The Book of Fabulous Beasts: A Treasury of Writings from Ancient Times to the Present (Hardcover)

~ Joseph Nigg (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Basilisks, griffins, and mermaids inhabit this ambitious collection of representative writings about mythical creatures that, according to the original context, may or may not exist. Nigg, the author of several books on imaginary animals, has arranged this source book chronologically and divided it into four parts roughly corresponding to the classical, medieval, Renaissance, and modern periods of Western history, each prefaced by a brief introduction. From Homer's sirens to James Thurber's unicorn, over 100 writers, both familiar and obscure, contribute to the literary histories of beasts. Although similar to Malcolm South's Mythical and Fabulous Creatures (LJ 6/15/87), Nigg's book is more comprehensive, focusing on primary sources?poems, travelers' tales, the Bible, and fiction?rather than on scholarly essays. The glossary, index, and cross references to particular beasts add to the accessibility of this recommended work.?Cathy Sabol, Northern Virginia Community Coll., Manassas
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

From ancient Mesopotamia to the present, Nigg conducts a tour of a menagerie that never was, one worthy of Dr. Seuss....This book is like reading a handful of lost Avram Davidson essays, and that's high praise. -- Paul Di Filippo, Asimov's, December 1999

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; illustrated edition edition (January 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195095618
• ISBN-13: 978-0195095616
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,400,272 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for scholars and a good read for everyone else., February 2, 1999

By A Customer

This must be the definitive text when it comes to a compendium of fabulous beasts. The choice of entries is excellent and expansive, the accompanying editorial insightful. Should become a classic.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, November 25, 2004

By	noname "invisibird" (Westchester, CA United States) - See all my reviews

If you like this book, then you should pick up Nick Bantock's (of Gryphon & Sabine fame), " Averse to Beasts," a book with cassette whose beastiary art is a wonderful companion piece to this definitive text.