This captivating book explores the lives of the ordinary people of Pompeii and Herculaneum the two cities on the Bay of Naples that were buried by the catastrophic volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The plaster-cast bodies of the victims are the most vivid shocking reminders of the horrific event that made Pompeii famous, but who were these men, women and children so cruelly frozen in time? Exploring striking new discoveries and over 200 sensational artefacts, the author brings the inhabitants of Pompeii and Herculaneum back to life from the ashes and ruins of their own homes.

Claude Debussy (1862-1918) was a great harmonic innovator and one of the most original musical voices of the twentieth century. He created fresh, new tonal perspectives without abandoning tonality itself. With a revolutionary sense of instrumental colour and a fleeting, atmospheric sound world, he is often described, rightly or wrongly, as an 'Impressionist' composer. This book presents a clear narrative history of Debussy's life, work and cultural context along with essential reference material and striking illustrations, making it a vital purchase for anyone interested in the composer.