The morning of August 24, AD 79, seemed like any other in the Roman city
of Pompeii. So no one was prepared when the nearby volcano Mount
Vesuvius suddenly erupted, spouting ash that buried the city and its
inhabitants. The disaster left thousands dead, and Pompeii was no more
than a memory for almost 1,700 years. In 1748, explorers rediscovered
the port city with intact buildings and beautiful mosaics. This
easy-to-read account is gripping and includes photos of the ruins.