I am very interested in the Bible and art history and this book does not disappoint. I did find it a little long but overall the author gets the point across. I love the inclusions of all of the art work and how the author explains theories around how a lot of art was created based on human belief in the Bible and that the art works were created by both masters of the craft and those just creating art for God. Great good, highly recommended.

I wish I had liked this book better. It's on a subject of great interest to me -- religion, beauty and the role they pray in art. I even agree with his thesis and analysis.

But I am only lukewarm at best about it because of its many flaws. First it's supposed to be a book about art, but pictures of the works he discusses are, mostly, lacking. A painter might have 5-10 works discussed in the text but only 1-3 are [pictured. While this isn't a problem if you are familiar with the artist and his works, but what if you are not? The text isn't going to help you. In addition often the reproductions were too small for details that are covered in the book to be seen easily.

Of course these things might not entirely be the author's fault. The overly academic tone is, however. I felt often as if I was reading a not very well-written college textbook. One of those books that try to convince us of the author's intelligence by the use of convoluted phrases and lots of very big words.

I have news for you -- it doesn't work. I found myself, time and time again, wondering what he said, and I understand this stuff! The lack of readability in the book was a crying shame and certainly detracted from his argument.

Finally he used footnotes, lots and lots of footnotes. While I can understand why putting these notes at the end of each chapter would discourage the reader, why weren't they put at the end of the book? The sight of so many notes, there are some on virtually every page, will discourage any reader.

It's a good and important subject and with rewriting for clarity and with better attention to pictures and notes, it would even be one to recommend.

Absolutely beautiful book. The illustrations are gorgeous. The book contains art sintering only from the Great masters but also from the more contemporary artists of religious art. The book gives the artists' possible reflections of the reason for the painting and the how of the painting's creation. An intimate look at the artists and their work and feelings into spiritual art.

A very thorough treating of the connection between beauty and holiness, through the centuries of art history.