I received the most interesting looking book Monday (right before leaving for FL) - Cluny: In Search of God's Lost Empire by Edwin Mullins. Prior to the 16th century, Cluny (built near Burgundy, France) was the largest house of worship for Christians. It is apparently rubble now (or buried under parking lots and shopping centers) although all sorts of folks are trying to sort out the ruins to make it a destination place again. Mullins has gone into the history of the abbey however, seeking to bring it to life again on the page. There are medieval monks, sacred music, illuminated manuscripts and all manner of stories of conquest and crusades. There is even love - between Heloise and Abelard. It's not usually my thing, but it sounds fascinating. I'm taking it along for the vacation and looking forward to reading it.

(The publisher is Bluebridge Books - a small press that is certainly worth checking out for nonfiction - the site is not up yet.)