Religious sites / Holy or sacred places Books
HarperCollins Publishers A History of Jerusalem
Book SynopsisA History of Jerusalem should be read, not only by travellers and potential travellers in Jerusalem, but by all of us.' Stephen Tummin, Daily TelegraphJerusalem has probably cast more of a spell over the human imagination than any other city in the world.Held by believers to contain the site where Abraham offered up Isaac, the place of the crucifixion of Christ and the rock from which the prophet Muhammed ascended to heaven, Jerusalem has been celebrated and revered for centuries by Jews, Christians and Muslims. Such is the symbolic power of this ancient city that its future status poses a major obstacle to a comprehensive regional peace in the Middle East.In this comprehensive and elegantly written work, Karen Armstrong traces the turbulent history of the city from the prehistoric era to the present day.Trade Review‘A wonderful book: wise and compassionate, lucid and intelligent, balanced and fair.’William Dalrymple ‘A triumph’Ian Gilmour, London Review of Books ‘Splendid … essential reading for Jews, Christians and Muslims alike.’ John Ash, Washington Post ‘Deftly told … Armstrong is a knowledgable guide, and this is a sober and articulate tour of a complex subject and a city where, as she puts it, history is a dimension of the present.’ James Owen, Literary Review
£13.49
Yale University Press The History of Englands Cathedrals
Book SynopsisThe first history of all the English cathedrals, from Birmingham and Bury St Edmunds to Worcester and York MinsterTrade Review“A fascinating and detailed description of the historical development of the English cathedral from the arrival of Christianity in A.D. 314 until the present day.”—Joan Greatrex, Catholic Historical Review“Delightful. . . . A history of English cathedrals as living institutions as well as architectural monuments.”—Peter Atkinson, Journal of Ecclesiastical History“Magisterial. . . . Charts the remarkable voyage of cathedrals during their 1700-year history.”—Michael Tavinor, Church Times“A masterful narrator of the Cathedral story. . . . Cathedrals stand as shrines to the beauty of human creation, beauty as yet unsurpassed. To their survival we should all be dedicated.”—Simon Jenkins, Country Life“The Cathedrals of England are institutions older than the realm itself, and are perhaps more cherished and flourishing now than they have ever been, as this richly enjoyable volume makes clear. There can be no-one better qualified than Nicholas Orme to present the full range of their long history.”—Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of A History of Christianity“Clear, accessible, and superbly illustrated, this book should be essential reading for visitors to English cathedrals. The book has no rival in serious and accessible literature. Anyone interested in cathedrals should have it on their shelves.”—David Rollason, author of The Power of Place
£19.00
Headline Publishing Group Steeple Chasing
Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times paperback bestseller and Waterstones Non-Fiction Book of the Month*Featuring a brand new chapter!*''Never have the joys of exploring the churches and cathedrals of this country been so vividly conveyed as they are in this engaging and elegiac book.'' - New Statesman **BOOK OF THE YEAR pick 2023**''A delicious treat'' - Financial Times **TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR pick 2023**''A charming odyssey'' - The Times''A wonderful book; thoughtful and challenging'' - Daily Telegraph *****''A beautiful book'' - Gabriel Byrne ''Beautiful and brilliant. I loved it'' - Fergus Butler-Gallie From the author of A Tomb With a View - Scottish Non-Fiction book of the Year Churches are all around us. Their steeples remain landmarks in our towns, villages and cities, even as their influeTrade ReviewWhat makes Steeple Chasing so compelling - and it is a wonderful book; thoughtful and challenging - ... is Ross's essential kindness, his unfailing empathy with the people he meets on his pilgrimage. * Daily Telegraph *A charming odyssey . . . in this lyrical love letter to churches Ross reminds us there is something worth saving and people who will make the effort. * The Times *His book is a delicious treat, and one that both believers and sceptics will enjoy. * Financial Times *Reading a book is another reciprocal act: if it's good, it stays with you. Ross's readers will have his words humming through them for a long time. * Spectator *Lovely, lyrical, whimsical, elegiac ... Ross has a gift for making you feel you're there with him, just as awed as he is. * Times Literary Supplement *Ross has always had a quiet charm, and it is perhaps displayed best in this book. . . it is properly interested in humanity, especially in its complexity. * The Scotsman *Steeple Chasing is, as you might expect from Ross, itself a beautiful object, full of delicacy and deliberation in the writing. . .a fascinating, beautifully written book full of both the strange and the terrible, but also full of grace and love. * The Herald *Beautifully observed and evocatively written. * Country Life *Never less than fascinating. * Books From Scotland *
£10.44
SCM Press An Introduction to the History of Israel and Judah
Book SynopsisBrisk, easy-to-read and never dull, the strengths of this history lie in a concern for all aspects of the history of Israel and Judah, political and economic factors, religious and theological interpretation, methodology, geography and topography.
