Beguiled by the Wild: The Art of Charley Harper [Hardcover]

Charley Harper (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: Flower Valley Press (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962054372
• ISBN-13: 978-0962054372
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 11.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Mixture of Art, Science, and Humor, August 10, 2001

By 

"wyeomyia" (East Haven, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beguiled by the Wild: The Art of Charley Harper (Hardcover)

Beguiled by the Wild is a complete collection of limited edition prints by wildlife artist Charley Harper that spans three decades of his career. The captions printed in the book are the original versions that were issued with each print. The prints have long been sold out and this book represents the only published collection of his work. A rare self-interview and introduction by Roger Caras are the only additional text. Each page brings to life an example of Charley's unique ability to combine humor, art, and science. Readers will be hard-pressed to flip through the pages of this coffee table book without stopping at almost every page to learn the message inherent with each piece. Charley's unusual style, which he calls "minimal realism", catches the eye and draws a smile. Often a maze of bright colors and geometric shapes dominates the scene making an initial interpretation puzzling. Reading the caption usually provides insight into the biology of selected insects, birds and mammals, which is often whimsical and always factual. "Armadittos", for example, depicts and inverted armadillo mother suckling a line of four pups in a circle of pine needles. The caption describes how armadillos always reproduce with four genetically identical quaruplets of the same sex (and they live in pine forests of the southern states). Similary, "Jesus Bugs" depicts a group of water strider insects with large circles surrounding each of their six feet, which also form circular shadows under the water. Only an entomologist would know that these circles represent depressions on the water surface caused by minute foot hairs that keep the insects from sinking. This artist has attracted a large audience of amateur and professional biologists who should get their hands on a copy of this book before it too goes out of print.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Coffee table book for lovers of animals & modern art, May 1, 2000

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Beguiled by the Wild: The Art of Charley Harper (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful coffee table book for anyone who loves animals and modern art. In his unusual style, the artist brings animals to life with geometric precision. The more I look at the art, the more I like it.

Many types of animals are included. There are lots of birds, as well as insects, sea life, dogs, and cats. Forest, farm and African animals are also included. Many of the drawing as well as the anecdotes with them are quite humorous.

Some of my favorites are a raccoon hanging upside down, two whales hugging, a baby harp seal & one of a blue jay bathing. I also especially liked "Love on a limb" featuring two monkeys with their tails entwined.

My all time favorite is called "The Wedding Feast." It features two praying mantis mating. The caption below it is quite funny. There is a nice index in the back of the over 125 plates shown in the book.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only OK..., February 4, 2008

By 

Book Worm (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beguiled by the Wild: The Art of Charley Harper (Hardcover)

I purchased this book, largely based upon the reviews on Amazon and the the fact that it was the only book on Charley Harper on the market at the time.

While I L O V E Charley Harper's work, I don't think this book does him justice. There is little to no design to the book and a very limited selection of Charley's work.

Spend a few dollars more and get Todd Oldham's Illustrated Life book...I just received mine and it is beautiful. I don't think it has all of Charley's work, but it must have most of it. There's a great interview of Charley by Todd Oldham, as well.