- Hardcover: 311 pages
- Publisher: DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley) (29 Sep 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0756636337
- ISBN-13: 978-0756636333
- Product Dimensions: 28.3 x 23.4 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,758,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
A unique visual guide to life inside the spiritual centre of the Catholic Church
Vatican City is the world’s smallest sovereign state, but at the same time it is the spiritual heart of one of the world’s great religions with worldwide influence.
Through the inside knowledge of Father Michael Collins, gain a privileged insight into the unique 2,000 year history, traditional ceremonies, priceless treasures and spectacular architecture of the Vatican. Find fascinating accounts of the day-to-day running of the state, illustrated by the stories of those who live or work in this extraordinary city within a city; from a priest and a chorister to a gardener.
Specially commissioned spectacular photographs covering every aspect of life at the heart of the Roman Catholic Church, will take you right inside this extraordinary world.
--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.About the Author
Father Michael Colins was born in Dublin and was ordained in 1985. Following postgraduate studies at the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology in Rome, he lectured on world religion at the American University in Rome. He presently holds a pastoral appointment in Dublin.
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a beautiful book with a fabulous layout of pictures and text. It really takes the reader on a tour inside the Vatican. There's a wonderful section about the Vatican's first citizen, the Holy Father. Also, the book allows the reader to get a feel of day to day life in this little 'State', by following the activities of several people who live and work there. I specially liked the section on the sacristy of St Peter's. Bringing all the treasures of the wonderful Vatican into book form is impossible, but with Father Michael Collin's writing and the amazing pictures, this book comes very close to doing just that. I have given it five stars for attempt.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
19 reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
A Truly Stunning Visual Journey
24 Oct 2008
Format:Hardcover
In the world, there are few cities that demand awe. Paris at night. London. St Petersburg. The Vatican. Author and tour guide, Father Michael Collins leads readers through the Eternal City from both an insider perspective, and pilgrim point of view.
The result is a stunning book, copiously decorated with brilliant photographs and views not seen by tourists. Page 21, for instance, is a shot from behind Pope Benedict overlooking St Peters square. From this perspective, the weight of the responsibility that sits on the Papal office is merely hinted at. There are images of artistic wonder, of pageantry long forgotten and scenes of passionate peace.
A walk through this book is a walk through this book is a walk through history. 2,000 years of historically significant personalities and artistic creations are gathered in one place that holds sway and influence still. The Vatican is still the bastion of spiritual power on earth, and with that, a political base of power too. As the longest lasting organization on earth, a vast array of art masterpieces and monuments/buildings such as rarely seen by 'common' man.
Words cannot describe this book other than 'Magnifique', 'Formidable', or 'Triumphant'.
Tim Lasiuta
The result is a stunning book, copiously decorated with brilliant photographs and views not seen by tourists. Page 21, for instance, is a shot from behind Pope Benedict overlooking St Peters square. From this perspective, the weight of the responsibility that sits on the Papal office is merely hinted at. There are images of artistic wonder, of pageantry long forgotten and scenes of passionate peace.
A walk through this book is a walk through this book is a walk through history. 2,000 years of historically significant personalities and artistic creations are gathered in one place that holds sway and influence still. The Vatican is still the bastion of spiritual power on earth, and with that, a political base of power too. As the longest lasting organization on earth, a vast array of art masterpieces and monuments/buildings such as rarely seen by 'common' man.
Words cannot describe this book other than 'Magnifique', 'Formidable', or 'Triumphant'.
Tim Lasiuta
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
"Life in the Holy Lane"
31 Jan 2009
Format:Hardcover
DK Books have, once again, excelled themselves and produced a lavish "coffee table" book, which I doubt will remain long on many coffee tables! A clear map and legend on the endpapers shows just how small the Stado della Città del Vaticano really is (even with the extraterritorial palaces and churches the Concordat of 1929 it is little more than 120 acres) and yet the contents page and index reveal the stunning richness of all that is "The Vatican".
Fr Collins did his postgraduate studies in Rome which show in the detail with which he captions the wealth of photographs. Scriptural passages, spread throughout the book serve as antipasti to the primo piatto of the brief, but thorough, introductions to each section. Within each section the secondo piatto of the captions entice the reader to the wondrous confections of dolci served up in the multitude of amazing photographs illustrating two thousand years of continuous salvation history. Arcane elements of Catholic ritual, tradition and ecclesiology are clearly explained in the text and glossary without patronizing those who may already know such esoteric terms.