£31.35
SCM Press Spaces for the Sacred
Book SynopsisPhilip Sheldrake examines the sacred narratives which derive from both overtly religious sites such as cathedrals, and secular ones, like the Millennium Dome and suggests how Christian theological and spiritual traditions may contribute creatively to current debates about 'place'.Trade Review"highly original, erudite, and passionate work, which, in its 180 pages, causes you often to pause for breath before setting out down some unexpected route that turns out to offer new views on how faith has developed, and is expressed. (...) By the end, you know you have had a rich feast of reflection." DR Peter Selby, Bishop or Worcester, Church Times, 28 October 2005. "Pattison is offering an important thesis here. His approach is to see doctrine as conversation, and the task of exploring doctrine as participation in a living tradition. (...) I hope that it will be widely read so that we can have a richer mix of ways of doing doctrine today that often occurs." Clive Marsh, University of Nottingham, Epworth Review, April 2006. "It holds some intriguing insights and prescriptions, and may benefit more discerning readers who want a sampling of modern trends in theology and philosophy". Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology, Spring 2007
£30.37
St Andrew Press St Giles
Book SynopsisSitting majestically atop the ridge of Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile, St Giles' looks imposingly down upon Scotland's capital. This book tells the story of Scotland's most famous church from its foundation in the 1120s through the 17th-century Prayer Book riot, the writing of the Covenant in 1638, and the executions of Montrose and Argyll.
£16.70
Hippocrene Books Inc.,U.S. Spirit of Place
Book Synopsis“They are works of art that speak to the creative spirit that once stirred within a heart to carve a statue, to gather stones to build a foundation, or gather words to form a poem or mix colors for a painting; they are messages from the past telling what at one time was important to this person, to this village, to a city block.”—from the author’s IntroductionIt is said that every country has its own genus loci or “spirit of place.” Poland’s distinct character can be found in the tens of thousands of roadside chapels, crosses and shrines that dot both its cities and countryside. A thousand years of Christianity, and the Polish Catholic tradition in particular, have left their mark on the country’s landscape. It is impossible not to notice the religious statues and little chapels that seem to be everywhere. Enter a courtyard in Warsaw or Kraków and discover a statue of the Blessed VirgiTrade Review"The real triumph of this book is its ability to transcend the mere aesthetics of the art to what truly describes the spirit of these places. The author skillfully interweaves the history of Poland and its influences from the countries of Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy among others. She describes the significance of the Sorrowing Christ, or Our Lady of Częstochowa, and all the other religious images that reside within these capellas, or “kapliczkas.” She speaks to the impetus that drove the Poles to so zealously revere and rebuild these shrines over the centuries. She cross-stitches in the legends and lore of the Polish people from various regions of the country. Even the foods associated with the festivals celebrated around these country shrines are discussed. No detail is left untouched, right down to the materials of the shrines and the selection of the colors that decorate them."--David Trawinski, POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL"With sensitivity to Poland’s ancient past and reverence to the Christian era, this touching account of religious art is written like a love letter to the author’s beloved Poland. For anyone interested in Polish history, Christian culture, and ancient beliefs, Spirit of Place is a must read."--Catherine A. Hamilton, author of Victoria's War
£16.19
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Gathering Place
Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE EDWARD STANFORD TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024''Deeply poetic.'' CAROLINE LUCAS MP''A masterpiece of storytelling.'' NICK MAYHEW-SMITH''Mary Colwell is a candle of open-minded curiosity.'' PATRICK LAURIE''An unforgettable story.'' MICHAEL MCCARTHY-Mary Colwell makes a solo pilgrimage along the Camino Francés winding through forests, mountains, farmland, industrial sprawls and places of worship. Pilgrims have always walked in times of upheaval, pitching themselves against weather, hunger, thirst and sometimes pain as they tread the paths their ancestors once followed. In the winter of 2020, author, nature campaigner and veteran solo walker Mary Colwell walked a 500-mile pilgrimage along the Camino Francés in northern Spain. In a typical year, many thousands of people walk this route, but Mary had it virtually to herself at a unique historical moment a time of profound political cTrade ReviewA compelling storyteller, Colwell’s 500-mile pilgrimage is rich with memories, myths and associations from the past. In this deeply poetic journey into an inner and an outer landscape, the natural world is often her only companion, powerfully evoked and brilliantly observed. * Caroline Lucas MP *In The Gathering Place, Mary Colwell is a candle of open-minded curiosity, which reminds us that while clear answers are hard to come by, we should never stop asking questions. * Patrick Laurie, author of Native *An unforgettable story of heroes and villains, kindness and horror, holiness and wickedness, miracles, bizarre legends, lost souls, and eventually, solace in a troubled world. Not to be missed. * Michael McCarthy, author of The Moth Snowstorm *Mary Colwell brings an inspiring sense of openness, courage, humility and loving curiosity to her daily encounters with the natural and human worlds. * Jeremy Mynott, author of The Consolation of Nature *A rich tapestry full of myth, wisdom and humility, accompanied always by evocative musings on the natural world … enveloped in hope and sprinkled with humour. -- Tiffany Francis-Baker * Resurgence *A masterpiece of storytelling on a journey that will move hearts and minds alike. * Nick Mayhew-Smith, author of Britain’s Pilgrim Places *Beautifully written. * Kate Green, Country Life *The Gathering Place is much more than a travel book down a well-trodden path. It is a brutally honest examination of why we are as we are, and just how important the cultural landmarks of our lives have become in a world of anxiety and change. Brave, tough and surprisingly funny, this is a witness statement from one of the UK's great campaigners. * Roger Morgan-Grenville, author of Liquid Gold *Amazing. * Tim Birkhead, author of Birds and Us *The Gathering Place is a beautiful thing: like a warm crystal; full of light, reflecting and refracting and celebrating everything both inside and outside the book. * Charles Foster, author of Being a Human *An enjoyable account of a popular pilgrimage in unusual circumstances. -- Philip Welsh * Church Times *Table of ContentsPrologue Chapter 1 - Wooden Staffs and Mountains Chapter 2 - Moors and Myths Chapter 3 - Witches and Forests Chapter 4 - To The Stars Chapter 5 - The Kindness of Strangers Chapter 6 - Wine and Wonder Chapter 7 - War and Peace Chapter 8 - The Unravelling Road Chapter 9 - Stones and Snow Chapter 10 - Ultreïa Epilogue Acknowledgements References and Further Reading Index
£17.99
Headline Steeple Chasing
Book SynopsisFrom the author of A Tomb With a View - a celebration of the weird and wonderful churches of Britain.Trade ReviewWhat makes Steeple Chasing so compelling - and it is a wonderful book; thoughtful and challenging - ... is Ross's essential kindness, his unfailing empathy with the people he meets on his pilgrimage. * Daily Telegraph *A charming odyssey . . . in this lyrical love letter to churches Ross reminds us there is something worth saving and people who will make the effort. * The Times *His book is a delicious treat, and one that both believers and sceptics will enjoy. * Financial Times *Reading a book is another reciprocal act: if it's good, it stays with you. Ross's readers will have his words humming through them for a long time. * Spectator *Lovely, lyrical, whimsical, elegiac ... Ross has a gift for making you feel you're there with him, just as awed as he is. * Times Literary Supplement *Ross has always had a quiet charm, and it is perhaps displayed best in this book. . . it is properly interested in humanity, especially in its complexity. * Scotsman *Steeple Chasing is, as you might expect from Ross, itself a beautiful object, full of delicacy and deliberation in the writing. . .a fascinating, beautifully written book full of both the strange and the terrible, but also full of grace and love. * Herald Scotland *Beautifully observed and evocatively written. * Country Life *Never less than fascinating. * Books From Scotland *
£20.90
New York University Press The Book of Monasteries
