The Holy Grail by Richard Barber

The Holy Grail by Richard Barber

The Holy Grail is an image familiar to us all as an almost unattainable, infinitely desirable goal. The idea has passed into everyday speech and the legends behind it are as current in today's culture as they have ever been. And yet the Grail has no real religious meaning and is nowhere mentioned in the Bible. What is the truth behind this elusive symbol? Here, Barber traces the history of the stories surrounding the Holy Grail. He describes how through a long series of imaginative transformations, the grail has moved from the sphere of romance to religion, and in twentieth century popular culture has become an emblem of mysticism and man's highest aspirations, intimately linked with the central ritual of the Christian faith. The search for the grail has always been described as a quest; in this book, Barber goes on his own quest, brilliantly exploring the richness of the Holy Grail's cultural impact. Barber traces the history of legends surrounding the Holy Grail, from Chretien de Troyes' great romances to the popular bestsellers of the late twentieth century.

Richard Barber is one of Britain's leading authorities on medieval history. His books include The Penguin Guide to Medieval Europe, The Knight and Chivalry (winner of the Somerset Maugham award), King Arthur: Hero and Legend, and Pilgrimages. He lives in Suffolk.

SKU	GOR001585622
ISBN 13	9780140267655
ISBN 10	0140267654
Title	The Holy Grail
Author	Richard Barber
Condition	Very Good
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Penguin Books Ltd
Year published	2004-12-02
Number of pages	488
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us