HIGHLIGHTS OF ENGLISH CATHEDRALS
INTRODUCTION
REVIEWS
HOW TO BUY
In recent years I have made several trips to England with a special project in mind: the photographing in some detail of all the cathedrals of England. The photographs, together with accompanying text, have appeared in publicly accessible websites under the link
http://paulscottinfo.ipage.com/england/cathedrals/
Many people who have seen the websites or learnt about the project have asked if I plan to publish the results in book form. I have been reluctant to do this. I have taken more than a hundred photographs of many of the cathedrals, and it has seemed like an impossible task to do justice to any cathedral in a couple of printed pages. However, I have come to believe that perhaps the printed version and the underlying websites might be regarded as complementary, rather than in competition. A reader of the printed version might be encouraged to learn more from the website. And the printed version may well be seen as an attractive addition to the home or office coffee table!
About the author ...
Paul Scott is a retired mathematics professor from the University of Adelaide, Australia, and a member of St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral in Adelaide. His interests have included mathematics education, geometric models, playing in brass bands, photography, construction of websites, churches and cathedrals, volcanoes, light houses, windmills, ... .
The following book reviews can be found on the GoodReads website:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/167698165-highlights-of-english-cathedrals
Review by Dr Baden Teague ...
* * * * *
It is a pleasure to write a brief review of your book, Highlights of English Cathedrals. ...
Paul Scott’s book, Highlights of English Cathedrals (2023), is an excellent collection of superb photographs, accompanied by brief, useful descriptions of each Cathedral.
This collection is comprehensive, including all the Anglican Cathedrals and all the Roman Catholic Cathedrals throughout England. There is art and architecture here. There is history and theology too.
The collage of photographic angles and perspectives make this book a personal insight as well. Paul Scott attends a Cathedral here in South Australia and he brings a kindly view to these English Cathedrals which he has studied very well.
This book is not only a careful index to scores of English Cathedrals, it is also an inspiration to the Christian faith and life that all these established Cathedrals represent.
I warmly commend this good book.
Dr Baden Teague of St Peter’s Cathedral in Adelaide, September 20, 2023
Review by Lindy Henry ...
* * * * *
When I first picked up this well presented book I wondered whether it would hold my interest past the first page or two. I have visited just a handful of Britain’s cathedrals, certainly appreciating the grandeur of the architecture, the beauty of stained glass and the sense of stepping out of the rat race into a peaceful and holy place. Still I had no desire to spend more time in these ancient buildings, preferring the holy spaces of forest and mountains.
I was very pleasantly surprised then to find an intriguing catalogue of pictures that reflects the unique history and character of these amazing places. The art of painstakingly decorated ceilings and the workmanship of different structural features is beautifully displayed.
Page after page sent me scrambling down a Google rabbit hole to discover more about the stories of a varied collection of Saints and Martyrs, Sculptures and Stained glass. Who knew St Winifrede lost her head then had it miraculously reattached! Who knew the ins and outs of St Swithun’s hole? My favourite is Ely for its ancient history with embrace of modern symbolism.
Each Cathedral only has a double page and there is so much more to see and learn which Paul Scott directs us to his websites to discover. But to whet your appetite and inspire you to visit, look no further than this wonderful book. Highly recommended!
Review by Michael Davey ...
* * * * *
It is easy to be captivated by the excellence of Paul Scott’s photography of the cathedrals of England and to be thrilled with their architecture and internal features. However, another dimension is revealed in the brief descriptions which place each building in its historical context. This allows a reflection on the development of Christianity in England. We can see that even the most important structures are no older than from the late-Saxon period and most are of the Norman era. This partly reflects improvements in building techniques, but it also tells us about the development of the diocesan system, which continued after the Reformation. The second obvious change was the legal acceptance of Roman Catholicism in the late-eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, with all the RC cathedrals being built after this.
Paul Scott has been able to provide the reader with magnificent visual images of these great buildings and an insight into their functioning and purpose. On a personal note, having been brought up in England, I was thrilled to revisit, so to speak, some which I actually attended. I really appreciated the beautiful book that Paul Scott has given us.
Review by Roslyn Marley ...
* * * * *
Since the beginning of of Christendom, people have endeavoured to find ways to express the Gospel and their faith to others. Words can sometimes fail to give full expression of feelings, and it is here that architecture comes to the fore. The use of wood, stone, mortar and stained glass illustrate biblical stories; ceramics, metal, soft fabrics musical instruments all lend themselves to the creative talents and God given gifts of those who work them into expressions of faith.
The photos and associated text of Paul Scott’s journeys into so many Cathedrals show us the Gospel and Christian Faith in solid form, giving us the opportunity to share and rejoice in the beauty of these buildings. The sense of wonder one experiences when visiting these wonderful buildings resurfaces when absorbed in Paul’s excellent book. Well done Paul.
Review by Fay Torr ... (both books)
* * * * *
My first glimpses of these books are nothing short of admiration, and each is a masterpiece for Paul Scott! His actual work involves taking colour photographs, and adding text beneath or near the photographs.”
Paul Scott is to be congratulated on both books! They are both extremely well done and presented.
Review by ‘Reader’ (a GoodReads review)
* * * * *
Paul Scott has put together his impressions, and an impressive collection of photographs, of 62 Roman Catholic and Church of England Cathedrals. It is a major piece of research and of editing. The result is a beautiful 29 x 22 cms book, (some might say coffee table book). The publication profiles each Cathedral with a left hand page signature photo, with detail on the right hand page of its history, foundation, supported by a selection of features and items of interest. Readers may be familiar with the Cathedrals of Lincoln, Durham or Gloucester, but Scott takes us to less familiar territory as well- Carlisle, Portsmouth and Lancaster for instance. It is a fascinating journey.
The author shows he has a superb eye for showing us the details of a frieze, or a window, or a statue. These close-up photos are what makes this book such a delight. The challenge for him has been what to leave in and leave out.
Anglophiles will love this book, and if the reader has more than a passing interest in the history of Churches of Anglican and Catholic foundation, it will be a treasure to dip into, to absorb and to revisit from time to time. It certainly whets the appetite for a Cathedral-centric tour of England.
Review by Jeremy and Wendy
* * * * *
Given the number of cathedrals in Britain, Paul has succeeded in showing us the beauty of them all through much research, patience and some excellent photography.
The book ‘Highlights of English Cathedrals’ is available in hard cover and paperbound editions. The book is published by IngramSpark.
Technical information: Hard cover: ISBN 978-0-6457817-1-7 ; Paperbound: ISBN 978-0-6457817-0-0
The book is available at your local bookstore, or online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Waterstones, Kobo, Thrift, WHSmith and many others.
The Recommended Retail Prices are as below:
Hard cover: $A49.99 £39.99 $US39.99 $C44.99 €39.99
Paperbound: $A39.99 £29.99 $US29.99 $C34.99 €34.99
To buy through Amazon, click here ...