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Picture

Universe of Stone by Philip Ball




Rigorous
commentary which explains both the science and the inspiration

Universe
of Stone is a comprehensive and wide-ranging review of the phenomenon that is the
gothic cathedral. In terms of thoroughness and eclectic research, its excellence
is typical of all Ball’s books. The examination of who the cathedral builders
were, of the diverse range of factors that led to the emergence of gothic
cathedrals early in the last millennium, of the kinds of people that assisted
the construction of such complex and magnificent structures, and of the variable
success of the cathedrals – that is, did they remain standing and for how long,
makes this a remarkable effort by Ball. This strength is also potentially its
potential weakness – while Ball is a talented expositor and he collates his
points well, this is nevertheless a dense and challenging read. Some detail 
may not have survived more rigorous editing, nevertheless it lends to the
story of this 26 year building project. I found that the wonder and interesting
details of the subject kept me going through discussions such as those on the
probable order of construction or on the metaphysical discourses prior to
thirteenth century. The comprehensive Notes, Bibliography and Index sustain this
narrative.

 
The
other theme is the book is the examination of the structural parts and features
of gothic cathedrals. Ball’s early identification of the structural elements is
helpful and, while his focus is on Chartres cathedral, he covers many other
cathedrals, both successful and otherwise, to clarify points.

Ball
offers a rigorous commentary on the historical beliefs that motivated cathedral
building, but maintains a balanced and agnostic perspective which distinguishes
this account. If he has an overriding theme, it is to demonstrate the
compatibility of science and fine art and to propose cathedrals as a splendid
example of what a union of the two can achieve. A reader cannot help but notice
how this often stands at odds with modern tensions between the tenets of science
and some religious prerogatives, but, to his credit, Ball does not labour this
or any other generalisation.
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