
The Holy Grail
The History of a Legend
Richard Barber(Author)
Penguin Books Ltd (Publisher)
Published on 2. December 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
488 pages
978-0-14-026765-5 (ISBN)
Description
The Holy Grail is an image familiar to us all as an almost unattainable, infinitely desirable goal. The idea has passed into everyday speech and the legends behind it are as current in today's culture as they have ever been. And yet the Grail has no real religious meaning and is nowhere mentioned in the Bible. What is the truth behind this elusive symbol? Here, Barber traces the history of the stories surrounding the Holy Grail. He describes how through a long series of imaginative transformations, the grail has moved from the sphere of romance to religion, and in twentieth century popular culture has become an emblem of mysticism and man's highest aspirations, intimately linked with the central ritual of the Christian faith. The search for the grail has always been described as a quest; in this book, Barber goes on his own quest, brilliantly exploring the richness of the Holy Grail's cultural impact. Barber traces the history of legends surrounding the Holy Grail, from Chretien de Troyes' great romances to the popular bestsellers of the late twentieth century.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
346 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-14-026765-5 (9780140267655)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
12/2004
1st Edition
Penguin Books Ltd
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Richard Barber is one of Britain's leading authorities on medieval history. His books include The Penguin Guide to Medieval Europe, The Knight and Chivalry (winner of the Somerset Maugham award), King Arthur: Hero and Legend, and Pilgrimages. He lives in Suffolk.