Cathedral: By the Author of The Way Things Work (Sandpiper)

Having just finished a great book called "Great Cathedrals", filled with 400 pages of jaw-dropping photographs, I kept wondering how in the world they could have built such marvelous edifices with rudimentary implements over 800 years ago. David Macaulay's "Cathedral" is a book ostensibly written for children but which will fascinate readers of all ages. In scarcely 80 pages, Macaulay takes us back in time to the year 1252 in the fictional French village of Chutreaux where the people decide to build the "longest, widest, highest and most beautiful cathedral in all of France" for the glory of God. Macaulay's text is minimal, but his exquisite black and white line drawings say it all: the step-by-step stages in the building's construction, the craftsmen and the tools they used, and the dedication that kept this project going for 80 years until its completion. We feel a sense of awe at the dedication of the original architects and craftsmen and builders who knew that they would be long dead before the cathedral was finally finished. Macaulay's glossary at the end of the book helps us to understand the major elements of the Gothic cathedral, and his cross-sections and diagrams provide clear illustration of just how the cathedral rose from its foundations. At the end of this volume, we share the awe and pride the townspeople felt at having shared a goal for over 80 years and making it a reality. Macaulay's "Cathedral" is a marvelous creation in more ways than one.

Having seen a number of European cathedrals, it is mind boggling to try to imagine how they were constructed by medieval people. This book uses beautifully detailed pen and ink drawings to show how it was done. The book goes step-by-step through the over 80 year process by which successive generations of the local citizens built a fictious French cathedral. All of the key aspects of the procedure are depicted, including designing the structure, obtaining materials, digging the foundation, building walls and flying buttresses for a ceiling over 100 feet high, casting and hoisting bells, and creating huge stained glass windows. This book is really not for children under about 10 years old--although people assume it is because it is illustrated and has text which can be read in under one hour. Given the complexity of the topic, it was just much easier to describe the process using drawings. If you are interested in how cathedrals were built, this is a great introduction.

I just received the book and DVD, and frankly, I read the book in about 30 minutes. It is a good, yet basic, overview of cathedral construction. As some reviews state, it might be less than you want, but there is enough in it, terminology and ideas of how these magnificent buildings were constructed.If you are looking for a novel, forget it, go to Ken Follet's series. But as a starting point to learn more about this wonderful history, by all means buy it. The sketches are beautiful and terrific, the text easily read. And now I can watch the DVD which I ordered also!

Great product! I received this as a gift from someone. I like church history and learned so much about how a cathedral was built!

I liked it a lot and want another one. Will send back 3 copies of "Notre Dame de Paris" which you sent me (I only ordered 2) and it was completely unintelligible. Will be in next mail delivery.I don''t have an address to send these three magazines back to and I really do want author copy of "Cathedral". How do I get that?

One of my absolute favorite books on medieval cathedral architecture. The author has a great way with words describing the construction of the great cathedrals & the multiple methods used. The illustrations also are quite impressive & demonstrate the author's points very well.

Students appreciate the content

I purchased this as a companion book for Pillars of the Earth, which my book club was reading. It was a great aid! I was able to visualize the buiding of the medieval cathedral and was able to identify much more of the action taking place in the novel. This is not an adult book; I would classify it as YA but it's a great reference for anyone who is trying to learn more about medieval architecture. There are several books in this series and all of them would be great teaching aids for anyone teaching children about the Middle Ages. The drawings are wonderful!

I got this picture book then I was 10 years old and it has been one of my favourite picture books. I still read if every time after visiting a Gothic cathedral! The explanatons and drawings are so excellent, they really match modern textbooks for students.I bought this as a present for another 10 year old, and I very much hope that they will like it as much as I do.The only downside: it is paperback, a little bit flimsy.

An amazing book. Although the used or good part, as described, did in fact have writing in it to a person dating to the 1970's. A bit embarrassing as I gave it as a gift to my father. Would have been helpful to mention.

Very sound in content; writen and drawn by someone who must have some hands-on experience in the building trades. A delight for old and young.

This book is of interest to anyone who has an interest in "How it was done". It will be a useful tool for all cathedral guides and leaders of school parties to our cathedrals. The book solves a lot of the mystery of medieval building work.

Xcellent