Great book. not an easy read - the author uses a very poetic style to describe the cathedral, Paris and the multi-century period of the building of the cathedral. All-in-all, an extremely informative volume that makes one want to delve into the surrounding topics even more. ( )

Sub-titled "The Biography of a Cathedral", Allan Temko's book spans two centuries of Medieval France. These centuries saw the Gothic established in all of Europe, and the great Cathedral of Paris was the embodiment of that age. This story is at once historic, biographical, social, and artistic. It is the story of the bishops who dedicated their lives to its creation; of the builders and the people who gave of themselves; of the daring experiments in engineering which introduced a new conception; of the growing identification with the cult of Mary, its symbolism, its power, its direction. Using the shadowy records of early Paris, the author tells of the origins in the first places of worship in the Ile de France, the pagan gods of the conquered Gauls, the Roman gods, and the slow acceptance of primitive Christianity. Dim evidence exists, indicating the pattern of earlier churches, basilicas, a Cathedral, finally the first Notre Dame. From 1120 -- about the date when Maurice of Sully was born, the facts begin to establish themselves, the chronology, the details were recorded. And to the lowly born Maurice, ultimately to become Bishop of Paris, goes credit for building Notre Dame. Even though some parts were unfinished, other parts rebuilt and additions made contribute to the time span, but the cathedral in its essence was ninety years in the building.
Its final glory was achieved when the sainted Louis was king. The pageantry of Paris was background; the Middle Ages come to life in these pages. The history is often detailed, possibly overly technical for many readers. However, its fascination, its imaginative sweep charmed this reader. I was reminded of Henry Adams' Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres as the book parallels that masterpiece in its own way. This history is an exciting reading experience. ( )

ILLUSTRATED; PHOTOGRAPHS