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Wayne Kalayjian
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Saving Michelangelo's Dome: How Three Mathematicians and a Pope Sparked an Architectural Revolution Hardcover – March 5, 2024

by Wayne Kalayjian (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 21 ratings
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In 1742, when the legendary dome atop St. Peter’s Basilica—designed by Michelangelo—cracks and threatens to collapse, Pope Benedict XIV summons three mathematicians whose groundbreaking ideas spark a revolution in the world of architecture.

1742: the famous dome atop Saint Peter’s Basilica, designed by Michelangelo, is fractured and threatened with collapse. The dome is the pride of Italy and the largest of its kind anywhere in the world. And no one knows how to fix it.

This engaging and colorful narrative tells the overlooked story of how Michelangelo’s Dome was saved from disaster by three mathematicians and Pope Benedict XIV, who had asked them for help. It is a gripping story of decisive leadership, crisis management, and scientific innovation, and the resistance that was faced when sailing into the headwinds of conventional thought.

In Saving Michelangelo's Dome, Stanford-trained engineer Wayne Kalayjian illustrates how new ideas in science and mathematics established an entirely new way of looking at the world—as well as solving its complex problems. In the end, readers will appreciate that in saving Michelangelo’s Dome from collapse, these three mathematicians and one determined pope unknowingly invented the profession of engineering as we practice it today. With it, they transformed the architectural world and ushered in generations of future buildings and structures that, otherwise, would never have been built.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Pegasus Books
  4. Publication date
    March 5, 2024
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1639365869
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1639365869
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Praise from Sarah Hart

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Editorial Reviews

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"A fast and engrossing read. Kalayjian keeps suspense in his entertaining story." -- The New York Journal of Books

"A marvelous tale, full of vivid characters whom Kalayjian portrays with gusto. Kalayjian has a deft hand at describing both the thrilling cultural currents animating 18th-century Italy, from Newtonian physics to neoclassical art, and the colorful individuals who provided the convivial fizz for that effervescent culture." -- The American Scholar

“Meticulous and illuminating. Kalayjian’s narrative propulsively blends a chronicle of one of the world’s most famous architectural achievements with the story of the birth of modern engineering.” -- Publishers Weekly

“Civil and structural engineer Kalayjian narrates the design, construction, and eventual repair of the dome atop St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Alongside the narration of political and personality conflicts, there’s significant information about the engineering behind the construction and restoration of the dome. An accessible book about the history of the dome that sparked an architectural revolution.” -- Library Journal

"An intriguing look at how an iconic structure came to be, and the challenges that arose in the years that followed. Kalayjian weaves an intricate story at the intersection of engineering, mathematics, politics, and religion.” -- Rome Agrawal, structural engineer and author of Nuts and Bolts and Built: The Hidden Stories Behind Our Structures

"Telling the story of how Enlightenment-thinking solved a Renaissance problem, Wayne Kalayjian illuminates the beginning of modern engineering in clear, readable prose—and reminds us that progress requires open-minded commitment from those in power." -- Paul Wobert Walker, author of The Feud That Sparked the Renaissance: How Brunelleschi and Ghiberti Changed the Art World

“A diverting look at how the challenges of dome-building laid the groundwork for the emergence of engineering as a scientific discipline.” -- Sarah Hart, author of Once Upon a Prime: The Wondrous Connections between Mathematics and Literature

"Ever-enlarging cracks in the dome of St. Peter’s threaten its collapse. This is the compelling tale of those who confronted the danger and the fascinating story of the brilliant mathematicians who rescued it. In the best sense, this is history told as story, as important today as when those dangerous cracks first appeared in the sixteenth century.” -- William E. Wallace, author of Michelangelo, God's Architect

"Wayne Kalayjian turns a little-known story of architecture, mathematics, and engineering into an engaging and suspenseful tale of scientific pioneers working on the boundaries of knowledge. Told with clarity and insight, the story features a compelling cast of popes, architects, mathematicians—all working to save one of the world’s greatest buildings.” -- Ross King, author of Leonardo and the Last Supper and Brunelleschi's Dome

