Richard Taylor (4) (1967–)

A pleasant little guidebook for church tourists (mostly Christian; a few thing you might find in a synagogue are mentioned. Nothing for a temple to Kali or Huitzilopochtli, though; probably just as well.). I learned that “nave” is related to “navigate”, promoting the image of worshipers as shipmates; “gargoyle” is related to “gargle”, tending back to their original purpose as downspouts; and a square halo on a painting or statue indicates the subject was alive when the image was made. How to Read a Church is concerned with symbols you might find in and around a church building, rather than church architecture; for example, it discusses the arch as a symbol (hands clasped in prayer, arms held aloft in worship) rather than explaining the difference between Gothic and Tudor arches. Easily pocketable and a light read, even if you’re not actually in a church at the time.… (mer)