"The celebrated art nouveau architect Antoni Gaudâi was a contradictory figure: deeply religious and politically right-wing, he nevertheless created revolutionaly, lyrical buildings. This book explores Gaudâi's life, work and influences, from Catalan nationalism to the Industrial Revolution. Michael Eaude expertly guides readers through Gaudâi's great works--including the Sagrada Famâilia, which attracts millions of tourists to Barcelona each year--and examines his monumental life, from the architect's provincial upbringing in Reus to his time in Barcelona, where he became a dandy whose only attempt at marriage was rejected. Gaudâi later suffered a nervous breakdown, became obsessively religious, and fused Gothic, Baroque and Orientalist architecture into his unique style" --