That the preponderance of photographs of the pope are of Benedict XVI shows that this is a new work, but some of the photographs do show buildings which are either currently swathed in scaffolding, or have been fully restored since the picture was taken. The reader will be delighted with the real thing.
I found the section "People" to be the most fascinating as it contained much I didn't already know, especially when telling the stories of those whose lives are behind the scenes (the Curator, the Choir Boy, and the Restorers). Who would have known the intricacies and intimacies of daily life in the hallowed halls of the Holy See? The universality and the humanity of this, the smallest sovereign state in the world, is shown by the work of Sr Agnes Marie (from Poland), the Sister of Charity, and Fabio (from Brazil), the Seminarian, together with the Pope (from Germany), the Diplomat (from Argentina), the Swiss Guard (Switzerland, of course) and the others (Italians all); none of whom is seeking what the world offers but rather integrating languages and cultures better to serve God in the world of his creation.
For anyone thinking of a pilgrimage to Rome (or even just a visit) this book will be an invaluable resource, both before you go and when you return to refresh your memory of what you've seen.
Fr Collins did his postgraduate studies in Rome which show in the detail with which he captions the wealth of photographs. Scriptural passages, spread throughout the book serve as antipasti to the primo piatto of the brief, but thorough, introductions to each section. Within each section the secondo piatto of the captions entice the reader to the wondrous confections of dolci served up in the multitude of amazing photographs illustrating two thousand years of continuous salvation history. Arcane elements of Catholic ritual, tradition and ecclesiology are clearly explained in the text and glossary without patronizing those who may already know such esoteric terms.
That the preponderance of photographs of the pope are of Benedict XVI shows that this is a new work, but some of the photographs do show buildings which are either currently swathed in scaffolding, or have been fully restored since the picture was taken. The reader will be delighted with the real thing.
I found the section "People" to be the most fascinating as it contained much I didn't already know, especially when telling the stories of those whose lives are behind the scenes (the Curator, the Choir Boy, and the Restorers). Who would have known the intricacies and intimacies of daily life in the hallowed halls of the Holy See? The universality and the humanity of this, the smallest sovereign state in the world, is shown by the work of Sr Agnes Marie (from Poland), the Sister of Charity, and Fabio (from Brazil), the Seminarian, together with the Pope (from Germany), the Diplomat (from Argentina), the Swiss Guard (Switzerland, of course) and the others (Italians all); none of whom is seeking what the world offers but rather integrating languages and cultures better to serve God in the world of his creation.
For anyone thinking of a pilgrimage to Rome (or even just a visit) this book will be an invaluable resource, both before you go and when you return to refresh your memory of what you've seen.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Sumptuous book, fascinating revelations
10 April 2009
Format:Hardcover
What a glorious book! Lavish color photographs take you, not just into the Vatican itself, but into all the niches and hidden treasures that the tourists miss.
The Vatican holds an incomparable number of treasures of art and history. It's history goes back to the Roman empire. The Leonine Wall dates from when the barbarians were attacking Rome and the empire was crumbling. Turn another page and look at the Pine Cone Courtyard where "the bronze pine cone was once part of a 1st or 2nd century Roman fountain" (p 119).
Lots of interesting nuggets. For example, the stunning baldacchino by Bernini was made from "90 tons of bronze came from the portico of Rome's Pantheon" (p 92).
On a humbler note, there are pictures of the free meals the Vatican nuns serve to the homeless.
The Vatican holds an incomparable number of treasures of art and history. It's history goes back to the Roman empire. The Leonine Wall dates from when the barbarians were attacking Rome and the empire was crumbling. Turn another page and look at the Pine Cone Courtyard where "the bronze pine cone was once part of a 1st or 2nd century Roman fountain" (p 119).
Lots of interesting nuggets. For example, the stunning baldacchino by Bernini was made from "90 tons of bronze came from the portico of Rome's Pantheon" (p 92).
On a humbler note, there are pictures of the free meals the Vatican nuns serve to the homeless.
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