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The Empire Of Death: A Cultural History Of Ossuaries And Charnel Houses (2011)

by Paul Koudounaris(Favorite Author)

4.58 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0500251789 (ISBN13: 9780500251782)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Thames & Hudson

review 1: This book was one of my favorites before I even read it: the design and photography are stunning. I finally got around to actually reading it, and I'm glad I did. I love the background stories on the charnel houses (especially those of which I had the pleasure of visiting myself), the beliefs of the people who build them and the mysteries that surround them. The chapters are richly illustrated with historical drawings and photography , and the large picture pages with images the author took on the sights are wonderful. A beautiful book.
review 2: My only criticism of this book is the font color and size choice. I think it limits the readership. Otherwise, I have been to a few ossuaries and crypts in my travels but this book pulls together the history of how and... more why things like the Paris Crypts came to being and includes some theological basis for how relic hunting went from visiting the dead to keeping the dead in Europe through the middle of the last millennium. This is a fascinating read with outstanding photographs. less

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