Customer Reviews

The Palaeography of Gothic Manuscript Books: From the Twelfth to the Early Sixteenth Century

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Great introduction to a variety of scripts that will be of use to beginners and advanced paleographers alike. Intelligently illustrated and well enough written to read straight through, but so sensibly organized that it makes a great reference work. Its intelligent use of the wealth of information provided in recent decades by the great catalogues of dated manuscripts will make it a standard work for years to come. My only possible reservation regards nomenclature. Derolez is a proponent of a modified version of the system of nomenclature advocated by Lieftinck and urges us not to use such standard terms as Gothic and Anglicana in the usual way. Since this is such a great book, it will strongly influence practice. Still readers might wish to take this recommendation with a pinch of salt.

Simply an outstanding book in all respects. As a professional historian who majored in medieval and art histories, and as a calligrapher for over 20 years, this book will be useful to artists and historians alike. It explains very clearly the many nuances of "gothic" in both text and illustration. It is money well-spent!