Loosely following in the footsteps of the most notorious grand tourists Kevin clambers in, on and amongst the greatest buildings, ruins and cities in Europe and also veers drastically off the official path to visit the brothels, bathhouses and drinking dens which formed the other half of the grand tourists' experiences. This accumulation of sights sounds and smells allows a sense of what it must have been like for a callow Briton to have come face to face with the heat and the noise, the drama and still living history of the civilisations of Europe. As always, Kevin, who speaks French and Italian fluently, is an entertaining and masterly companion as we delve behind the facades we all think we know so well.
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'this hedonistic romp shows that even in today's cynical society, Europe is still a place of excitement and wonder.' (HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER )
Book Description
Channel 4's Kevin McCloud shows us how to experience the highs - and the lows - of a grand tour through France, Italy, Greece and Turkey.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. J. Lord
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is well worth buying. The photographs and the whole content of the book make for some excellent reading
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Nicholas Casley
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed Kevin McCloud's four-part television series. (Why is it not available on DVD?) I thought his marrying of certain architects and architectural movements in England with certain buildings and styles in Italy and Greece was an imaginative reworking of the traditional Grand Tour programme; the combination of times and places seemed genuinely here to have historical meaning, reflected in concrete examples found in parks and on high streets throughout the land. I was looking forward to reading the book, therefore, to learn some more. But unlike many books of TV series, this one told me little more.
McCloud is a designer and architect, so this is very much a designer's and architect's Grand Tour. For those with a more artistic bent, wanting to witness the painting and sculpture (as well as the architecture) of the Italian Renaissance, then Brian Sewell's series (on DVD) is to be recommended instead. For those without a focus on the arts but wanting to explore the idea of the Grand Tour, then the books by Jeremy Black or Christopher Hibbert are can be recommended in their different ways.
The book consists of an introduction and twelve chapters that are uneven in length. In his opening sentence, McCloud states immediately that he is no expert on the Grand Tour. Rather than present a basic history, "we took a more cursive and personal route ... [focussing on] four big ideas in the history of Big Ideas." So we have Inigo Jones's introduction to Palladianism; Christopher Wren's "domological detective story"; the marrying of archaeology and design by the Adam family; and the Romantics' rediscovery of Greece and of nature.
The book is co-written with Isabel Allen, but we are not told who she is or what her expertise encompasses.... Read more ›
McCloud is a designer and architect, so this is very much a designer's and architect's Grand Tour. For those with a more artistic bent, wanting to witness the painting and sculpture (as well as the architecture) of the Italian Renaissance, then Brian Sewell's series (on DVD) is to be recommended instead. For those without a focus on the arts but wanting to explore the idea of the Grand Tour, then the books by Jeremy Black or Christopher Hibbert are can be recommended in their different ways.
The book consists of an introduction and twelve chapters that are uneven in length. In his opening sentence, McCloud states immediately that he is no expert on the Grand Tour. Rather than present a basic history, "we took a more cursive and personal route ... [focussing on] four big ideas in the history of Big Ideas." So we have Inigo Jones's introduction to Palladianism; Christopher Wren's "domological detective story"; the marrying of archaeology and design by the Adam family; and the Romantics' rediscovery of Greece and of nature.
The book is co-written with Isabel Allen, but we are not told who she is or what her expertise encompasses.... Read more ›
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By G. Bailey
Format:Hardcover
Kevin McCloud never fails to captivate on the TV screen and with this book he brings that same charm to print. The book basically follows the same format as the TV series giving some extra insight the subject, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it and every visitor to my home cannot resist flicking through it's pages.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Ian Thumwood
Format:Hardcover
Having found the TV series compelling viewing, this book was quickly added to my Christmas present wishlist. Visually, the photo's are excellent and the whole book is really nicely presented demonstrating exactly the artistic levels architects can achieve at the top of their game. Whilst nowhere near as satisfactory as the Dorling Kindersley book on architecture which covers much of the same ground and more in greater depth, this book takes a broader approach reconciling the experience of 18th century travellers as they discovered the architectural marvels of ancient Rome and Greece, throwing in nice observations of the differences in society encountered in the UK at the time. The book then illustrates how these ideals were imported back to Britain by the likes oif Inigo Jones.
