Customer Reviews

The Book of Fabulous Beasts: A Treasury of Writings from Ancient Times to the Present

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This must be the definitive text when it comes to a compendium of fabulous beasts. The choice of entries is excellent and expansive, the accompanying editorial insightful. Should become a classic.

If you only buy one book about legendary & mythical creatures, this should be it. The selection is excellent. Good for research, browsing, or reading through. The historical ordering of the texts, as opposed to by creature, was an interesting choice; I had to grow to like it, but when I read the book through I found it gave me a sense of discovery, and since the book is well indexed it is easy to research particular animals as well. Just what you would expect from Oxford.

Joseph Nigg's books are always a treat and this one does not disappoint. Arresting images and informative content, and well researched. Highly recommended for anyone curious about the lore and legacy of mythological creatures from antiquity to modern times.

If you like this book, then you should pick up Nick Bantock's (of Gryphon & Sabine fame), " Averse to Beasts," a book with cassette whose beastiary art is a wonderful companion piece to this definitive text.