Taking the Waters: Spirit, Art, Sensuality

by Alev Lytle Croutier

Illustrated with a diverse collection of historic and contemporary artwork, a study of the spiritual and sensual attractions of water traces the evolution of spas from prehistoric times to the present. By the author of Harem.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Art

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

Alev Croutier was born in Turkey. She has written and directed award-winning independent films and was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship (the first ever for a screenplay) for her work on Tell Me a Riddle. She is the author of the internationally acclaimed bestseller Harem: The World Behind the Veil. She divides her time between San Francisco and Paris.

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well illustrated glossy book is a wonderful survey of the world of the history of water and its influence on art and culture. There is a survey of the myths of the sirens, mermaids and various monsters of the deep. The last portion of the book is a survey of the legendary spas of Europe. If you love the idea of the healing redemptive powers of water, this is a book for you.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lush and lovely book. She has a personable and easily relateable writing style that really makes me feel as if I am part of the experiences she is relating as well as makes me want to rush out and experience the spas themselves.
I love the art that was chosen, it adds to the richness of the book and compliments her writing wonderfully.

[Kate Selner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graphically sensual, utterly gorgeous illustrations through artistic means, this book is a rich description of the role water has played throughout time, over centuries and class, from humble drinking water to the history of the bath. The photos alone make it worth a few silent hours.

[Isblue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Nothing new, but the pictures were pretty. zzzzzzz