[A] feast of a book about the great cathedrals of Europe....His lively reactions make you long to visit or revisit these places. ..illuminating

Expertly written...a lavishly illustrated and beautifully produced coffee-table sort of book... Jenkins's expertise and lively style shine forth ... as much a to-do list as a keepsake

The architectural and artistic detail is rich, but intelligible to the non-specialist reader... At a time when European travel remains frustrating, the book occasionally makes salivating reading... this is a useful addition to the bookshelves of anyone who cares about architecture, and prompts one to reach for one's passport as swiftly as possible

This attractive book will inspire you to do more cathedral-crawling

[T]his book fulfils a real need. Here are the masterpieces of western civilisation... Sir Simon does not pretend to be a scholar or a man of faith, but his passion for the subject is irresistible. After reading this book, those of all levels of understanding will be afire to go on architectural pilgrimage... No printed work could do more to evoke the wonders of these great buildings

Simon Jenkins has provided a feast for both eyes and mind in this sumptuously illustrated guide to Europe's greatest cathedrals. His Introduction, and description of the history and architecture of each cathedral, bring the living reality of these works of art into sharp and vivid focus

As ever, Simon Jenkins is here the best sort of guide to some of Europe's greatest buildings and their settings: well-informed, elegantly opinionated and passionate in his feelings for his subject. Set out on your European travels expecting to be entertained as well as informed

An engaging mixture of personal recollection and grand narrative, this book introduces the reader to the astonishing variety and invention of Europe's cathedrals, from Albi to Wells. Concise accounts and beautiful images conjure up what are still, after centuries, among the largest and most complex buildings ever built

Well researched, well written and perceptive - this is the essential and most inspiring guide to the greatest glories of European culture

This is a thrilling book. Jenkins combines formidably wide knowledge with infectious enthusiasm for these medieval marvels. A joy

Another masterly achievement by Simon Jenkins combining his inclusive vision and sharp focus, together with superb photographs, and all enlivened by his deeply felt personal perspective

In sparse but elegant prose Jenkins not only nails the must-see elements of these great religious treasure houses, he paints a historical and political backdrop against which they stand highlighted at the heart of our common cultural heritage

For all the magnificent illustrations in this book, the text remains its essential heart, at once on account of Simon Jenkins's crisp summaries of architectural history, and of his infectious enthusiasm for both splendour and detail

This is a cracker . . . a beautiful book

However spectacular the book's photographs, it's the author's prowess as a phrase-maker that keeps you turning the pages

An uplifting exploration of our social history

Bowler's affecting narrative offers fresh insight on life and chronic illness. Readers will be engrossed by this heartfelt memoir.

Higgins’ darting, spooling path connects myth with faith, art with literature, landscape with architecture, anecdote with interpretation… its images and schematic diagrams of labyrinths adding a visual dimension to a book already rich in thought and observation.

Richly erudite and compellingly personal.

A rich cultural history of mazes and labyrinths… Beautifully designed and precisely structured, it’s also a personal book about childhood memories, dreams and feeling at times lost in life.

[An] immersive, unusual love tale

Stokes-Chapman can write fascinating, three-dimensional characters... Meanwhile, extensive research brings the period so much to life you can taste it... full of buried family histories and fantastical archaeological theories, Pandora is a readable, solid debut

Whether the discussion is about artificial intelligence, the future capacities of knowledge, politics, philosophy, intuition, history (philosopher Thomas Metzinger shares experiences from post–World War II Germany that are hard to look away from), religion, reason, or the nature of consciousness, Harris grounds lofty discussions with concrete examples and his gift for analogy . . . free and open debate, in the best sense of the word . . . the book’s advantage over the podcast is that readers can linger as they need to and cherry-pick interviews at will. Recommended for anyone who wants to spend time with intelligent minds wrestling not with each other but with understanding.

One of the most eloquent and inspiring memoirs of recent years... A Dutiful Boy is real-life storytelling at its finest

Mohsin Zaidi...in a compassionate, compelling and humorous way, tells his story of seeking acceptance within the gay community, and within the Muslim community in which he grew up

A powerful portrayal of being able to live authentically despite all the odds

Zaidi's affecting memoir recounts his journey growing up in east London in a devout Muslim household. He has a secret, one he cannot share with anyone - he is gay. When he moves away to study at Oxford he finds, for the first time, the possibility of living his life authentically. The dissonance this causes in him - of finding a way to accept himself while knowing his family will not do the same - is so sensitively depicted. One of the most moving chapters includes him coming home to a witch doctor, who his family has summoned to "cure" him. This is an incredibly important read, full of hope.

A beautifully written book, a lovely story, life-affirming

Zaidi's account is raw, honest and at times quite painful to read. It's so vivid that it feels almost tangible, as though you're living the experiences of the author himself.

This heartfelt and honest book is beautifully written and full of hope