Romanesque

This is a beautiful coffee table art book for sure, but it's also a terrific post-trip debriefing source that explains in greater depth what you've seen as a traveler and maybe didn't totally absorb at the time. This has been true, at least, for my family. While the text can be a little academic at times, it is wonderfully comprehensive on architectural history for the Romanesque periods of Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain. While the odds are that you won't find every beautiful church you saw on your trip and considered "comment worthy," most of the great Romanesque buildings are included in this work. The photos are also beautifully reproduced. If you're simply a student of architecture, this is a great addition to your library.

Excellent, a trully work of art. This book digs down into the core of the post-classic period of the plastic arts. A delightful and resourceful acquisition of any scholar artist or architect with interest in the origins of building forms, natural lighting, and a three-dimensional space.

As the holidays approach and you find yourself entertaining more at home, it's time to start thinking about a new book to add to your coffee table, or to toss under the tree of a fellow Italiaphile. "Romanesque" is not only a substantial book with beautiful pictures it's also a complete resource for understanding the building style most representative of the Middle Ages. As Romanesque architecture, art and sculpture is not restricted to Italy, this book also extends to show examples of this style from Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Great Britan, and even Scandinavia!

Although I am no great architectural authority, I love the Romanesque and have had the pleasure of visiting many churches while travelling in rural France. Like a 12th century pilgrim, I even made the journey to Compostela in Spain. This book, however, made me feel like I only scratched the surface -- what amazing (and uncelebrated) Romanesque buildings there are ALL OVER Europe! I am newly amazed at how diverse the Romanesque style can be. The author and photographer undertook a daunting project, documenting hundreds of structures (practically every building of note, it seems). The quality of this book is staggering -- you would think it should sell for a lot. But as detailed as some of the academic articles can be, the book is never dull or pedantic -- partly because the photography is so terrific and compelling. This book is magical. A GREAT bargain, a great gift, and highly recommended.

This is a large "coffee table" size book that covers the Romansque Period to an exhaustable amount. It covers architecture, scuplture, and paintings for the professional and the layperson. This book is a bargain at $39.98. Most books of this size and contents cost over $100.00. This book will make a wonderful gift or an great addition to any library.