Abide with Me: A Photographic Journey Through Great British Hymns [Hardcover]

John H. Parker (Author), Paul Seawright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2009

Vividly portrays the inspiration and history of twenty-five of the most popular hymns

Highlights the faithful work of twenty composers, like John Newton, Henry Lyte, and Sarah Flowers Adams

Includes a free 24-song CD featuring beloved hymns, performed by Ray Walker of the Jordanaires and other artists

These beloved British hymns - and the others whose stories are presented in this stunning collection - are the songs that have inspired and comforted worshippers for over three hundred years. The sites where they were composed - brilliantly captured by internationally-acclaimed Irish photographer Paul Seawright and described by American writer and literary scholar John Parker - are presented here, many for the first time. You will be able to see and experience the settings that produced the Church's most magnificent hymns. Join us in this photographic journey across England and Wales as we highlight the places that gave birth to Christianity's most inspiring and unforgettable music.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Parker, Professor of English at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, has taught Shakespeare and other literary classes there for twenty-eight years. He holds the M.A. and Ph.D. in English from the University of Tennessee, and also the Master of Arts in Religion from Harding Graduate School of Religion in Memphis. At Lipscomb and previously at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee, he has also taught classes in the Bible.

Paul Seawright is currently Chair of Photography at the University of Ulster. Previously he was Dean of Art Media and Design at the University of Wales, Newport, and the Director of the Centre for Photographic Research. His photographs have been exhibited worldwide and are held in many museum collections including The Tate London, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, International Centre of Photography New York, Portland Art Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

Paul has a Ph.D. in Photography from the University of Wales and was awarded a personal chair in 2002. He is an honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, currently chairing their Fellowship panel. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. He has published six books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group/New Leaf Press; Har/Com edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892216905
• ISBN-13: 978-0892216901
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 9.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #847,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book & CD, May 7, 2009

By 

Robert Parrish (Green Forest, AR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Abide with Me: A Photographic Journey Through Great British Hymns (Hardcover)

This is one of the most beautiful books I've seen in years. The photographs of British countrysides and ancient towns are awesome. Makes you want to go there now! The stories behind how men and women of God wrote such timeless hymns are fascinating, some inspiring. It's wonderful to know they were human souls like ourselves, yet used by God to comfort us in times of difficulty, to give praise to our lips, to exalt the name of holy God.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding sight and sound experience, August 4, 2009

By 

Stacey (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Abide with Me: A Photographic Journey Through Great British Hymns (Hardcover)

"Abide With Me" by John Parker and Paul Seawright is a beautiful volume containing charming stories and photographs of the most breath-taking churches in Great Britain. The accompanying CD has 24 of the loveliest hymns ever written or sung. These songs are superbly arranged and they compliment the written material magnificently. This elegant volume and accompanying music will transport you to another time and place while it elevates you to another level of worship of our Savior!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!!, August 18, 2009

By 

Mom of Four (Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abide with Me: A Photographic Journey Through Great British Hymns (Hardcover)

This is a gorgeous coffee-table book with lots of beautiful photographs and wonderful historical background sketches of some of the most beloved hymns of all time. The included CD features the hymns as they would have been sung during the era of the hymn. Very interesting, educational, and inspiring! The only downfall (if you want to call it that) was the listing of the pictures. The pictures do not have captions, however, the pertinent info can be found in the back of the book.

This would not only make a great gift - but a great addition to your own library!