Church Going (eBook)

Andrew Ziminski's joyful, fascinating and often funny book will no doubt inspire a whole new generation of church detectives - and encourage a host of young stonemasons, too. A treasure

The medieval churches of the British Isles are among the finest and most diverse anywhere in Europe. This superb book brings them to life by examining the details of their construction and decoration. Only a stonemason could explain and reveal the motives that inspired the craftsmen who gave these ancient buildings their unique grandeur, beauty and magic. Ziminski's churches are like people - and many still possess a lively sense of humour

With humour and enthusiasm, Ziminksi illuminates fascinating details of construction and decoration - you will never look at a church the same way again

Atmospheric ... a deep delight

Beautifully written, informative, often moving. Do read this, if you think you're not into churches now you will be

[Ziminski] can write with real authority - and no little style - on that fascinating alchemy by which masons turn living stone into standing structures ... recommended to anyone who shares Ziminksi's joy in church crawling

A lively and loving anatomy of church architecture ... Every seat and stone has a story to tell. Ziminski tells them with aplomb, leading us through parish church graveyards, up spiral staircases and to the tops of spires and towers, uncovering what has been hidden

This book is an anatomy of buildings we take for granted, an opening-up of architectural bodies to reveal marvellous mechanisms in gold, bone, ancient stone and holy wells of stories

A joyous and illuminating exploration of our glorious heritage of old churches. A must for anyone who's ever stared at an apse or a misericord with no idea what they're looking at

Captivating ... brims with humour and humanity ... A lively guide to the features and furnishings of some of our nation's most evocative buildings

Fascinating - a masterly guide to the detail and meaning but also to the glory of Britain's heritage

Charming ... Ziminski has dug deep into the stone skin of these buildings and can tell you exactly how they were made ... Ziminski provides non-stop revelations ... pitching expert knowledge to the non-expert ... He finds treasure in the unlikeliest of places

Andrew Ziminski's books are treasure troves of lived and learned experience. They have changed the way I look at buildings and Britain

A beautiful book - in which curiosity, hand-skill and creativity combine in a hymn to craftsmanship, and vernacular and sacred architecture. Ziminski is a rare and wonderful voice

Utterly, utterly fascinating, from start to finish. One of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. Thank you, Andrew Ziminski, for opening our eyes to the vast treasure trove of thrilling history which lies in the churches across Britain. The wonders of this book will stay with its readers for years to come

Joyous ... this insightful book is stuffed full of ecclesiastical wonders

Peerless ... if there is one thing even better than taking a turn around old churches, it is doing so in the company of an expert

As a 'son of the manse' I like to think I can tell a doom painting from an embrasure. After joining Andrew in these pages I now understand a whole lot more

From bulletholes in weathervanes to beehives in church walls, Ziminski has an eye for charming details and an ear for a good story

Fascinating stories about the UK's churches ... [Ziminski] has an unparalleled understanding of the UK's stones