Customer Reviews

In the Beginning: The Art of Genesis: A Pop-Up Book

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This is an absolutely stunning book. I love pop up books because they draw you more into the book. It's 3D and you can look at it from all different angles to get a better feel of the book. Genesis is a great book to do a pop up version of as there are lots of wonderful stories to be told. All the familiar stories are there and families will be able to show the pop up and then can go back and read the Bible story behind it. My favorite is Jacob's Dream and the Ladder to Heaven. There's a beautiful stained glass pop up display that towers in front of you. Equally as impressive is the Tower of Babel display which just jumps out at you from the book.There's pullouts with replicas of ancient artwork. I love the research that went into recreating them. I will say just because it is a pop up book does not mean its for kids. The pop ups are rather fragile. It's not just pictures, there is a description of the scene with the history and background. There are also classical paintings incorporated in the art which does include nude paintings therefore it's probably not recommended for young children. There is nothing graphic but little ones might might have a lot of questions when seeing them. It's a beautiful book to put on your coffee table and read with the whole family. I think it would be wonderful to have every book of the Bible in pop up form! If you are a visual learner and love art, this is the book for you.

When I first opened this gorgeous volume, I thought that it was a special book for an older child--someone who would understand how to treasure such a piece of art. However, upon closer inspection, I realize this is no children's book. This is for adults who can properly appreciate not only the artwork--which is breathtaking--but also value the art history included. For centuries, the book of Genesis has been told by artists through their work. Copies of those masterpieces are used to illustrate the text, giving the reader much more than they would expect from a pop-up book.

Details are amazing. The Tower of Babel measures 16" in height. Jacob's dream is like a stained glass window (inside a book!). Hold it up to the light for a breath-catching treat. There's a time line of Joseph's life.

More than a children's book, I can see this as a special gift for an art history enthusiast, a lover of the Bible, or as a coffee table volume. What a conversation piece!

The Biblical book of Genesis has been the subject of great art works for many years, and is the inspiration for Chuck Fischer in creating this book. In these six pop-up scenes, he shows in majestic format: the creation, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Noah's Ark, the tower of Babel, Jacob's ladder, and Joseph in Egypt.

These stunning works also include attached booklets that tell the Biblical story that goes with the scene, as well as exploring its meaning, and sharing other great art works that have touched on these stories.

In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Chuck Fischer has created a masterpiece, taking the book of Genesis to a new dimension in these spectacular pop-up scenes. This beautiful book would be perfect for anyone who enjoys great art and Biblical stories.

Reviewer: Alice Berger, Bergers Book Reviews

I purchased this book sight unseen as a gift for my five-year-old, knowing that she loves pop-up books and thinking that this is a good introduction to reading scripture.

Well- it seems almost insulting to refer to this as a "pop-up." It is, in itself, an incredible work of art and feat of engineering that surprises and awes with every turn of the page. I'd like to keep it out and open as a sculpture.

It is, however, not so much a collection of well-known stories of the book of Genesis as it is an art history lesson. A beautiful thing for children to see, a difficult thing for them to comprehend at bedtime.

Regardless, I bought three more copies. One for myself, of course.

Chuck Fischer bought a 1960's copy of The Golden Children's Bible. That book and a trip to Rome inspired him (along with Bruce Foster and Curtis Flowers) to create another gorgeous pop-up book.

In The Beginning: The Art of Genesis is a stunning pop-up book for adults. You really cannot appreciate the beauty of this book without seeing it in person. This book tells several stories from the book of Genesis - the Garden of Eden, Noah's Ark, the Tower of Babel, Jacob's Ladder and Joseph in Egypt. The text gives a nice overview of each story and the beautiful artwork and breathtaking pop-ups bring the stories to life. One page even includes stained glass!

I was able to sit down and read the text in one short sitting, but the text is just a small part of the book. I find myself picking it up to look through it over and over again, and I pick a different page as my favorite each time that I do. In The Beginning is fantastic and I think it would make a great holiday gift. You do not need to believe in the Bible to enjoy this book.

Older children and adults will marvel at this incredible pop-up art book for the mature reader. Chuck Fischer's latest volume uses magnificent works by world famous artists on display in myriad museums and churches to intelligently retell and analyze the dramatic stories that open the Bible. The vision is that of the artist inspired by the Book of Genesis, rather than the clergyman, as the sub-title honestly announces. Fischer chooses sensational bible tales: Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah, Tower of Babel, Jacob's Ladder and Joseph. After summarizing these familiar plots, author Curtis Flowers discusses the ideas behind these indelible stories and their powerful, wrathful, covenanting God. Flowers briefly parses creation, expulsion, divine promises, angels, dreams, brotherly rivalry, betrayal and relationships that bind us. The sound, interesting text is ecumenical rather than Jewish and includes Christian terms in its analysis. The art, on canvas, on glass, in sculpture, draws readers to the book. Large two-page spreads pop up incredibly sturdy, intricate, high designs that symbolize the narrative under discussion; tiny books inside tiny books in the lower corners contain the text. The engineering and the artistic vision are wondrous show stoppers. Incorporating canvases from Bosch, Brueghel, Cranach, Domenichino, Michelangelo, Raphael, Rubens, Tiepolo and many others, Fischer delivers a glorious book, certain to stimulate discussion, to encourage guessing the artist and to offer a joyous return to youth in manipulating the pages. Ellen Cole

What another wonderful book by Chuck Fischer!!! He successfully gathers highlights from the book of Genesis and art-forms (as is, trans-forms) you into the stories! They are easily written to introduce a young child to the stories, as well as "eye-candy" for them to remain focused for quite a while. It also easily entertains the adult reader as to reminding them the stories, and can prod you into deeper reading at a later time, all the while "oohhing over the art and paper engineering.

His artwork is unsurpassed in the wood work reproduction. Each page has a different feel to it, yet a common ribbon runs through and ties up this treasured book for a wonderful present for yourself or loved ones! Can't wait for his next book!

Love this book its very good, not sure about the religious content but the pop up art is great¡¡¡¡¡¡

My favourite the babel towe, highly recomended

21 Jan 09

Product was fine, quick service, price right, what more can you ask. Delivery to door beats drive to town

cfm

I purchased this book for use in my pre-teen Sunday School class--I know pop-ups are impressive to kids and these are quite amazing in and of themselves. I would not leave this book alone with the kids, though, the fragility issue is a concern and it would be easy to ruin the book if used unsupervised. Also, I am not inclined to refer to any of related booklets on each page containing additional Western art and commentaries on the events. In order to cut down on the Western art (and the nudity concern one reader mentioned) and forgoe the commentaries, I have used adhesive and simply glued those little art/comments booklets together so they don't open. Having done so, one can enjoy the pop-ups without great concern. I think it's a great visual aid to well known Old Testament accounts and I will use it with just a little alteration to fit the needs of my class.