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