Customer Reviews

Dragons: A Natural History

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

 

 

As both a professional graphics designer and a fan of all things dragonian, I cannot praise this book enough! It is one of the most beautiful-looking books I have ever seen, and for dragon lovers everywhere it is THE book to get if you want to have all the best illustrations of dragons together in one book. With page after page of glorious full-colour masterpieces by such artistic geniuses as Leonardo da Vinci, Uccello, Fuseli, and many other world-famous classic painters, as well as modern artists like Arthur Rackham, it is very difficult to take your eyes away from the pics and read the text! But you should do, because Shuker does a great job retelling famous and not-so-famous dragon legends and folkstories, and adding lots of fascinating factual info too. If there is anyone out there who doesn't like this book, especially its artwork, they have no understanding or love of art or beauty, because this wonderful book is filled with both. A real joy and treasure to view and to own. Well done to the author and the publishers! And don't take too long before you bring out another one like it!

Fans of DR. Shuker should be advised that this book is about dragons as they are thought of in culture and mythology. While an excellent text in that area, it is not a book in his usual field of cryptozoology.

Many people who have read other works by the author will expect the book to be about surviving dinosaurs, winged serpents, and other dragonlike entities reported to exist in parts of Africa and elsewhere. anyone expecting this will come away disapointed.

If you are a fan of cryptozoology, this book is not for you. If however, you are looking for mythological references and the like, you will be very pleased with this book. in that regard, it is unsurpassed.

This book is pretty good, but it's not what the title says. It is not a 'natural history' of dragons. It's more of a collection of dragon myths. I thought it would be a natural history. It's really not. If you want something like that, get Karin Johnsgard's 'Dragons and Unicorns: a Natural History'. Karl Shuker's book is a good collection of myths, however,and I suggest it to dragon lovers.

This book includes a wonderful collection of dragon related artwork, including pictures of paintings, engravings, and figurines dating through the ages. This is a great overview of the scope of mankind's imagination about dragons.

Unfortunately, the text was a little disappointing. I was hoping for a bit more detail about the history of dragonlore and how it has evolved through the ages. Instead, this is largely a collection of disparate dragon legends and myths. Its not bad for what it is, but isn't what I was expecting.

One of the reviewers of this book has denigrated the illustrations. This is hard to understand as the glorious illustrations are one of the many highlights of this book. I think the reviewer may be thinking of another book on dragons with a similar cover. Karl Shuker's book, however, includes a wonderful selection of excellent paintings and illustrations from artists which include da Vinci and others.

A wounderful addition for the student of mythology and folklore or just anyone who likes dragons. The stories are well written and a pleasure to read. Has great descriptions on well known dragons as well as not so well known dragons. Also includes thoughts on what may have inspired the different dragon myths. I just love this book.

Is it not strange that all the ancient cultures,had a "Dragon Myth" ? And that their developing civilizations had no real contact with each other,since human migration over the dividing 'pan-gaia', continued on. Well,this book is the best dragon book ,that i have read yet.You be the judge!

I particularly enjoyed the multi-ethnic approach to dragon lore. This book contained legendary and historical accounts of encounters with dragons and other 'worms' that I had not previously read. Leaves the reader with much to ponder on the source of this universal mythical beast.

this book was drab, dull, and had illustrations that could have been done better by a third-grader. don't waste your time or money.

This book was AWFUL. It gave just about no information, what information it does give is either incomplete, obvious, or dull. Also, the illustrations are terrible, they're like a 5-year old trying to imitate Picasso.