By examining Pompeii’s unearthed remains, Beard hopes to show us what the average day in Pompeii looked like at every level of society. Each chapter covers a different aspect of life in Pompeii, from home décor to relationships. The Fires of Vesuvius is divided into nine chapters. This unusual level of preservation in Pompeii fascinates Beard, allowing her to immerse herself fully in the life and soul of the city. Beard notes that the city of Pompeii and its inhabitants are so well preserved that archaeologists can make out details ranging from their final movements to their facial expressions. Once the lava hardens, everyone and everything caught in its path are preserved underneath the hardened rock. The lava is so hot that it turns everyone to stone as it spreads through the city. During this time, Mount Vesuvius erupts and takes the city with it. The Fires of Vesuvius covers what happens to Pompeii in August 79 AD. She is one of the UK’s best-known classicists and the author of numerous nonfiction books. Beard is the Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge and she is a Newnham College fellow. The book won the 2009 Wolfson History Prize, and critics praise it for its comprehensive insight into this lost city. First published in 2008, the book delves into Pompeii’s forgotten past to explore what the city was truly like before Mount Vesuvius destroyed it in 79 AD. The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found is a work of historical nonfiction by Winifred Mary Beard.
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