About the Author

Wayne Kalayjian is a civil and structural engineer who has designed bridges, buildings, tunnels, airports, pipelines, railroads, data centers, and power stations around the world. Kalayjian lectures at the University of Southern California and is an engineering expert for the California Department of Consumer Affairs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and art history from Tufts University, a master’s degree in structural engineering from Stanford University, and a master’s degree in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This is his first book.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pegasus Books (March 5, 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639365869
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639365869
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.29 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

About the author

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Wayne Kalayjian

Wayne Kalayjian
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I'm a civil and structural engineer who has designed and built all kinds of buildings, bridges, and tunnels around the world. Of them all, my most memorable was bringing an historic lighthouse out of harm's way and into safety while guarding an eroding bluff on Cape Cod National Seashore. Readers will find that my book, "Saving Michelangelo's Dome," features a similar sense of drama, daring, and uncertainty -- as well as a colorful cast of characters -- which make the world of construction so compelling.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
21 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

William A. Turner
5.0 out of 5 stars Cracks and Creativity
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
Verified Purchase
Wayne Kalayjian took pains to write in a very accessible way about the nascent hard sciences that were brought to bear on the repair of severe cracks that threatened the famous dome of St. Peter’s basilica in Rome.

Throughout the journey, Kalayjian blesses his readers with character sketches of the personalities involved. Three mathematicians, notable in their own individual right, collaborate to propose a novel and creative solution. A naysayer who doesn’t trust new ideas. The supportive and influential scientist. My favorite profile was of Luigi Vanvitelli, a Vatican architect. You’ll also witness the rise of erudite Pope Benedict XIV and the heights achieved by a scaffolding genius. Kalayjian’s net is indeed cast wide with cameo appearances by well known innovators as well as those whose names are more obscure.

As the story unfolds Kalayjian pauses briefly to explain and describe higher level technical terms so the lay person can catch up to the more sophisticated reader.

Along with wonderful photographic plates, Kalayjian has drawn an elegant graphic timeline depicting the events in his book.

To his credit, Kalayjian used primary sources, often written in a non-native tongue, to weave together this previously untold story. Somewhere in his extensive notes the reader will discover the notion of “papal rabies.”

I look forward to Kalayjian’s next effort. Perhaps it’ll cover some other Italian mystery or maybe he’ll capture the story of a more modern innovation. Whatever story he chooses, I’ll be first in line to buy and devour it.
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Lorinda Hines
5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing, informative and easy to read
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
As a history and art lover, I wanted to read this book. I found this book to be exceedingly interesting. And I learned so much history of the development of math, science and engineering—so easy to understand with the way the author told the story. I have a new appreciation for architectural wonders—especially for Michelangelo’s Dome. Next time I’m in Rome, I will look at it with new eyes. My brother is headed there this summer. I just purchased another copy for him to read before he climbs the dome. Thank you, Wayne Kalayjian, for enlightening me.
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Jonathan A. Titus
5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding story of architecture, engineering, science, and history
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024
Verified Purchase
I recommend this book highly to readers interested in architecture, engineering, science, and history all told in an easy-to-read style. I didn't want to put this book aside, even for meals. You'll discover the birth of new architectural techniques as well as the start of the industrial revolution. I was also interested in the lives of the people involved. They don't simply appear, do their work, and disappear. Well researched and full of interesting information.
One person found this helpful
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Jane
5.0 out of 5 stars So convenient
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2024
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Great book so easy to get through Amazon
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Benjiman Godbout
5.0 out of 5 stars Art history comes alive in this riveting exploration of St. Peter's Basilica's iconic dome
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2024
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Saving Michelangelo's Dome is not just a book; it's a journey, a conversation, and a celebration of art, history, and friendship. Wayne Kalajian has crafted a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of time, inviting readers to join him on an unforgettable expedition through the ages.
5 people found this helpful
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Reese
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazed
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2024
St P Dome is unrivaled and its construction
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