Gothic Wonder: Art, Artifice, and the Decorated Style, 1290-1350 (Studies in British Art)

IDEAL FOR THOSE WHO WANT A BIT MORE DEPTH, AS WELL AS FINE PHOTOS.IT'S STRENGTH LIES IN BRITISH EXAMPLES.

An important addition to my medieval studies library. High production values evident in the book itself with its excellent illustrations and well designed page layout. Binski's text is first rate, as ever, but requires close reading!

a powerful and extremely well written book from Binski. This is essentially an academic text (but presented like a high quality coffee table book) and requires the rigour associated with that - however, the effort is well worth it as this is a very intelligent and provoking thesis and provides a vital correction to many years of distorted theory around English Gothic - Binski finally begins to show beyond doubt that the Decorated period in English Gothic was one of the greatest highlights in European art history.. An absolutely essential book for anyone with more than a passing interest in the Gothic period.. Binski is of course a Cambridge University art historian of the highest international distinction..

Good for the coffee table

I was very excited when I purchased this book but eventually, despairingly, gave up with just 2 chapters to go.I’m sorry to say that I found it to be impenetrable and convoluted and am rather surprised at the other positive reviews. It feels as if it needed a very close read from the publisher before publication to make the writing more accessible. (For example, perhaps Binksi might have used the word “playful” rather than his slightly irritating, frequently repeated, use of his preferred term “ludic”.)In essence it feels like a book which is engaging with various historiographical debates about the Decorated style, rather than a close examination and exploration of the Decorated style. It certainly lacks the elegance of writing of such Gothic historians as Jean Bony.Before you consider buying, maybe read Christopher Wilson’s (rather scathing) review of the book?Binski is obviously an intelligent, thoughtful and knowledgeable academic, but one who seems to be writing for a very, very small audience who he assumes already has a sophisticated knowledge of the subject. It almost seemed like a collection of rather arcane academic articles.Maybe one to reference for an essay, but a bit of a battle.

outstanding and scholarly examination of one of England's most important phase in mediaeval architectural history.