Book SynopsisA literary tour of Christian monasteries of the medieval Middle EastThe Book of Monasteries takes readers on an engaging tour of the monastic centers of the medieval Middle East, illustrated with a rich variety of poetry and prose. Starting with monasteries in Baghdad, readers are taken up the Tigris into the mountains of south-eastern Anatolia before moving to Palestine and Syria, along the Euphrates down to the old Christian center of ?irah and onward to Egypt. For the literary anthologist al-Shabushti, who was Muslim, monasteries were important sites of interactions between Abbasid elites and the Christian communities that made up about half the population of the Abbasid Empire at the time. Each section in this anthology covers a specific monastery, beginning with a discussion of its location and the reason for its name. Al-Shabushti presents poems, anecdotes, and historical reports related to each site. He selects heroic and spectacular incidents, illusTrade Review"Not only has [Kilpatrick] rendered what one suspects is rather challenging Arabic in readable and often stylish English prose, but she has also provided a great many helpful notes and a useful introduction and bibliography." * Ahram Online *"An intriguing read for those interested in Muslim-Christian relations within the Abbasid empire and...medieval monasticism." * Medievalists.net *
£26.59
America Through Time Buried Long Island: History Set in Stone
Book Synopsis
£19.99
America Through Time Hillside Cemetery, Middletown, New York: Beyond
Book Synopsis
£19.99
Mandala Publishing Group The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape
Book SynopsisThe Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape explores Hinduism as it was practised in temples across the Indian subcontinent throughout history, highlighting the temple’s significance as a marker of cultural identity.The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape illustrates how careful attention to the Hindu temple, its social history, and cultural landscape allows us to better appreciate how Hinduism has been practised and lived throughout history. The Hindu temple was not merely a place of worship or a static indicator of royal generosity but an institution that involved the active participation of the community for its establishment, maintenance, and survival. Rather than studying temples as isolated structures, The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape thus suggests that we need to examine them in the context of their social base and the sacred microcosms of which they form a part. Through a combination of textual study, archaeological evidence, and insights from contemporary anthropology, the book explores the diverse ways in which devotees, patrons, and visitors have engaged with temples, shrines, and their wider surroundings. Drawing attention to the vibrancy of the Hindu temple in different locales, The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape traces the ways in which Hindu notions of sanctity and sacredness were defined and redefined throughout history through the diversity of temple audiences, deities, and rituals. The book thus allows us to form a more accurate picture of Hindu religious life in the past and the central role the temple has played in consolidating Hindu identity. EXPERT ANALYSIS: Author Himanshu Prabha Ray provides authoritative analysis of the Hindu temple, drawing on her expertise as an award-winning Sanskrit scholar, historian, and archeologist. SUPPLEMENTAL STUDY: The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape provides a breadth of educational knowledge as a supplement to both academic coursework and the independent study of Hinduism. With the integration of discussion questions, suggested further reading, a glossary of key terms, and images throughout, The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape offers an accessible introduction to studying the history and significance of Hindu temples. EXPLORE THE SERIES: The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape expands the collection of academic texts developed by the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Publishing Series offers authoritative yet accessible introductions to a wide range of subjects in Hindu Studies. Each book in the series aims to present its subject matter in a form that is engaging and readily comprehensible to persons of all backgrounds - academic or otherwise - without compromising scholarly rigour. The series thus bridges the divide between academic and popular writing by preserving and utilising the best elements of both. Women in the Hindu World and The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation and Study Guide are also available in the series.
