The Complete Book of Heraldry [Hardcover]

Stephen Slater (Author)

Book Description

Accessible and contemporary in style, this book is a clear introduction to novices and contains much of interest to the expert. It is lavishly illustrated with newly commissioned art.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Complete Book of Heraldry looks not only at the medieval world in which it thrived, but at the language it used and the elaborate system of coded messages it conveyed, and its inextricable link with chivalry.

About the Author

Stephen Slater is a council member of The Heraldry Society of England and is active in other regional heraldic organizations. He has lectured widely throughout Britain and Europe on a variety of heraldic subjects, in particular his heraldic forays around Europe and his specific interest in the heraldry of Wiltshire, England. Stephen Slater writes articles on heraldry for numerous publications and has collaborated on several books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Anness; First Edition edition (November 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0754810623
• ISBN-13: 978-0754810629
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #732,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wide ranging survey, January 15, 2003

By 

G. A. Findlay "Gordon" (Christchurch New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Book of Heraldry (Hardcover)

This is a very wide-ranging survey of the heraldry of the world, with some very delightful illustrations.

This book covers both historical and contemporary issues, from the need for coat armour in mediaeval warfare to modern air-force insignia.

It doesn't spend a lot of space on blazon: just enough to get you started. But it does include right up-to-the-minute information about many countries and subfields, from Scandanavia to Japan, and from medical heraldry to armour.

My only criticism: it is very light on coverage of Scotland, which is arguably the country with the best developed and most enforced heraldic code in the world.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heraldry... a good place to start, May 2, 2006

By 

Anita C. Challis "I like things that work pro... (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Complete Book of Heraldry (Hardcover)

Republished in 2003, this book is one of the most up-to-date reviews of heraldry. It is easier to read than Fox-Davies "Complete Guide to Heraldry" and the graphics used to describe colors, field divisions and ordinaries are excellent teaching tools.

I would like to see more examples of the types of ordinaries used, however those that are in the book are excellent.

This is a good book for those who would like an introduction to heraldry. For anyone beginning heraldry in the SCA (Society of Creative Anachronism), this is an excellent and reliable reference book and recommended throughout the group

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best book for begginers, October 11, 2005

By 

Joao Diogo S. Barroca "JB" (Portugal) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Book of Heraldry (Hardcover)

I think this is the best book I could have asked for to get started in heraldry. It is detailed, colourful and very informative, and it covers almost all topics of interest in heraldry. An excellent way to get your foot into heraldry, a must buy.