Customer Reviews

Islamic Design: A Genius for Geometry (Wooden Books)

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

 

 

I first encountered the Wooden Books series in a little bookshop in New Orleans' Garden District. Their small size were the perfect juxtaposition to their weighty (sometimes arcane) subjects. I was hooked immediately. Not every Wooden Book lives up to the series' promise, but Islamic Design certainly does -- a worthy addition to any collection.

This book gives an interesting taste of Islamic design, but it is not clear what the author intended to accomplish. The subtitle is "A genius for geometry," and the book does show some designs that are both geometrically cleaver and very beautiful. But the book consists of a series of very short chapters that have little or no continuity, and I would be surprised to find anyone has succeeded in reading the book through from beginning to end. There is little said about the historical development of these designs within Islamic tradition, and nothing at all informing readers that Islamic design developed from earlier Roman (Pagan), and Byzantine (Christian) sources. Readers hoping to learn how to actually draw these, or similar, designs will almost certainly need the help of other books.

I ordered three similar books and this one, the smallest and least fussy of the bunch, was the best. Its description of the genesis and generation of the patters was clear and straightforward, without a lot of overly technical mumbo jumbo. The graphic depiction of the patterns was attractive and clear.

all of these wooden books series are so impressive.......none of these books are very expensive, 10$ at most, small and to the point...i am so glad i've bought most of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't looked at it in too much detail but it has plenty of cool, trippy looking geometrical patterns. It actually shows you how to make all these patterns as well. Nice.

My husband had this on his wish list, and I got it for him for his birthday. So far he is really enjoying it!

I just recommend, not only about this book, but all the books from this publisher, they are a delight.