii in what is a fast pace and enjoyable read.

Cynthia S.

Pompeii (Paperback)

By Robert Harris

$15.00

ISBN-13: 9780812974614
Availability: On Our Shelves Now - Call to Confirm
Published: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 11/2005

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