Review: Abide with Me (Photographic and Muscal Journey)

Abide with Me: A Photographic Journey Through Great British Hymns by John H. Parker

• Vividly portrays the inspiration and history of twenty-five of the most popular hymns
• Highlights the faithful work of twenty composers, like John Newton, Henry Lyte, and Sarah Flowers Adams
• Includes a free 24-song CD featuring beloved hymns, performed by Ray Walker of the Jordanaires and other artists

These beloved British hymns - and the others whose stories are presented in this stunning collection - are the songs that have inspired and comforted worshippers for over three hundred years. The sites where they were composed - brilliantly captured by internationally-acclaimed Irish photographer Paul Seawright and described by American writer and literary scholar John Parker - are presented here, many for the first time. You will be able to see and experience the settings that produced the Church's most magnificent hymns. Join us in this photographic journey across England and Wales as we highlight the places that gave birth to Christianity's most inspiring and unforgettable music.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fabulous book! I could easily see this sitting out on a coffee table for years to come or a guest room bedside table for enjoyment. Also, this book is a perfect gift idea for my father. Written by John H. Parker and filled to the brim of photography by Paul Seawright, this square-shaped book is a perfect historical lesson on Christianity's most famous British Hymns and their authors lives. Each chapter gives an oral history of the hymnist life and a photographic journey of those locations in modern day. Each picture and page is to die for.

Over the years my father has always been interested in the history of hymns and their authors and collected various books on the topic. This one is like no other that he has in his collection. The pictures open a different kind of view into the lives and homes of these historical figures, both male and female and really brings a relaxation to the experience. In addition to flipping through these glorious pictures and learning of the lyrical poetry written by such masters this book also contains a free CD with 24 songs of beloved hymns, performed by Ray Walker of the Jordanaires and other artists all arranged to sound as they would have in the time they were written.

This book and CD is quite the experience, and I cannot wait to share it with my dad. But I think he'll have to wait until I get him another copy, because I do not want to give mine up!

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You might also be interested in my review of One Year of Great Songs of Faith.

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group/New Leaf Press; Har/Com edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892216905
• ISBN-13: 978-0892216901
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 0.7 inches