Henry Adams, Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres (The Heritage Press, 1957) Hbk Good

Henry Adams (1838-1918), descended from two US Presidents, became a historian, best-known for his History of the United States 1801-1817 and his Pulitzer-Prize winning autobiography, The Education of Henry Adams. Adams spent years living in France, enthralled with Medieval architecture and art, and consumed books on the Middle Ages. He especially became intimate with the great cathedrals at Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres, and wrote this privately published book inspired by his explorations. First published in 1904, it was reprinted by the Heritage Society in this gorgeous 1957 illustrated edition, which includes an introduction by renowned medievalist Francis Henry Taylor. A unique book, neither travelogue nor history, but a brilliant personal essay on the spiritual life of the 12th century builders and the tragic loss of their vision in the modern world. This hardback copy is from a private collection. Good condition with tight binding and clean unmarked pages. Smoke-free home.