In the land of the temple caves : from St. Emilion to Paris's St. Sulpice : notes on art and the human spirit

“I just plain loved In the Land of Temple Caves . Frederick Turner makes a compelling case for civility organized in response to culture–shaping art as our most ancient source of saving graces. Beautifully said, humanely thought out, the story he tells is particularly useful in these sorrowful times. Read, and take heart!” —William Kittredge, author of The Willow Field In the Land of Temple Caves travels back to the very beginning of Art to assess anew its meanings in the long human story. Frederick Turner makes a personal investigation of sanctuaries in France and Spain that the great mythographer Joseph Campbell called the “temple caves,” the earliest known of which contains paintings and engravings more than 32,000 years old, works of art more advanced than the hunting implements by which their creators lived. In caves and prehistoric shelters, along the valleys tracing the mighty rivers of the Ice Age, in a war–ravaged village, and in a city church far removed from the country of the caves, Turner finds resonant meaning in what he has always believed to be true. Art does matter—vitally—and never more than now. In September 2001, When Civilization Seemed To Have Unraveled, Author Turner Undertook A Quest For Confirmation That Art Does Matter, That It Is The Preeminent Human Expression Of The Life Force--as Necessary As Air. This Book Goes Back To The Very Beginning Of Art To Assess Anew Its Meanings In The Long Human Story. Turner Journeys To Investigate Sanctuaries In France And Spain That Mythographer Joseph Campbell Called Temple Caves, The Earliest Known Of Which Contains Paintings More Than 32,000 Years Old--works Of Art Far More Advanced Than The Hunting Implements By Which Their Creators Lived. He Ends His Journey In Paris's St. Sulpice. In The Caves And Prehistoric Shelters, Along The Valleys Tracing The Mighty Rivers Of The Ice Age, In A War-ravaged Village, And In A City Church Far Removed From The Country Of The Caves, Turner Finds Resonant Meaning.--from Publisher Description. St.-emilion -- Time Travel -- Art And Crisis -- In The Cave Of The Hundred Mammoths -- Tasting The Past -- Venus And The Castle -- Life Against Death -- Balance -- Oradour-sur-glane -- Dream Of The Mythic Past -- The Mark Of The Bear -- La Ferrassie -- The Weight Of The Past -- Balzac Versus Hitler -- Degenerate Art -- Reading A Forgotten Language -- In The Hall Of The Past -- St.-sulpice. Frederick Turner. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 197-200). The autumnal sun flowed over the gentle hills and their vineyards, mellow, golden as the exhalation of an ancient god whose presence here on earth had been softened by centuries of celebration followed by centuries of reverent neglect. One of the nation's premier naturalists argues that art does matter, moving back and forth from ice age caves to nearby country churches while traveling in France in search of the true and beautiful. 30,000 first printing.