Saints: A Visual Guide [Paperback]

Edward Mornin (Author), Laura Mornin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2006

San Antonio, St. Patrick, St. Paul, Santa Claus - these are just a few of the many saints whose names are familiar to everybody. Well over six million people in the United States live in a city named after a saint. Yet how any of us know the stories behind the saints whose names and images surround us? Edward and Lorna Mornin have been collecting images of saints from both high and low art for decades. In this handy guide they combine their research into 130 popular saints with fascinating images, answering often-asked questions: When did these saints live? What are their symbols? Did they actually exist? Drawing chiefly from western Europe and the United States, Saints: A Visual Guide goes beyond familiar portrayals to lesser-known but enlightening images of famous saints, not only in formal sculpture, painting, and engraving but also in such modest media as prayer and playing cards, coats of arms, commercial signs, and the like. Attractive, practical, and filled with fascinating stories, this little book will be an invaluable field guide for everyone even the most seasoned saint spotter.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The Mornins' large-pocket-size guide to some 100 saints common in Western European and American museums and churches answers the questions they, and presumably other tourists, have had about the grandly represented holy personages they've encountered on their travels: Who exactly were these men and women? What did they do? Why are they accoutred as they are? The graceful notes about the selected figures also record the saints' statuses (whether historical or legendary) and some of what each patronizes. A color image of each saint, or sometimes of two together, accompanies each note; each picture-text pair occupies a two-page spread. Presentation is chronological, from the prehistoric archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael to the greater Holy Family and the original apostles and through the centuries to the most recent and recently canonized (2002), St. Pius of Pietrelcina (Francesco Forgione, 1887-1968), better known as Padre Pio. Instead of an index, a key for identifying saints from the physical traits, clothing, implements, and symbols associated with them concludes. A limited-scope, popular reference gem. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

This is the rare example of a book that comes along and you didn't know you had need of such a read until it arrived ... beautifully illustrated ... a fascinating book to dip in and out of Italy Magazine A practical, informative and visually attractive aid to Saint-spotting Good Book Guide --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (April 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802832490
• ISBN-13: 978-0802832498
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,421,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easter reading, May 17, 2007

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Ann "Ann" (NH) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Saints: A Visual Guide (Paperback)

Enjoyed this book so much as the passenger on a ride to Cape Cod on Good Friday that I ordered 3 more copies for my children. Each saint has about a one page writeup with an accompanying illustration generally by some famous painter.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for playing "Spot the Saint", March 29, 2010

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TNH (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saints: A Visual Guide (Paperback)

A very good reference book if you're unfamiliar with the standard representations of saints and want to know who's the guy with the gridiron (St. Lawrence) or the woman with the dragon on a leash (St. Margaret of Antioch). On the other hand, one hundred saints is a limited selection. It's like a pool with no deep end: you'll never find yourself unable to cope with the subject, but if you want to dive in wholeheartedly, you'll have to look elsewhere.

5.0 out of 5 stars Saints: Real and Mythical, January 7, 2010

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Published Author (Northern California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Saints: A Visual Guide (Paperback)

This beautiful little book took these Canadian authors on an international journey, photographing artistic works depicting dozens of saints. A short bio accompanies each saint, including those with doubtful, or downright "make believe" origin.