The first major excavations commenced in the 1700s and are still ongoing, as only a part of pompeii's historical treasures have been recovered from the pumice and volcanic ash. Mount vesuvius gave the city its life and powered the rise of many civilizations in campania, but it took back what it had given eight centuries later.

Pompeii is the world's largest archaeological and excavation site comprising 150 acres, being well preserved in a suspended time capsule of memorable events in the lives of its citizens. This book is an introduction into the city's origins, the daily activities of the people, details of the vesuvius eruption, excavations and discoveries, and future restoration plans for modern day pompeii.

In this book, you will also learn:

• Revolutionary discoveries and findings unveiled in archaeological excavations
• The politics, wars, and civilizations that formed the colorful cultural milieu of pompeii
• Personal stories of pompeiians that have survived to the present day
• How pompeii became one of the richest and wealthiest cities in the roman empire

This journal records my reflections on the process of the crafting of the novel as it evolved through the stages of planning, writing, editing and polishing. It constitutes an effort to be as conscious as possible of the process whereby the single idea that suggested the topic of the novel was expanded into a complex work of art. Topics range from the nuts and bolts of novel-building to the nature of the novel as an art-form.