Reflecting the author's exhaustive study of the building's fabric and archival sources, this well-illustrated, oversized volume (9.75x9.75") presents an in-depth description and analysis of the
huge palace on the Piazza Navona, in Rome, Italy, with detailed discussion of the palace's patronage, funding, developing architectural configuration and use. Leone (art history, Boston
College) documents the history of the building, discussing layout, decoration, control of surrounding features, including Bernini's Fountain of Four Rivers, and the implications in the planning
of the palace and piazza of papal propaganda and the promotion of his family. The roles of Pope Innocent X (the former Cardinal Pamphilj) and his patron Donna Olimpia in the formation of the
palace are central to the work. As is typical for this publisher, the volume presents solid scholarship, with a wealth of images in b&w and color plates of the best quality. Many
groundplans are included. Distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation 穢2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
