Inside the Vatican (Paperback)

by Bart McDowell (Author), James L. Stanfield (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
YA-- One of the most impressive books published by the National Geographic Society. Its large format highlights the superb photographs: views of the buildings, people, grounds, and art treasures that most readers will have never seen before. With its combination of readable text and outstanding pictures, it's the next best thing to being there.&-
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
For almost a year, veteran National Geographic photographer Jim Stanfield captured nearly every corner of the Vatican, both the world’s smallest country and the center of the Roman Catholic Church. Along with author Bart McDowell, he provides an insider’s view into the history of this 108.7-acre enclave, from the first St. Peter’s, built in the fourth century, through the amazing reign of Pope John Paul II, and beyond. Rarely seen areas of the complex, such as the Pope’s personal quarters and the world-renowned libraries, and up-close views of the stunning and priceless art and architecture provide an unrivaled insider’s look into this amazing nation.

In this revised trade paperback edition, Washington Post writer Howard Schneider brings the story of the Vatican up-to-date, including the death and funeral of Pope John Paul II and the selection and ordination of Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict XVI’s recent trip to the United States is also documented in poignant words and images.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (March 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426204507
• ISBN-13: 978-1426204500
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #645,162 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it!, September 8, 2000

By	Eric Welch "Photo pro" (Carlsbad, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Inside the Vatican (Hardcover)

Jim Stanfield is one of the most accomplished photographers to work for National Geographic. I met Jim several years ago, and he's a fine gentleman as well as an outstanding photographer. He won one of the top photojournalism awards in the world, in 1986, based partly on this body of work as well as an essay on Isreal. Bob Gilka, who was Jim's boss at National Geographic, told me he thought Jim was the most technically accomplished photographer working for the magazine. When there was an especially difficult job to do, it was given to him. And Jim's technical expertise shows through, but there's more here than technically superior images. These are stunningly gorgeous photographs in their own right. But they are more than that, they give you an insight into life at the Vatican that will never be repeated. Buy it. I can't wait for more books by Jim Stanfield to hit the shelves.

38 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Skimpy on the ART, January 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Inside the Vatican (Hardcover)

If you can get this book used for under $10 dollars

AND...

You are interested in the whole workings of the Vatican National Geographic sytle, buy it it, is a great book from that perspective.

It is not an over $20 dollar art book because a large number of pages which could have been used for images are wasted on oversize text. Five pages of the books text could have fit on one page.

The photographs are great, but they are of everything including wasted full page close ups of guards. If you want a general book on the vatican this book delivers......but if you thought that "Inside the Vatican" meant a lot of art you might not see otherwise this is not the right book for the price.
It is not an Art book like one thinks of with Konemann books, there are some good photos and enough for a general book like this but it does not have enough art to warrant the price, then again I guess no one really said it was supposed to be art book.
I have written this review just as a warning for some people who might think that there is a lot of art here.....it is not an art book. This fact is kind of a shame because after 65% of the book is finished and it finally does get to the "Treasures section" the photographs are decent, however it makes you wonder why did we need a whole page close up of a guards face and only a quarter page on some of the art.
The Wonderful frescoes of the Vatican are very few and most are the usual 4 token shots of the Sistine chapel.
The wonderful Hall of Constantine isnt covered at all. I agree with all the other reviewers, if you are a National Geographic format fan, this is one of their best efforts.

But....The wrong pictures are too big, the right pictures are too small, the really wonderful pictures never made it into the book, and way, way, too much space is dedicated to oversize text.

I bought it used, do the same, it is not a new full price book,
there is enough for under $10 even if your main interest is art but you will not get as "Inside the Vatican" as you might with other books about the Vatican Art.

Good Pope pictures, Pope-Mobile pictures, and that sort of thing
and good "Quick read history".

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book, June 2, 2000

By	Linda R. (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside the Vatican (Hardcover)

Because this book is a National Geographic book, it has beautiful pictures which capture the various aspects of the Vatican life. In addition to the wonderful photographs, the author gives valuable information about the Vatican. The only thing that I could have wished for this book is to have more detailed history of the Vatican. This book gives the reader a great foundation for the intriguing place called the Vatican State.