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Civilisations: How Do We Look / The Eye of Faith
Civilisations: How Do We Look / The Eye of Faith: As seen on TV | Mary Beard
15 posts | 8 read | 34 to read
Companion to the major new BBC documentary series CIVILISATIONS, presented by Mary Beard, David Olusoga and Simon Schama The idea of 'civilisation' has always been debated, even fought over. At the heart of those debates lies the big question of how people - from prehistory to the present day - have depicted themselves and others, both human and divine. Distinguished historian Mary Beard explores how art has shaped, and been shaped by, the people who created it. How have we looked at these images? Why have they sometimes been so contentious? In Part One, she examines how the human figure was portrayed in some of the earliest art in the world - from the gigantic stone heads carved by the Olmec of Central America to the statues and pottery of the ancient Greeks to the terracotta army of the first emperor of China. And she explains how one particular version of representing the human body, which goes back to the ancient world, still influences (and sometimes distorts) how people in the West see their own culture and that of others. Throughout this story, she is concerned not only with the artists who made images, but with those who have used them, viewed them and interpreted them. In other words: How Do We Look? In Part Two, Mary Beard turns to the relationship between art and religion. For centuries, religion has inspired art: from the Hindu temple at Angkor Wat to the Christian mosaics of Ravenna to the exquisite calligraphy of Islamic mosques. But making the divine visible in the human world has never been simple. All religions have wrestled with idolatry and iconoclasm, destroying art as well as creating it - and asking how to look with The Eye of Faith.
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kammartinez
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Pickpick

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ of 5 ⭐️s

So I think it's pretty much confirmed that I'm a fan of Mary Beard's work and will devour pretty much anything she puts out. She's got a way of telling a story and talking about complicated stuff without it being too dry, and without sacrificing information (and gets her hits against the patriarchy along the way). This book is no exception - even though it's definitely a bit on the lighter side in terms of info.

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shanaqui
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I only got to maybe 4 hours total with #24in48 in the end, but I finished the book on Seahenge and this one, so I'm OK with that. Beard's always fascinating, I think; I especially enjoyed the first section and its focus on how we've seen ourselves.

rockpools Finishing 2 books in a weekend is always a bonus! I‘m off to track down your Seahenge books... 6y
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AthenaWins
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Up next an ARC I received at ALA this year. Can't wait to dig in!

BarbaraTheBibliophage I liked her other recent book also. 6y
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quietlycuriouskate
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I think Mary Beard's pitch is spot-on. Her books are lively and accessible to the interested general reader without being light on content.

I enjoyed this take on art from the perspective of its viewers through the ages. Maybe that's a routine approach in academia but for me it made for an interesting alternative to the usual focus on the artist as genius/hero: "civilisation" means all of us, not just a handful of influential blokes in each age.

MuddyPuddle What a cool cover! 6y
Anna40 Sounds very interesting. Is she an art historian? 6y
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Moray_Reads
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An excellent art historical survey of the human form. Mary Beard had such a wonderful tone, accessible, wry and thoughtful. She considers the inextricable relationship between art, artist and viewer and how it both reflects and shapes the society and culture around us. Many thanks to @libby1 for sending me this lovely book

TrishB What a lovely picture 💕 6y
erzascarletbookgasm The saucer and the book cover match perfectly! 👌 ❤️ 6y
Booksnchill Stunning book 6y
LeahBergen Beautiful photo! 6y
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Sophoclessweetheart
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4/5 star 💫 A fascinating and interesting look into how human shape has been sculpted and painted from ancient civilisations through to today. As well as how we look at religious art and sculpture throughout history. It was a fun and quick read and puts light on a few sculptures I‘ve been curious about. Mary Beard can do no wrong in my eyes. #marybeard #ancientcivilisations #nonfiction #history #booklover #bookblogger #bookish #bookaddict

ephemeralwaltz This cover! 😍😍 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @ephemeralwaltz It‘s so lovely, isn‘t it? 😹 6y
laurieluna Glad you enjoyed it! I found it a great way to dip my toes into her work! 😊 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @miralunasbooknook She‘s so wonderful. I adored Confronting the Classics x 6y
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Sophoclessweetheart
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6/8 hours into #8intwo and I‘m pretty pleased I decided to stay up late and read. I have to start revision for my exam tomorrow so I‘m hoping to get this book finished and start another before then. Perfect excuse to read, it‘s Sunday morning, the baby is snuggled in my lap watching Pingu with her owl. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I can read while she does that, right? 😹 #ancientcivilization #nonfiction #marybeard #booklover #bibliophile #bookaddict #bookblogger

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Sophoclessweetheart
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This book though. I‘m about 1/8 hour into #8intwo so far and Mary Beard does not hold back, does she? Erotic Greek vases ahoy! 😹😹 I actually snorted. These are the things that make studying the Greeks so fascinating, I‘m sure. #ancientcivilization #nonfiction #mythology #booklover #bibliophile #bookaddict #bookstagram #bookblogger

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Sophoclessweetheart
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These are my choices for #8intwo mini-readathon starting tonight until Sunday night. Thank you @25infive for hosting. It‘s going to be fun! 🙌🖤 #historicalfiction #bibliophile #bookaddict #booklover #bookstagram #bookblogger #nonfiction #ancientcivilization #greekmythology #25infive

