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| In Tiers of Glory by Michael S. Rose |
| Review
...a very positive and informative antidote to the widely felt distress about church architecture. -- Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers A brilliant survey of church architecture, one of the best known to me, and also the best illustrated. -- David Watkin, Professor of the History of Architecture, University of Cambridge Many people have been intimidated by the demolishers of the beautiful. Rose's book may rally sane voices against these deconstructivists. -- George W. Rutler, author, Beyond Modernity Rose convincingly shows that recent church architecture, forsaking tradition, has failed to be either aesthetically pleasing or conducive to worship. -- Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., Professor, Fordham University Rose shows the sacred transmitted from generation to generation, linked by what Plato calls "the golden cord of tradition." -- Alice von Hildebrand, author, Soul of a Lion This richly illustrated book is both informative and inspirational. Architectural history comes alive under Rose's able pen. -- Aidan Nichols, O.P., author, The Art of God Incarnate Product Description Architects, says Rose, have always understood that architecture isn�t inconsequential. Sacred architecture, in particular, has an immense influence on how people think and feel � and even on how they pray and believe. In Tiers of Glory explains why, and it does so from the perspective of history and tradition. Rose (author of The Renovation Manipulation and Ugly as Sin) here provides a clear, comprehensive summation of the development of Catholic Church architecture from the Church�s earliest days to modern times. He identifies the canons that have been common to Catholic churches throughout history � from Roman basilicas to Byzantine and Carolingian churches, from pilgrimage shrines to Gothic churches, from Renaissance classicism to Baroque opulence � that is, elements that have been common to churches in every age except our own. Rose details how this organic development has been broken by the banal, uninspiring, and sometimes ugly church buildings of today. But he insists that Catholics need not simply endure these blunders and missteps. With a series of enlightening prescriptions for the future of Catholic church architecture, Rose explains how the Church can restore continuity with the great churches of the past � and why it is crucial to do so. Gloriously illustrated with over 200 full-color photos and renderings, In Tiers of Glory is a much needed and welcome addition to the literature on church architecture. |