Neil MacGregor Books

German history may be inherently fragmented, but it contains a large number of widely shared memories, awarenesses and experiences; examining some of these is the purpose of this book. Beginning with the fifteenth-century invention of modern printing by Gutenberg, MacGregor chooses objects and ideas, people and places which still resonate in the new Germany - porcelain from Dresden and rubble from its ruins, Bauhaus design and the German sausage, the crown of Charlemagne and the gates of Buchenwald - to show us something of its collective imagination. There has never been a book about Germany quite like it

Following the award-winning BBC Radio 4 series, a panoramic exploration of peoples, objects and beliefs from the celebrated author of A History of the World in 100 Objects and Germany 'Riveting, extraordinary ... tells the sweeping story of religious belief in all its inventive variety. The emphasis is not on our differences, but on shared spiritual yearnings' Rachel Campbell- Johnston, The Times, Books of the Year One of the central facts of human existence is that every society shares a set of beliefs and assumptions - a faith, an ideology, a religion - that goes far beyond the life of the individual. These beliefs are an essential part of a shared identity. They have a unique power to define - and to divide - us, and are a driving force in the politics of much of the world today. Throughout history they have most often been, in the widest sense, religious. Yet this book is not a history of religion, nor an argument in favour of faith. It is about the stories which give shape to our lives, and the different ways in which societies imagine their place in the world. Looking across history and around the globe, it interrogates objects, places and human activities to try to understand what shared beliefs can mean in the public life of a community or a nation, how they shape the relationship between the individual and the state, and how they help give us our sense of who we are. For in deciding how we live with our gods, we also decide how to live with each other.

The Elizabethan age was marked by uncertainty and change. This title explores the stories behind twenty objects from the period, bringing to life an era that feels both distant and surprisingly familiar.

Traces the ways in which different societies have understood and articulated their places in the cosmic scheme. It examines mankind's beliefs not from the perspective of institutional religions but according to how shared narratives have shaped societies - and what happens when different narratives run up against each other

Britain has one of the world's finest collections of Western art. From Raphael to Reynolds, from Botticelli to Bacon, amazing paintings grace the walls of our galleries, museums, historic houses and palaces. Neil MacGregor has set out to demonstrate the richness of the paintings that this country enjoys. The book is arranged by theme as opposed to chronology, identifying the major ideas that have inspired artists all over the world for many centuries. There is also a richly illustrated chronology of artists complete with biographical notes and where they can be seen in Britain as well as a comprehensive guide to the Galleries of England, Scotland and Wales.

Exploring the life, imagery and lasting appeal of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), this landmark book features a core of important historic paintings representing the saint by Giotto, Sassetta, Caravaggio, Zurbaran and El Greco.

Deals with the history of humanity, using objects which previous civilisations have left behind them, often accidentally, as prisms through which we can explore past worlds and the lives of the men and women who lived in them

The Elizabethan age was a tumultuous time, when long-cherished certainties were crumbling and life was exhilaratingly uncertain. Shakespeare's Restless World uncovers the extraordinary stories behind twenty objects from the period to re-create an age at once distant and yet surprisingly familiar. From knife crime to belief in witches, religious battles to the horizons of the New World, Neil MacGregor brings the past to life in a fresh, unexpected portrait of a dangerous and dynamic era. 'Fascinating ... filled with anecdotes and insights, eerie, funny, poignant and grotesque ... another brilliant vindication of MacGregor's understanding of physical objects to enter deep into our fore-fathers' mental and spiritual world' Christopher Hart, Sunday Times 'Enjoyable and intriguing, an absorbing evocation ... he draws us into the minds of the Elizabethan and Jacobean audience. Next time you see one of the plays reading this book will make those first audiences seem real to you' Peter Lewis, Daily Mail 'How gripping are these tales from a lost world. And what a world Shakespeare's was - adventurous, melancholy, rich and plagued by beggary, courteous and quarrelsome, sceptical and credulous' Daily Telegraph 'Elegant, informative ... provides stimulating insights' Anne Somerset, Spectator

The life and death of Christ have profoundly influenced Western European art for nearly two millennia, allowing artists to explore universal themes of love, hope, heroism, and suffering. Without contemporary descriptions of Jesus' appearance, his portrayal in art has varied, reflecting the spiritual perspectives of artists, the desires of patrons, and the needs of viewers. In this richly illustrated work, Neil MacGregor examines how artists from diverse cultures and eras have depicted Christ's story, tracing the evolution of his recognizable image. He explores representations in high art and popular craft found in galleries, churches, museums, and even market stalls, illustrating the development of Christian culture since Christ's birth. MacGregor highlights how certain artworks reveal societal views of Christ and the creators' inner struggles. For instance, Michelangelo's successive Pieta sculptures document his evolving faith and personal anguish, while Rembrandt's revisions of his Crucifixion etching reflect his changing perceptions and a more somber outlook on life. Ultimately, MacGregor asserts that images of Christ continue to resonate powerfully with both believers and nonbelievers, offering valuable insights into our lives today, just as they did when created.

A lucid introduction to the chilling but clear system of thought of the most notorious anti-Semite in history