English Parish Churches Book

The late Sir John Betjeman described this volume as "a gem of a book...condensed knowledge without being stodgy, affectionate without being mawkish." From the Saxon simplicity of the little church of St. Lawrence at Bradford-on-Avon to the late Victorian splendor of Holy Trinity, Sloane Street, London, Edwin Smith's photographs of parish churches epitomize English history and the English way of life. Graham Hutton's enthusiastic texts set the buildings in their social and historical context, while Olive Cook, Edwin Smith's window, provides illuminating notes to the pictures. 214 Illus.

"A feast to the eye, a pleasure to read and an incentive to seek out the architectural treasures that one has hitherto missed." --The Times

"A fine memorial to a man whose affectionate and discerning eye always managed to capture the essence and the Englishness of the churches that gave him so much pleasure." --Country Life