Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
28th out of 602 books
—
709 voters
Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction
This richly illustrated book shows the intricate step-by-step process of a cathedral's growth. This title has been selected as a Common Core Text Exemplar (Grades 6-8, Informational Texts: Science, Mathematics, and Technical Studies)...more
Paperback, 80 pages
Published
October 26th 1981
by Graphia
(first published 1973)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,301)
Apr 27, 2013
Julie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2013-reads,
childrens-non-fiction
My brother fell in love with the book Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction sometime in grade school, when the book was still relatively new. We attribute his becoming an architect in part to this and David Macaulay's other works.
My sons fell in love with cross section books and The New Way Things Work when they were about 7 and 9. They'd read and enjoyed Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction as well. So when I saw Building the Book Cathedral in the library, I had to bring it home.
It's b...more
My sons fell in love with cross section books and The New Way Things Work when they were about 7 and 9. They'd read and enjoyed Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction as well. So when I saw Building the Book Cathedral in the library, I had to bring it home.
It's b...more
Cathedral was the first of David Macaulay’s very popular (and groundbreaking) “children’s” books, in which he produced large drawings accompanied by interesting text, together illustrating how various things have been put together by humans over the ages. In this book his topic is a medieval European cathedral. The book informs us about the engineering problems and solutions, the large number and different types of craftsman involved, and the decades-long effort required. (The Wiki article on Ma...more
1 like · like · see review
Though almost 40 years old, this storybook about the construction of a fictional Gothic cathedral is just as informative to adults as it is to the book's intended audience: kids. The illustrations wonderfully... well, illustrate the long (80+ years!), difficult, and costly process of building such a large structure at a time that didn't have the benefit of modern equipment like cranes (or even trucks!).
I also read the 25th anniversary edition of the book, called "Building the Book Cathedral", wh...more
I also read the 25th anniversary edition of the book, called "Building the Book Cathedral", wh...more
Macaulay, David. Cathedral: The Story of its Construction (1973)
Cathedral tells the story of the building of a magnificent gothic cathedral in the imaginary village of Chutreaux, France starting in the year 1252. God was good to the people of this village, so they decided to build the longest, widest, highest and most beautiful cathedral in all of France in his honor. The book describes the tedious step-by-step process of building from making a plan, erecting walls, and finally hanging banners –...more
Cathedral tells the story of the building of a magnificent gothic cathedral in the imaginary village of Chutreaux, France starting in the year 1252. God was good to the people of this village, so they decided to build the longest, widest, highest and most beautiful cathedral in all of France in his honor. The book describes the tedious step-by-step process of building from making a plan, erecting walls, and finally hanging banners –...more
This marvelous illustrated book, supposedly for children, is the most useful book on cathedral-building I've found. I've been reading a number of scholarly books and histories on the subject, and all of them serve to verify that Macaulay got it right. He doesn't go into the theory, the complex geometry, or the depth of historical and political context, of course, but his pictures helped me to understand how the flying buttresses were constructed (and why), as well as how these astonishing struct...more
Cathedral is a Caldecott Honor Book that details an ancient civilization of craftsmen. Initially Macaulay gives the reader foundational knowledge through labeled pictures of basic and some very old tools of the trade. The book progresses to show the elaborate construction of a cathedral and the vast interworking’s of hundreds of dedicated workers. Workers are seen climbing on rafters during the construction but by the end of the book the cathedral is fully formed and quite decadent rising above...more
As an artist, a trained architect, and a lifelong lover of children's books, I fiercely love this little book of step-by-step ink drawings of a medieval Gothic cathedral being built. The level of knowledge and care that went into each picture is awe-inspiring, and yet instantly legible. It reminds me of a quote by Dizzy Gillespie,; "It's taken me my whole life to learn what not to play". There's an astonishing level of mastery here to be able to compress so much obviously painstakingly researche...more
Among the many books on Gothic cathedrals, there is not a better introduction than this thin volume from David Macaulay. Cathedrals required teamwork involving many specialized skills that are explained and demonstrated in detailed drawings, from the digging of foundations to the completion more than 80 years later.
