Customer Reviews

The Master of Illusions: Pictures to Ponder from a Visual Virtuoso

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

 

 

I bought this book based on another optical illusion book, Masters of Deception, which included this artist's work. However, the colored pencil art in the current book does not have the presence of most of the work in the earlier book. There are a great many optical illusions presented here, some novel and interesting, many simply variations on optical illusions (by this artist and others) that we've see many times before. Generally, it lacks the finesse and painterly beauty of the best work in the earlier work. As an artist myself, I hate to trash another artist's work, and I don't want to trash Sandro Del-Prete's art, but ... given how long he has been doing art, I was expecting something a bit more accomplished than this. It isn't that he exactly lacks drafting skill; he just doesn't seem all that interested in clean lines and clear execution: it all seems a little rough.

Trying to write a review on this book is somewhat like trying to decipher an Optical Illusion.
This book really should be rated in comparison to its "companion book" ,"Masters of Deception" by Al Seckel.Both of these books are published by Sterling Publishing,in my opinion,today's leader in publishing books on Puzzles,Optical Illusions,Mathematical Recreations,etc.In fact "Masters of Deception" is even shown on the rear flap of the dust jacket of this book.They are both about the same size,cost and high quality,etc.
"Masters of Deception" was published first ,in 2004.It received a 5* overall rating and had 39 Reviews.I wrote one on November 30,2004.It was a compendium of Optical Illusions from over 20 artists ,and is excellent in every respect;and even included some by Sandro Del-Prete.In my opinion ,it is as good as any book on the subject.
In this book,the work of only one artist,Del-Prete is covered.
At first glance ,when I first saw it on the bookshelf,I thought it was the earlier book ,but with a different image on the coverEven the colors on the cover are the same.This book was published in June,2008,most likely as a result of "Deception" being so well received.A look at the reviews shows that it received only a 3 1/2* overall rating,based on only 2 reviews,one of 5*,and the other of 2*.
In my humble opinion,this book is excellent when ,and if ,one looks at it on its own merits;but has a lot to compete with when comparing it to "Deceptions".The reason for this is that "Deceptions" has the works of so many and different artists and styles.However; with "Illusions" one gets a much more complete overall appreciation of the varied work of one artist.Hence;it is somewhat unfair to compare the two books;but it is just the natural thing to do if one sees both of them.
There have been lots of books published on Optical Illusions ,and particularly on the works of the artists in these two books. What is different about these two books though;is that they stress the more "arty" examples of Illusions,Deceptions,Hidden Images,Trompe L'Oeil,etc.;as opposed to the more "graphic" examples.It's almost like there are two sources of inspiration for these interesting ,fascinating and amusing works and what results differs depending whether the artist is an artist or mathematician.To the person who looks at these illusions ,it doesn't really matter;and we benefit from the combination os these two talents.
Don't let my ramblings about comparing these two books influence your decision as to their purchase.They are both excellent,but different.One thing for sure ,anyone who enjoys Illusions,Deceptions,etc.,will find them both fascinating.

I want my money back from the author for wasting my time on pictures of such things as a man whose beard looks like it might also be a donkey, a woman whose eyes, nose and mouth are bird sketches, ARRRGGGGHHH.

I had already decided to purchase this book at the book store down the street, but decided to go home and look for a cheaper price online and found here right away. An excellent, thought provoking book filled with intriguing ideas on perspectives. And... the price was right.

This book is fascinating... the pictures are all really amazing and creative. I love it!