£26.25
Canterbury Press Norwich The History and Spirituality of Walsingham
Book SynopsisELIZABETH RUTH OBBARD was born into an army family and educated in England and Germany. After completing her schooling she spent a year in nursing and then entered the religious life. At present she is novice mistress at the Carmel of Our Lady of Walsingham, Langham, Norfolk. Other publications include: Lamps of Fire, daily readings with St John of the Cross; Magnificat the Journey and the Song; La Madre, the Life and Spirituality of St Teresa of Avila; Introducing Julian, Woman of Norwich. She has also contributed to various books and periodicals and written and illustrated some books for children.
£12.96
Canterbury Press Norwich A Walsingham Prayer Book: A Meditative Companion and Guide
Book SynopsisWalsingham is a place saturated with prayer, where pilgrims since the Middle Ages have remembered the mystery of God becoming man through the consent of a woman and where they have been invited to say their personal Yes to God as Mary did at the Annunciation. This delightful, illustrated prayer book and devotional companion will take you round all the special places in Walsingham. It can also be used in your own home, enabling you to make a spiritual journey to England's Nazareth whenever you wish. Prayers are provided for each of the significant sites and their familiar stories are retold. There are also prayers for a wide range of personal and devotional needs to enable you to draw closer to God who walks with us along every stage of life's journey.
£12.96
Canterbury Press Norwich Every Pilgrim's Guide to Assisi: And Other Franciscan Pilgrim Places
Book SynopsisAssisi, Greccio and neighbouring places associated with St Francis and St Clare are among the world's most popular pilgrim destinations. This pocket guide is the perfect travelling companion for all visitors to this beautiful region of Italy. Written by an experienced tour leader, it includes a blend of historical and practical tourist information, illustrations, maps and street plans, to enable visitors to make the most of their stay. Festivals associated with Francis, especially the blessing of the Christmas crib, are celebrated with great gusto and this book explains what special treats visitors can experience at different times of the year.
£12.99
Canterbury Press Norwich A Holy Island Prayer Book: Prayers and Readings from Lindisfarne
Book SynopsisThis prayer book follows the rhythms and seasons of the natural and Christian year as it is observed on Holy Island. More contemplative than the very earthy spirituality of Iona, each day of the week has a special theme: Sunday - resurrection and renewal; Monday - creation; Tuesday - incarnation and peace; Wednesday - the Holy Spirit in mission and healing; Thursday - community and unity; Friday - with broken people at the Cross; and Saturday - leisure (morning) and the Saints (night).
£12.96
Canterbury Press Norwich Every Pilgrim's Guide to Walsingham
Book SynopsisWalsingham in Norfolk is England's premier place of pilgrimage for Anglicans and Roman Catholics alike. Also known as 'England's Nazareth' its famous Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham dates back to the eleventh century. Its restoration 75 years ago helped to remake Walsingham as important a pilgrimage destination as it was prior to the Reformation. This pocket sized illustrated guide to Walsingham offers practical information for visitors alongside historical and devotional material.
£12.99
Canterbury Press Norwich Walsingham Way: Alfred Hope Pattern and the Restoration of the Shrine of Our Lady
Book SynopsisAlfred Hope Patten was a larger than life figure, terrifying to some, but determined to realise his vision of restoring the medieval shrine in the Norfolk countryside that had been closed at the Reformation. Colin Stephenson's account of his ambitious enterprise, his successes and failures (including a failed attempt to establish religious communities of men and women at Walsingham), his penchant for flamboyant clerical dress, his love of the Roman Church but his dislike of Roman Catholics, does not claim to be the last word in historical scholarship, but is a warm, engaging and entertaining account of one the highest achievements of Anglo-Catholicism in the last century and of one of its most colourful and controversial personalities.
£18.37
Canterbury Press Norwich The Story of Holy Island: An Illustrated History
Book SynopsisKate Tristam is a well-known island resident whose talks on the history of Lindisfarne hold visitors spellbound. A historian and a priest in the Church of England, she is ideally qualified to tell the remarkable story of this captivating place. From its misty beginnings as part of the mainland in the Stone Age right up to the present day, this popular history covers: its formation as an island, the Roman and Anglo-Saxon eras, the influence of Columba and Iona, Lindisfarne's own apostle, Aidan, the making of the Lindisfarne Gospels, Cuthbert, Cedd, Chad and Aidan's other followers, Hilda and the community at Whitby, Bede and the monastic tradition, the coming of the Vikings, the Benedictine years, the dissolution of the monasteries, and more.
