Vertical Churches of the World

Photographer Richard Silver traveled to 50 countries over the last decade to assemble this book of 154 exquisite photos. Talking his way into churches and cathedrals across the world, creating a truly unique photographic format, and capturing what everyone strains their neck to glimpse, Silver has published a masterpiece of religious proportions. A foreigner and non-practicer in almost every location, Silver is able to see beyond the denomination and display the epic beauty beyond (and above) the calling.

Laid out by continent, each chapter and the specific locations within provide maps for world orientation. Combined with the unique printing layout of 13 high by 6.5 wide throughout, the viewer can truly see each church in all of its glorious detail, as if they were laying on the floor below it. With a foreword by Professor William R. Cook, Ph. D. from Cornell University, this book will quickly become the essential and ground-breaking view into the holiest of places. A welcome addition to any coffee table and accessible starting point for conversation. For lovers of architecture, design, travel, and photography, Richard Silver's book is a must have.

Richard Silver (American, b.1961) is known for his photographs of landscapes, architecture, and churches worldwide. Silver utilizes digital photographic techniques such as tilt shift, time slice, and vertical panoramas to alter the images that he captures. Driven by the desire for exploration, Silver captures scenes from our everyday world and transforms them into memorable images. Over the course of his career, his work has been exhibited in both museums and galleries, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY, PhEST Photo Festival in Italy, The Skyscraper Museum in NY and United Airlines magazine. He currently lives and works in South Florida.

Dr. William R. Cook is the Distinguished Teaching Professor of History at the State University of New York at Geneseo, where he has taught since 1970. He earned his bachelor's degree cum laude from Wabash College and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa there. He was then awarded Woodrow Wilson and Herbert Lehman fellowships to study medieval history at Cornell University, where he earned his Ph.D. Professor Cook teaches courses in ancient and medieval history, the Renaissance and Reformation periods, and the Bible and Christian thought. Since 1983 Professor Cook has directed 11 Seminars for School Teachers for the National Endowment for the Humanities. His books include Images of St. Francis of Assisi and Francis of Assisi: The Way of Poverty and Humility. Dr. Cook contributed to the Cambridge Companion to Giotto and edits and contributes to The Art of the Franciscan Order in Italy. Among his many awards, Professor Cook has received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1992 the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education named him New York State's Professor of the Year. In 2003 he received the first-ever CARA Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Medieval Studies from the Medieval Academy of America.