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attained if Jufre-Garcia had collaborated with historians focusing on Renaissance technology in Spain. Antoni Roca-Rosell, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – Barcelona Tech
Ignacio González Tascón and Isabel Velásquez. Ingeniería romana en Hispania. Historia y técnicas constructivas. Madrid: Fundación Juanelo Turriano, 2005. Pp. 542. j50. Ignacio González and Isabel Velázquez take the reader on a journey through time and space as they describe Roman engineering in Hispania. First, they show and explain a large number of materials and works, and then define over 1,500 Latin terms to their topic. After a brief history of Hispania, the authors’ first chapters provide examples and narratives of authorities in ancient architecture, such as Vitruvius, pointing out the development of materials and construction techniques. Subsequent chapters concern the planning and building of numerous works; from roads, their pavements and wells to aqueducts, ports and domes. However, this is not a kind of catalogue. Rather the authors write with a smooth and pleasant pen, which is well illustrated in their description of the technical importance of the keystones to make sturdier arches, as well as in their explanation of the development and application of concrete and other materials. Moreover, the author’s take the reader on a trip, if you will, from one city to another, where seeing these works permits one to know something about everyday life, as well as the economic and political configuration of Hispania. They reveal the existence of specialized technicians who met the different needs of Hispania. For example, they offer a careful description of the steps needed to perform a hydraulic work which includes location of sources, the design of methods to deal with topography and distance, concern for the durability of the structure and, if the water was intended for human consumption, the purity of the liquid. Thus, Roman engineering is reflected in this book not only through their material works, but also equally through durable prints that act as words. The Latin terms that accompany the reading help us to know the names of ancient cities and workers at each stage of construction. There is a very large glossary of people and their activities in civil engineering, the entries of which are, in most cases, accompanied by a quotation in Latin and Spanish that illustrates more about the use. This study is supported by direct observation, review and analysis of material remains and an extensive bibliography of ancient narratives and contemporary studies. The photographs and other images are of high qual-
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ity; however, they could have broader notes. Finally, I think the book would be better if the historical overview were integrated into the main text and not as a separate chapter in the beginning. María Elena Ramírez, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico
A. M. Bernal, A. Florencio Puntas, R. M. Madrid Calzada and J. I. Martinez Ruiz. Ingenieria Industrial en Andalucía. La labor de AICIA (1982–2007). Sevilla: Association for Research and Industrial Cooperation of Andalucía, 2007. Pp. 228. j10. This book was written in the context of the AICIA’s celebration of its 25th anniversary. AICIA, the Asociación de Investigación y Cooperación Industrial de Andalucía ‘Francisco de Paula Rojas’, is a research institution created, in 1982, to encourage the establishment and development of a firm and extended relationship between the academic and the industrial worlds. According to Javier Aracil, author of the prologue and member of the committee in charge of the commemorations, the aim of the book is to support debate on the achievements of AICIA by giving readers an historical perspective of the role played by industry and industrial engineers in Andalucía’s economy. Antonio-Miguel Bernal, who coordinated this four author volume, reaffirms the same goal in his presentation. Although the title may point to a very contemporary and focused approach (AICIA, 1982–2007), the book presents a longue-durée perspective, going back to the middle of the 19th century. In fact, four out of the six chapters deal with the time span of 100 years from around 1850 to 1950. Based on a strong collection of data and information, sometimes a little too dense, the authors raise a set of questions, which interests particularly historians (coming from different subfields, but mainly Economic History, Industrial History and History of Technology), but also interests some sectors of the general public. As stated by the authors, there are a few studies available on the industrial context of Andalucía and almost nothing on the topic of local industrial expertize. From both an Iberian and European perspective, this theme is of extreme relevance: on the one hand, it complements the more widespread studies of successful industrial regions such as Catalonia and the Basque Country; on the other, it establishes a very fruitful comparison with the Portuguese case, which shares some of the main characteristics of Andalucía. These are industrial breakthroughs that prevailed over a steady and continuous industrialization process, excessive dependence on foreign expertize and machinery, a weak economy, and a particularly feeble industrial sector.