The writing is clear and compact. It introduces many technical terms but in such a way that the meaning is plain without lengthy definitions. The illustrations complement the text and...more
The writing is clear and compact. It introduces many technical terms but in such a way that the meaning is plain without lengthy definitions. The illustrations complement the text and...more
Published in 1981 by Houghton Mifflin
Interest Level: 3-6th Grade
This is a great book about cathedrals that allows the reader to look inside every detailed sketch and learn more and more with every page turn. All my past students have always appreciated this book for its detailed schematics and interesting details. This informational text does not simply explain a Cathedral and what it was but it allows for the reader to see what is being described. I think this is perhaps one of the best informa...more
Interest Level: 3-6th Grade
This is a great book about cathedrals that allows the reader to look inside every detailed sketch and learn more and more with every page turn. All my past students have always appreciated this book for its detailed schematics and interesting details. This informational text does not simply explain a Cathedral and what it was but it allows for the reader to see what is being described. I think this is perhaps one of the best informa...more
I read this aloud to my children (ages 3 and 7) as an addendum to the older one's history lesson for the week. It was recommended in the workbook that accompanies volume 2 of Susan Wise Bauer's The Story of the World, and I'm very glad we picked it up. Both of my kids enjoyed it, and so did I. The drawings are enjoyable and precise, and the text isn't overly wordy. I liked that Macaulay emphasized the participation of three generations of the community in building the cathedral; it helped to put...more
Cathedral is an absolutely brilliant children's book. It is so lavishly illustrated, so informative (for adults as well as kids), so ingenious. David Macauley has truly carved out a niche of his own in the world of children's books. I was so impressed with this children's book that I bought it for my (adult) girlfriend. I should also say it's been a major influence on me (yes, I'm a children's book author) toward carving out my own niche in the field of kids books, combining knowledge and entert...more
Really nice ink drawings. Interesting explanations. Used this in my Art History classes.
Jul 07, 2010
John Hugens
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
social-studies,
picture-books
This book is an amazing exploration of how a cathedral during the Medieval Period in Europe was built. This book provides a clear and easily understood graphic representation so that children of all reading abilities can understand the complex building process (there are no steps held back), while providing text that is not made overly simple for children so that when they have a high enough reading level to fully access the text will learn real, and functional architectural, artistic, and other...more
Nov 16, 2008
Andrew Watt
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
kids, young adults, interested adults
I think this was the first of David David Macaulay's books, and it's by far the best. He follows the people of Chutreaux, an imaginary market town in France, as they set out to build the longest, tallest, widest and most beautiful cathedral in the entire kingdom, in the Gothic style. The companion video is ok, but not great.
One of the things that impresses me about this book is the degree of long-term thinking that went into building a cathedral. The roof timbers come from Scandinavia; the ston...more
One of the things that impresses me about this book is the degree of long-term thinking that went into building a cathedral. The roof timbers come from Scandinavia; the ston...more
Jun 27, 2011
Melody Savage
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
7th-common-core-unit-1,
wholesome-teen-reads
Imaginary cathedral, true to life construction process. Fascinating. Simple to read with no more than a few paragraphs per page and plenty of white space; Macaulay uses specific vocabulary to keep the explanations succinct. The drawings are very well done and illustrate what the paragraphs are describing. Not sure if more labels would spoil the art but they would be helpful clarifiers. It would be good to pair this book with another one describing the function of a cathedral.
This book is a treasure because it takes us for a behind-the-scenes look into the production of CATHEDRAL. Included are Macaulay's early sketches, notes about his technique, reprinted panels that illustrate how he would have presented a particular panel to great effect, admissions about mistakes he made, and lessons he learned. Kind of like a documentary about making a film, it can help or be tedious. This volume further elevates CATHEDRAL, its author and its subject.
Nick and I both loved this book. The drawings are lush, detailed, and architecturally precise. The same can be said for the text, come to think of it. This is a book about history, religion, architecture, engineering, and the human quest for perfection, all wrapped up neatly in an appealing story and presented in such a way that a seven-year-old and and thirty-something can both learn something new.
I liked this book which was just about at my level of understanding about the constructions of
a mosque a castle and a cathedral. So many things that I think of as modern were developed in
the middle ages. It amazes me at the skill of people who did not have modern machinery and these
buildings still stand while relatively recently buildings are shoddy and would not stand up to
the test of time.
a mosque a castle and a cathedral. So many things that I think of as modern were developed in
the middle ages. It amazes me at the skill of people who did not have modern machinery and these
buildings still stand while relatively recently buildings are shoddy and would not stand up to
the test of time.
