This book, which commemorates the tercentenary of John Wood's birth, examines how old myths inspired John Wood, and how new myths grew up about him. In the 18th century - the Age of Enlightenment - long-held beliefs on religion, history, and science were all in turmoil.

Old theories were challenged, discarded and reinvented. Many and varied were the hypotheses put forward by thinkers of the age. Among those who put their minds to work on these problems was a young architect from Bath - John Wood.

From ideas then current about the Druids and Stonehenge, he built a mythical history for the City of Bath, based around the legendary King Bladud. From being a minor figure, Wood promoted him into being a genius, savant and magician, descended from the Trojans.

These myths were to inspire John Wood's buildings. Little is known of Wood's early life, and as interest in him grew over the years, speculations became facts - yet many were just as mythical as Wood's own fables. This is the story of THE MYTH-MAKER.

 Paperback 96 pages 234x156 41 full colour illustrations 32 b&w illustrations

ISBN:978-0-9546138-2-2