A history of illuminated manuscripts - Christopher De Hamel

Medieval manuscripts are among Western civilization's greatest glories. Laboriously written by hand and often sumptuously decorated, they have always been highly valued and remain as brilliant, fascinating and popular as ever.

Christopher de Hamel vividly describes the circumstances in which such books were created - from the earliest monastic Gospel Books to the most lavish Books of Hours. For the second edition of this book, the text has been revised and updated and the whole volume completely redesigned with a striking wealth of new colour illustrations.

Christopher de Hamel is a Fellow Librarian of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. For many years he was head of the Western Manuscripts department at Sotheby's in London. He is the author of The Book: A History of the Bible, also published by Phaidon, which has become established as a definitive work and magnum opus in itself.

"It is no mere history, but an original, lively and richly illustrated commentary."-Times Literary Supplement

"Gorgeous and informative. A wonderful introduction to handwritten books from the Dark Ages to the invention of printing in the fifteenth century."-Houston Chronicle

"Lavish, beautiful and sweeping look at the beginning of the printed word."-Graphic Arts Monthly

"Along with excellent illustrations, this large volume includes a bibliography and index of manuscripts."-The Good Book Guide