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Sophoclessweetheart
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Going to spend the evening drinking copious amounts of coffee and reading Mary Beard. How will you spend your evening? #booklover #bookblogger #bibliophile #greek #roman #ancientcivilisations #classics #classicist

Schnoebs Once evening comes around I need to take my butt to work but I‘m still at the point of the morning where I‘m debating if I really want to get out of bed yet 😂 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @Schnoebs Favourite time of the morning that. 😹😹🖤 6y
ephemeralwaltz That's a great plan! 6y
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Slajaunie I am going to hit the couch to read. My husband is the cook so no worries! 6y
somebooksaround 🙌🙌 6y
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Sophoclessweetheart
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I‘ve decided to start this has my next read. It‘s slim and glossy and I‘ll probably finish it quickly then I can go onto an Achilles reread 💁🏼‍♀️ Almost made its decision for me. #marybeard #classicsstudent #classicist #ancientcivilization #nonfiction #bibliophile #bookaddict #booklover #bookblogger #bookstagram

ephemeralwaltz Lovely!! I've been wanting to read some Mary Beard ASAP. 6y
bnp This sounds fascinating. 6y
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Sophoclessweetheart
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My “favourite” time of all, the choosing of my next read. I‘m torn between rereading the Song of Achilles before reading Circe or reading How Do We Look first. I rationalise that the Beard book is new and Miller is a reread but I‘m going to have to reread it before I start Circe anyway so 🤷🏼‍♀️ Where to begin! #greekmythology #classicist #classicsstudent #bibliophile #bookaddict #booklover #bookblogger #bookstagram #bookishcandles

laurieluna I loved the Mary Beard! I have circe but haven't read Miller's first, I don't think they lead on from each other? Xx 6y
Sophoclessweetheart I love Mary Beard. 🖤🖤 You need to read Song of Achilles, it will break your heart and soul. It‘s a masterpiece. They don‘t particularly lead on no but any excuses for a reread xx 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @miralunasbooknook ☝️ Forgot to tag you lol x 6y
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laurieluna
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Started last night, finished tonight! Hope that demonstrates how much I enjoyed this. I love history and art, but it has always seemed like such a wide subject to get involved in or read about. When I saw this book I thought I'd give it a go and I'm glad I did. It obviously isn't a comprehensive guide to art history, but Mary touches on those profound pieces of art that have impacted on civilisation, as in the way we look at ourselves and others.⬇

laurieluna The book is in 2 parts, the second part addresses the body, and how humans are represented in art historically, and the second part is religious art, and it's impact on civilisation. A quick and really easy read, I recommend this for anyone interested in art history looking to dip their toes! 7y
laurieluna Meant to say *first part in the above comment! 7y
Moray_Reads @libby1 was kind enough to send me a copy of this today so I'm thrilled by a good review! 7y
laurieluna @Moray_Reads brilliant! I usually struggle with non fiction books like this, prefering to watch TV documentaries but I'm trying to be more adventurous with my reading. I'll definitely be picking up more of Mary's works, this was really interesting! 7y
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Moray_Reads
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How lovely to find this unexpected surprise from @Libby1 waiting for me at home. I've been meaning to read more of Mary Beard and this one looks fascinating. Thank you so much!

Krisjericho That looks fascinating! 7y
TrishB Lovely ❤️ 7y
Libby1 Yippee! I‘m glad it‘s arrived safely. I had prepared it to send before Easter but I was busy with house guests. I hope you‘re well and that you‘ll enjoy the book and treats. 🦋 7y
Moray_Reads @Libby1 I've already opened the mini eggs even if it feels wrong to eat them while reading about the siege of Leningrad... Thanks so much it was a lovely surprise x 7y
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laurieluna
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Boys are asleep so I'm going to have a read of this. Only 210 pages so hoping I can tackle a 100 of those before I start nodding. A fair few pictures and large writing so it should be managable. My walk out today plus time spent in the sun plus some more time tidying the house has helped clear my head. Little rituals like just keeping spaces clutter free really helps in getting my mind to focus.

Sophoclessweetheart Please let me know how this is. I keep looking at it in Asda. 😹😹💛 7y
laurieluna @Wanderingwithwords really enjoying it so far. I've never read any of Mary Beard's books before. I love the subject matter (art and it's relation to civilisation in a historical and modern context) but usually find books on the subject hard to read as they're so often written for other academics and they use 5x as many words as necessary. Mary is straight to the point, and it's easy to absorb 7y
laurieluna @Wanderingwithwords so I would recommend! Xx 7y
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Sophoclessweetheart I love Mary Beard and really enjoyed her book Confronting the Classics. Hearing this I may have to grab it next grocery day! 😍😹 7y
laurieluna @Wanderingwithwords I got it for £6.99 on book depository 😊 not sure how that compares though, I know supermarkets can be really cheap sometimes! 7y
Sophoclessweetheart I think it was Qe at Asda. Thanks though! ?? I find I always check the supermarket when doing groceries because they have some bargains! Books as little as Qa or 2 for Qf and most new releases as little as Qd-10 ??? 7y
laurieluna @Wanderingwithwords yep! I always walk away with at least 1 in the trolley everytime we go shopping 🙈 got a paperback of Neil Gaimans Norse Mythology for £4 in Sainsburys last time! X 7y
Sophoclessweetheart Oh! That‘s a good deal! I‘ve been after that one. May need to try Sainsbury‘s lol x 7y
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