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Books : His Invention So Fertile: A Life of Christopher Wren
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Rating: 
- Extremely readable account of England's greatest architect
Tinniswood's new book is the first of a string of new biographies of Wren due out over the next few years. Tinniswood is a writer first and a historian second and he was succeeded in producing a book that is undoubtedly highly readable. The tone is, as a colleague described, positively conspiratorial and the reader is seduced into turning each of the 463 pages to find out what happens next. This is thoroughly admirable in a history book and there is no doubt that Tinniswood has succeeded in his aim of producing the most readable account of Wren's life to date. He is also extremely good at setting the scene, quoting from a wide range of sources from the period, rumour as well as fact. In view of all this it seems mean to find fault, but as people will inevitably use such a good book as a source for Wren, I think it is justified. Tinniswood himself says in the foreword that he relies heavily on the Wren Society, yet this is now out of date. Because of this his facts are unreliable and students should beware. Moreover the truth is often sacrificed at the altar of readability so that in those places where there is considerable doubt, such as Christopher's son's mental handicap, the arguments for and against are not mentioned, one side being presented as gospel. All this said if asked to recommend a single volume introduction to Wren, I would cite this one. There are few writers that have managed to capture the excitement of Wren and none are likely to be as accessible to the modern reader.
Rating:
- Discover and delight in Wren Masterpiece
A knowledgeable biography with an all encompasing understanding of the architectual genius of the man - the best known of the British elite creators - but still appreciating the scope and range of Wren's search for knowledge. An affectionate tale exploring, if not begging desperately for some essence of the man, who despite his interest in anatomy and the physical seems to materially exist soley through his work. Human and enjoyable read. A difficult act to follow.
- Extremely readable account of England's greatest architectTinniswood's new book is the first of a string of new biographies of Wren due out over the next few years. Tinniswood is a writer first and a historian second and he was succeeded in producing a book that is undoubtedly highly readable. The tone is, as a colleague described, positively conspiratorial and the reader is seduced into turning each of the 463 pages to find out what happens next. This is thoroughly admirable in a history book and there is no doubt that Tinniswood has succeeded in his aim of producing the most readable account of Wren's life to date. He is also extremely good at setting the scene, quoting from a wide range of sources from the period, rumour as well as fact. In view of all this it seems mean to find fault, but as people will inevitably use such a good book as a source for Wren, I think it is justified. Tinniswood himself says in the foreword that he relies heavily on the Wren Society, yet this is now out of date. Because of this his facts are unreliable and students should beware. Moreover the truth is often sacrificed at the altar of readability so that in those places where there is considerable doubt, such as Christopher's son's mental handicap, the arguments for and against are not mentioned, one side being presented as gospel. All this said if asked to recommend a single volume introduction to Wren, I would cite this one. There are few writers that have managed to capture the excitement of Wren and none are likely to be as accessible to the modern reader.
Rating:
- Discover and delight in Wren MasterpieceA knowledgeable biography with an all encompasing understanding of the architectual genius of the man - the best known of the British elite creators - but still appreciating the scope and range of Wren's search for knowledge. An affectionate tale exploring, if not begging desperately for some essence of the man, who despite his interest in anatomy and the physical seems to materially exist soley through his work. Human and enjoyable read. A difficult act to follow.