Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts

Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts chronicles twelve significant medieval texts through direct encounters with the physical manuscripts themselves. The author travels to libraries and archives across Europe and North America to examine these rare documents in person. Each chapter focuses on a different manuscript, describing its creation, historical context, and journey through time. The works include the Book of Kells, the Copenhagen Psalter, and other essential documents from the medieval period that shaped religious and intellectual life. De Hamel combines manuscript studies with travelogue elements, documenting the modern experience of accessing and handling these ancient texts. The book provides details about the manuscripts' materials, construction methods, and conservation status while recounting the institutional procedures and security measures surrounding their examination. The work stands as both a history of medieval book production and a meditation on how historical artifacts connect the present to the past. Through these twelve manuscripts, broader patterns emerge about the transmission of knowledge and the evolution of European literary culture.

Readers describe this as a travelogue-style exploration that makes medieval manuscripts accessible and engaging. Many note that de Hamel's personal, conversational tone helps demystify complex historical topics. Readers appreciated: - Detailed descriptions that bring manuscripts to life - Blend of history, detective work, and personal anecdotes - High-quality photographs and illustrations - Clear explanations of technical terminology Common criticisms: - Length and detail can become overwhelming - Some sections feel repetitive - Print too small in paperback edition - Price point for hardcover edition Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (380+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Like being given a private tour by the world's most knowledgeable guide" -Goodreads reviewer "The author's enthusiasm is infectious, but the book requires commitment" -Amazon reviewer "Would have benefited from more and larger images" -LibraryThing reviewer

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🔍 De Hamel spent 25 years as the chief manuscript specialist at Sotheby's auction house, handling some of the world's rarest medieval documents. 📚 The book won the Wolfson History Prize in 2017, one of the most prestigious awards for historical writing in the UK. 📜 One of the manuscripts featured in the book, the Copenhagen Psalter, was so valuable it required armed guards and a police escort when transported. ✒️ Many medieval manuscripts discussed in the book took years to create, with some individual pages requiring months of detailed work by skilled artisans. 🌍 The research for this book involved traveling over 50,000 miles to visit manuscripts in their current locations, crossing multiple continents and gaining special access to heavily restricted collections.