John Leonard's comprehensive study of London's parish churches was first published in 1997. This new edition, illustrated with over 200 new colour photographs by the author, brings the story up to date. It is both an historical account of the evolution of London's churches from their Anglo-Saxon beginnings to the dawn of the twenty-first century, and also an invaluable guide to over 120 of the finest parish churches in the capital.

London contains a very high proportion of the greatest post-Reformation churches in the country, and all the surviving medieval and Wren churches in the City of London are here, along with plans of many Wren and Hawksmoor churches. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries are also well represented, including a generous selection of inspiring modern churches, ending with St Paul, Harringay (1992) and St Barnabas, Dulwich (1997).

Hardback, Size 160x240mm. 352 pages, 16 black and white plans plus 200 colour images. Price £39.95
ISBN: 978-1-904965-33-6

Available from November 2011.

Arguably, the most significant stylistic development in the nineteenth century was the Gothic Revival; it ended Classicism's long domination of English architecture and laid the foundations for a range of pioneering movements later in the century. The impetus for the revival can be traced to a number of diverse influences, but its physical manifestations were the products of a series of outstanding visionary architects, each of whom added his own particular contribution to the movement.

The book identifies six of these individuals whose careers span the late-Georgian and Victorian periods and who made exceptional contributions to the foundations, development or refinement of the style. They are: John Carter, Thomas Rickman, Thomas Taylor, R.C. Carpenter, G.E. Street, J.T. Micklethwaite. An introduction is followed by a substantial, illustrated chapter on each of these men which examines their lives, training, philosophy and buildings as a means of establishing their role in the revival. Their significance has long been recognised, but all await a comprehensive monograph.

This is volume 1 in a series titled Spire Studies in Architectural History.

Hardback, Size 160x240mm. 240 pages, 113 black and white illustrations. Price £34.95
ISBN: 978-1-904965-34-3

Available early 2012.