£16.37
Brewin Books Faire and Goodly Built: An incomplete History of
Book SynopsisFaire and Goodly Built is the fascinating and thoughtprovoking story of the collegiate church of St. Mary, Warwick, until its rebuilding after the Great Fire of 1694. Author Tim Clark discusses the many influences on how the church looks today and what makes St. Mary's unique. He also considers the church's relationship with the earldom of Warwick, the town, and the townspeople, and in doing so introduces us to some memorable characters. The thoroughly researched text is enhanced by 77 illlustrations, most in colour.
£19.00
Brewin Books Faire and Goodly Built: An incomplete History of
Book SynopsisFaire and Goodly Built is the fascinating and thoughtprovoking story of the collegiate church of St. Mary, Warwick, until its rebuilding after the Great Fire of 1694. Author Tim Clark discusses the many influences on how the church looks today and what makes St. Mary's unique. He also considers the church's relationship with the earldom of Warwick, the town, and the townspeople, and in doing so introduces us to some memorable characters. The thoroughly researched text is enhanced by 77 illlustrations, most in colour.
£23.75
Jonglez Secret Sacred Sites: 100 hidden holy places from
Book SynopsisSecret Sacred Sites uncovers 100 hidden holy places from around the world. Sacred sites are among the world’s most visited and venerated places. They offer another level of experience to its visitors and pilgrims, full of intensity, presence and, for some, higher vibration levels and consciousness. The drawback is often overcrowded places, full of tourists whose presence will ruin this privileged moment. Secret Sacred Sites uncovers 100 lesser-known sacred sites often only known to locals, guaranteeing a fully authentic visit. In his forty years of pilgrimage, renowned National Geographic photographer Martin Gray has visited 160 countries and photographed hundreds of these lesser known sacred sites. Here he has selected his favourite hidden holy places, the result of a lifetime's quest.
£26.24
Schnell & Steiner GmbH, Verlag Altar and Church: Principles of Liturgy from
Book SynopsisAltar and Church: Principles of Liturgy from Early Christianity is the first English edition of a book (Altar und Kirche: Prinzipien christlicher Liturgie) first published very successfully in German in 2019. It is a translation of the revised third German edition. The central themes of Stefan Heid’s book are the early Christian altar and the building of churches. It is about the beginnings of the Christian liturgy; but it is also about the principles behind the liturgy. In his Preface, the author states that the book is concerned with “those things that are so fundamental and important for Christian worship that up to the Middle Ages they were found in all churches and to this day continue to exert an influence, especially in the communities of the East. In many cases, however, the praxis has meanwhile diverged a long way from what it once was and is now increasingly subject to ideological decisions.” Whether or not what Christians use during service today is considered to be an altar is a point of contention between the denominations. However, since the liturgical reform of the Vatican Council 2, the altar has been at the centre of many redesigns of Catholic church spaces, with the early Church frequently taken as the model. But how can this be reconciled with the widespread opinion that Christianity initially knew no cult and no sacrifices? It was not until later, from the time of Emperor Constantine, that a real state-supported cult with sacrifices, altars and magnificent sacred spaces developed; the Church suffers from this historical burden to this day. This volume carves a few paths through the liturgucal jungle and arrives at results that are as surprising as they are stimulating.Trade Review“Stefan Heid challenges widely held assumptions about early Christianity and offers a fresh look at the foundations of Christian liturgy.” Fr Uwe Michael Lang, St Mary’s University Twickenham. “This work will occupy an important place in the study of ancient liturgy. With impressive command of archaeological and textual sources, Heid challenges some of the commonly assumed narratives about the early Eucharist.” Daniel Cardó, St John Vianney Seminary, Denver.
£42.75
Sophia Institute Press What the Heart of Jesus Does and Says in the
Book Synopsis
£16.11