It made something come alive that I've previously taken for granted. Makes me see something old in a new way. Lovely. Even on the recent reread. What more can I ask of a book?
And yet...
I'm not sure I'm it's intended audience, and the people in my house who are its target age don't find it appealing.
So what to do with the star rating?
Keep it selfish. I love it.
And yet...
I'm not sure I'm it's intended audience, and the people in my house who are its target age don't find it appealing.
So what to do with the star rating?
Keep it selfish. I love it.
Thank goodness for the illustrations, because I wouldn't have enjoyed following the text without them. It was very interesting learning the procedure for building a cathedral, and I'm in awe of what the people had to go through to accomplish it. I was especially interested in the process the glass makers used to create the colored glass windows.
with Story of the World, Vol II.
For some reason I skipped over the beginning note about this being a fictional cathedral so at the end of the book when we wanted to learn more about the cathedral now and we found it didn't exist it was a BIG (tear-filled) disappointment. Moral: Don't skip that part if your kid is like mine.
For some reason I skipped over the beginning note about this being a fictional cathedral so at the end of the book when we wanted to learn more about the cathedral now and we found it didn't exist it was a BIG (tear-filled) disappointment. Moral: Don't skip that part if your kid is like mine.
Sep 21, 2007
Jennifer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Shelves:
childrensliterature,
historicalfiction
I absolutely adore this series (Pyramid, Cathedral, Castle, etc.) I had the opportunity to meet the author at a benefit hosted at the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania around 1987 or so, he's amazing.
This book, and the companion video, give incredible insight into the mammoth human effort, gargantuan investment, and astonishing technical knowledge that went into building the monuments we still tour in awe today. McCauley balances technical information with accessible characters, creating...more
This book, and the companion video, give incredible insight into the mammoth human effort, gargantuan investment, and astonishing technical knowledge that went into building the monuments we still tour in awe today. McCauley balances technical information with accessible characters, creating...more
An accessible, engaging, and charmingly illustrated children's book about the construction of a fictional medieval cathedral. See also the accompanying PBS film, which in addition to an animated story includes wonderful camera footage of the author and a beautiful French lady at many different cathedrals throughout Europe (mostly France).
Mar 28, 2012
Paul
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
caldecott,
childrens-lit
Great book with imaginative drawings that stands the test of its forty years. It's an even better book with it's 1999 companion BUILDING THE BOOK CATHEDRAL that gives insight into the development of the book, and the presentation and illustration choices Macaulay was making.
1975 Caldecott Honor Book
In black and white pencil drawings, Macaulay shows step by step drawings of the architecture techniques in building of a cathedral. The life of the town and the generations of families that become part of the building of a monumental building. I love the story of life in a new "cathedral" town and the importance of apprenticeship. Great book!
In black and white pencil drawings, Macaulay shows step by step drawings of the architecture techniques in building of a cathedral. The life of the town and the generations of families that become part of the building of a monumental building. I love the story of life in a new "cathedral" town and the importance of apprenticeship. Great book!
A very good explanation and history of the construction of a cathedral in the fictional city of Chutreaux, France. Written for children and receiver of Caldicot Honors. It is both fun to read and beautiful to look at.
Sep 24, 2011
Chasmom
marked it as to-read
I'm looking for that little tiny staircase up into the high lofts of the area around the nave(?) I almost got all the way up into the one in Sainte, but it was too dangerous--maybe it's in here...
Fond book from my past and... a lovely book to read to little kids! An archetypal cathedral is built from the ground up in the fictional town of Chutreaux.
Facinatingly detailed illustrations of a cathedral in different phases of development and construction! The text was informative, but a little dry at times.
Another impulse check-out. Those New shelves are located right by the desk, you understand. We flipped through it during reading time, not to read the text, but just to gawk at Macaulay's amazing pictures. I'll go back later and reread the text, too.
15 March, 2010
15 March, 2010
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
David Macaulay, born in 1946, was eleven when his parents moved from England to Bloomfield, New Jersey. He found himself having to adjust from an idyllic English childhood to life in a fast paced American city. During this time he began to draw seriously, and after graduating from high school he enrolled in the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). After spending his fifth year at RISD in Rome on...more
More about David Macaulay...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Nov 11, 2012 06:51pm