1 comments about The Age of the Cathedrals: Art and Society, 980-1420.

1. Now, don't get me wrong, this book is a very serious scholarly work packed with facts and dates, notes and references. However, according to the author -renowned French historian and member of the Académie Française Georges Duby, who died in 1996- History should be considered, and worked as, a literary genre. And hence his care with vocabulary and narration, his pains to characterize the frame of mind of those who populated the age he was a specialist in: the European Middle Ages. This book is maybe his most significant contribution to understanding the artistic heritage of those years, and he certainly succeeds with it in making us grasp some of the feelings and visions of the world that are behind some of the most striking monuments ever made by men: the gothic cathedrals.
   
   Duby's aim is, as usual, to explain through carefully crafted narration how the society that erected such awe-inspiring monuments behaved and tried to understand itself; how cathedrals are a product of it, and also which were the powers that guided that society. But although some representatives of those powers (church and monarchy) may have been wholly convinced that Cathedrals where ultimately monuments to their glory, Duby shows us throughout the pages of this wonderful book how the architects and the workers, the masons, the servants, the monks, but also the priests and nobles, artists and scholars, contributed with their work and their blood, to make cathedrals maybe the most astounding homage to the power of Life, with its terror and its beauty.
   
   Terror is what you will find at the very beginning of the book(in the year 1000 approx.): the terror of living in the wild forested land that then was Western Europe, trying to scratch a living out of the unyielding land, trying to survive and understand the scourge of terrible plagues or murderous invasions that decimated the few and scattered settlings. The amazing pungency of this beginning totally catches us (who probably expected an arid compilation of dates and battles) unawares and takes us from the basest level of medieval society (especially that of France) up through different layers to the powers that governed lives and souls and who decided where and when one of these fabulous temples should be erected.
   
   Even if you are not a catholic or Christian, even if you are an atheist, when you walk into one of these striking temples you can't help but notice -at ground level, near your feet- how there are numerous tombs of kings, priests, powerful people, that will make you think about the unavoidable mystery and darkness of death; how higher up there are paintings and works of art depicting good and evil, the fights and the fears, the knowledge and redemption to be sought and found throughout life; and when you raise your eyes to the stained-glass windows and the soaring spires....the wonder and the bliss, the whole power of Life.
   
   So, if you are considering a visit to one of these greatest of human works of art, the gothic cathedrals of Western Europe, this is the book to read, or even take with you. But even if this is not the case, I recommend you to read it. You will see a whole society creating, with their work and effort, with their minds and hearts, with their very blood, one of the greatest, best homages to Life: to the sheer awe and terror of it, and the sheer wonder and beauty of it.
   
   (In memory of Bob Zeidler. To the friend I would have liked to have, who died on April 2 2005)

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1 comments about Goodwood: Art and Architecture, Sport and Family.

1. The trivia and gossip is really interesting but a bit to much...the book flows well...but...,again, no quick read. If you have any interest in aristrocratic families or the Blue Blood british, then you will love this book. The photos are excellent but not enough. I expected a book about the art collections. In conclusion, very expensive.

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5 comments about Easy Country: A New Approach to Country Style.

1. This is my fav of all time design book (and I adore design books and mags.) The design theme is easy to understand, personalize and carry into your home affordably. The style is truly breathtaking in how lovely and how perfectly unfussy. And that's the balance. She's a design genious and the photography is stunning!



2. Excellent book. The examples of interiors are easy to imitate in your own home. The quilts and valances depicted are easily obtained: one can just go out and buy this stuff anywhere. The "clean country" style is very comfortable and easy to maintain. None of that impractical designer fru-fru stuff here.



3. I spent my early years in PA Dutch country, and this book spring's forth that rustic, well-thought-out, simple, quiet, comfortable, country look. The soft colors, lack of clutter, simple collections, and throwback to an older Americana time is a breath of fresh air, particularly since I've lived in mega-metropolises since leaving the country way of life.

   If you're looking for decorating ideas, this book would be wonderful for that cabin-ish/barn-ish/rustic-chic look. There are many contemporary photos, yet the flea-market, year's past look is throughout. You'll love the look if you like a mix of old and new. If you do, this is one of the best, most inspiring old country books I've seen.

   I own many decorating books, and this one has prompted me to soon return to a quieter way of life, back in PA. If I can be inspired to leave the theatre, museums and fine-dining for a local-diner way of life, then this book's a keeper. The unbelievably low price makes this book a must for country affictionadios.




4. I adore this book. There is not a single page that does not inspire. The look is clean, uncluttered but with personality. I've used it as inspiration for a condominium redo, and have given copies as a gift to friends, all of whom love it.



5. For those of us who fell in love with "Fabrications" this proved to be a big let down! The cold sparse presentation was unrewarding. Some of the historical backround was informative. However, that was not my reason for purchasing the book and I will probably be returning it. Besides, I have always been under the impression that "Country decor" was what ever the individual made it to be.

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