Customer Reviews

The Book of Kells: Reproductions from the Manuscript in Trinity College, Dublin

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An absolutely incredible facsimile of the Book of Kells (BoK). An essential for those who study Celtic Illumination. Pages are (very close to) original color and size and the detail shown is wonderful. Also the author's commentary is very good. I can't rave enough about this book, well worth the money.

One must actually see large color plates or the Book of Kells itself to know what all reviewers are talking about, when they, like myself, call this book "the most beautiful book in the world." It is really incredible, a most fascinating and comprehensive piece of work from an ancient period of time. And has life changed so very much since then? Reading this book with many descriptive illustrations, one might know.

To really understand the incredible drawings, also purchase the newly released video "The Book of Kells - The Work of Angels?" which tells what the illustrations were about and how they were created... many of the designs date from the Celtic gold work that was done at the time, and there are many interesting stories about life in the abbey, political intrigues, and other goings-on during this period of time.

This has been a favorite gift of mine to give to many people, who have seen the book in person in Ireland, but never really knew what it meant, until they saw the tape. The two go hand-in-hand together, and are worth any price.

There is also a new CD out with Kells images as well, which may well be worth purchasing ...

The original 1974 large edition book in a fabric slip case is the one I saved up all year for when I was a very poor college student, and started my life-long love of calligraphy.

This book is well worth any price, when Inspiration is your need or your calling.

A beautifully illustrated book, finely detailed, a wonderful source of inspiration for those interested in illuminated manuscripts and Celtic decorative art. Author Henry's years of research are evident: she knows her subject well. A lovely study of this original c. 9th century manuscript, often described as "the most beautiful book in the world."

Though it is now out of print, this book has over 100 color prints from the Book of Kells and is one defininitely looking for. The essays raise some interesting points, though not the most current points of dispute among scholars. The book would be wonderful for students, copyists, or anyone interested in a beautiful presentation of information on the most ornate of insular manuscripts.

The Book of Kells is one of the great masterpieces of early illuminated manuscripts. This book involved special colour photography of the manscript of all the major illustrative carpet pages - and a good sample of some of the "ordinary" illuminated script pages.

The images are reproduced at very close to the original size of the manuscript - which makes the detail in the carpet pages all that more astonishing when you realise how fine they really are. True minature work on a large scale.

The back of the book also includes close ups of illuminated page details which is very handy. If you can't afford to buy one of the full manuscript reproductions (and most of us can't) then this is probably the next best thing. The original 1970s edition of this book is published in hardcover with a slipcase making it that much more durable and attractive.

I was so happy when The Book of Kells arrived. I was so worried that I would not like the condition of the book for the amount of money that I spent. I was so wrong...this was one of the best purchases I have ever made and the service was great!