Description

READERS OF EUROPEAN HISTORY WILL LOVE THIS BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED BOOK!

“Simon Jenkins has provided a feast for both eyes and mind in this sumptuously illustrated guide to Europe’s greatest cathedrals” John Barton, author of A History of the Bible

“As ever, Simon Jenkins is here the best sort of guide to some of Europe’s greatest buildings and their settings: well-informed, elegantly opinionated and passionate” Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years
__________________________

Europe’s cathedrals are magnificent. They outstrip palaces and castles. They are the most sensational group of structures anywhere in the world – which everyone should ‘see before they die’. They are also hugely popular, most of them absolutely packed. They are humankind’s greatest creations.

In Europe’s 100 Best Cathedrals, Simon Jenkins has travelled the continent – from Chartres to York, Cologne to Florence, Toledo to Moscow and Stockholm to Seville – to illuminate old favourites and highlight new discoveries. Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs throughout, this joyous exploration of Europe’s history tells the stories behind these wonders, showing the cathedral’s central role in the European imagination. Readers will be inspired to make their own pilgrimage to all one hundred of them.

Publisher Review

The architectural and artistic detail is rich, but intelligible to the non-specialist reader... At a time when European travel remains frustrating, the book occasionally makes salivating reading... this is a useful addition to the bookshelves of anyone who cares about architecture, and prompts one to reach for one's passport as swiftly as possible -- Simon Heffer * The Daily Telegraph * [T]his book fulfils a real need. Here are the masterpieces of western civilisation... Sir Simon does not pretend to be a scholar or a man of faith, but his passion for the subject is irresistible. After reading this book, those of all levels of understanding will be afire to go on architectural pilgrimage... No printed work could do more to evoke the wonders of these great buildings -- Kate Green * Country Life * Simon Jenkins has provided a feast for both eyes and mind in this sumptuously illustrated guide to Europe's greatest cathedrals. His Introduction, and description of the history and architecture of each cathedral, bring the living reality of these works of art into sharp and vivid focus -- John Barton, author of A History of the Bible As ever, Simon Jenkins is here the best sort of guide to some of Europe's greatest buildings and their settings: well-informed, elegantly opinionated and passionate in his feelings for his subject. Set out on your European travels expecting to be entertained as well as informed -- Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years