Overview

From Toledo to Moscow and Stockholm to Seville, discover architectural gems and historical insights from the Sunday times bestselling author of Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations 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 1oo 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.

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9780241452639

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Reviews

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 This is a cracker . . . a beautiful book -- Chris Evans, on Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations However spectacular the book's photographs, it's the author's prowess as a phrase-maker that keeps you turning the pages * The Times, on Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations * An uplifting exploration of our social history * Guardian, on Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations *

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 An engaging mixture of personal recollection and grand narrative, this book introduces the reader to the astonishing variety and invention of Europe's cathedrals, from Albi to Wells. Concise accounts and beautiful images conjure up what are still, after centuries among the largest and most complex buildings ever built -- Ed Hollis, author of The Secret Lives of Buildings This is a thrilling book. Jenkins combines formidably wide knowledge with infectious enthusiasm for these medieval marvels. A joy -- Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the Earth

This is a cracker . . . a beautiful book -- Chris Evans, on Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations However spectacular the book's photographs, it's the author's prowess as a phrase-maker that keeps you turning the pages * The Times, on Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations * An uplifting exploration of our social history * Guardian, on Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations *

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 This is a thrilling book. Jenkins combines formidably wide knowledge with infectious enthusiasm for these medieval marvels. A joy -- Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the Earth Another masterly achievement by Simon Jenkins combining his inclusive vision and sharp focus, together with superb photographs, and all enlivened by his deeply felt personal perspective -- Richard Harries, author of Seeing God in Art In sparse but elegant prose Jenkins not only nails the must-see elements of these great religious treasure houses, he paints a historical and political backdrop against which they stand highlighted at the heart of our common cultural heritage -- Christopher Somerville, author of Britain's Best Walks

[A] feast of a book about the great cathedrals of Europe....His lively reactions make you long to visit or revisit these places. ..illuminating -- Ysenda Maxtone Graham * The Times * Expertly written...a lavishly illustrated and beautifully produced coffee-table sort of book... Jenkins's expertise and lively style shine forth ... as much a to-do list as a keepsake -- Greg Garrett * Spectator * 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 * This attractive book will inspire you to do more cathedral-crawling -- Christopher Howse * Telegraph *

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 This is a thrilling book. Jenkins combines formidably wide knowledge with infectious enthusiasm for these medieval marvels. A joy -- Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the Earth Another masterly achievement by Simon Jenkins combining his inclusive vision and sharp focus, together with superb photographs, and all enlivened by his deeply felt personal perspective -- Richard Harries, author of Seeing God in Art This is a cracker . . . a beautiful book -- Chris Evans, on Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations

Author Information

Simon Jenkins is author of the bestselling A Short History of England, A Short History of Europe, Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations, England's Thousand Best Churches and England's Thousand Best Houses. He is a former Editor of the Evening Standard and The Times, and columnist for the Guardian.

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