In my opinion, Kevin McCloud is a brilliant presenter, bringing the inticracies of construction to a broader audience whilst not being afraid to pass incisive judgement. Unfortunately, this book is not thick enough to includes all of his observations which I feel are always worth hearing even if you may not be in agreement. Coming from a profession that is prone to view architects with suspicion, I feel Kevin McCloud makes some very salient points in their defence and the wonderful photographs ably illustrate his point. In many instances, some of the observations are extremely witty and, in a number of instances, they did raise a wry smile. Only the last chapter regarding the exploration of the Alps seemed a little strained and I would have preferred that he had concentrated on building. Never-the-less, the whole good was a very good read and quickly polished off.... Read more ›
In my opinion, Kevin McCloud is a brilliant presenter, bringing the inticracies of construction to a broader audience whilst not being afraid to pass incisive judgement. Unfortunately, this book is not thick enough to includes all of his observations which I feel are always worth hearing even if you may not be in agreement. Coming from a profession that is prone to view architects with suspicion, I feel Kevin McCloud makes some very salient points in their defence and the wonderful photographs ably illustrate his point. In many instances, some of the observations are extremely witty and, in a number of instances, they did raise a wry smile. Only the last chapter regarding the exploration of the Alps seemed a little strained and I would have preferred that he had concentrated on building. Never-the-less, the whole good was a very good read and quickly polished off.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Cadmonster
Format:Hardcover
A well-written book: a much more enjoyable read if you have seen the Channel 4 TV series beforehand. (As mentioned by another reviewer-why isn't the TV series out on DVD here yet? It already is in Australia! A real mystery, that)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Ribble
Format:Hardcover
I enjoyed the Channel 4 series, but the book itself is a big disappointment. There are silly, basic and trivial errors in every chapter, often on adjacent pages. These are at the level of absolute schoolboy howlers--referring to the Royal Society 20 years before it was founded,calling Dorothy Wordsworth the poet's wife rather than his sister, and having Shelley die 'on his way from Italy to Greece' when he was simply on a boating outing that went wrong. The publishers--and Mr McCloud--should be ashamed of themselves.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
a very good book to back up the television series, a danger for any book trying to emulate a television series is it cant convey being there . But this book does try and cover the reasons why the grand tour was a necessity for those fun loving aristocrats who felt compelled to view the wonders of a by-gone age.The book has an abundance of relevant photographs to back up kevin's comments. I like his style of writing , not too stuffy, comical at times, but always backed up with historical accuracy. A good read for someone new to the ancient world.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Purchase
This was a present it arrived on time and was just what the person wanted. This is a really good way to shop.
Published 2 months ago by margaret anne spolton
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT
Great book in the Kevin Mccloud style, great to browse through and well worth a purchase. Would recommend to anybody who is addicted to Grand Designs
Published 5 months ago by sw brooke
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful gift
I brought this book as a birthday gift -It was most appreciated as the recipient was about to head off on holiday-great book & great service
thank you
thank you
Published 24 months ago by Mrs. K. J. Colvill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kevin McCloud - Grand Tour of Europe
I had borrowed this book from the library, and just had to have my own copy. It is a book you NEVER want to return to the library. Words cant describe it. Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2010 by Katie New Zealand
3.0 out of 5 stars
Why the 'climate change' message?
A good book ruined by the 'Climate Change' lecture in the preface.
Stick to what you know about Kevin, I bought the book to read and learn about architecture, not to... Read more
Stick to what you know about Kevin, I bought the book to read and learn about architecture, not to... Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2009 by Mr. Steven D. Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grand Tour
Purchased as a birthday present. Feedback from the recipient is that the book was enjoyed and the present appreciated.
Published on 9 Nov 2009 by P. Selby
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