The Secret History of Giants (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Are there giants among us? Find their story writ large in a lavish exploration touching on folklore and myth, truth and whimsy.

Ancient Greece had its Titans, the Celts their Green Knight, the Bible Goliath — and for those who know where to look, signs of these legendary hulking creatures still abound. Now comes a hugely engrossing chronicle of giants since antiquity, from their role in forming mountains and causing earthquakes to the mysteries of their sacks (watch out for hitchhiking humans); from their means of employment (how did the Druids built Stonehenge?) to an extensive map of places around the world where giants may likely be found. Exhaustive and lushly illustrated, this enormously valuable resource is sure to fascinate all who open its covers.

Special features include:

* sundry flaps, booklets, and gatefolds

* a lavish foiled and embossed cover

* an elegant tassel dangling from the spine

About the Author

Ari Berk is a writer, visual artist, and scholar of literature, folklore, and myth. He has written everything from academic works on ancient cultures to popular books about myths for children and adults. A professor at Central Michigan University, Ari Berk has traveled widely and made friends (of all sizes) in many parts of the world.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (September 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763640476
• ISBN-13: 978-0763640477
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #433,945 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dearer to Giants than any gold are the stones of the earth, September 26, 2008

By	M. Secara "maggiros" (N. Hollywood, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have a confession. I love all of Prof. Berk's work, and this lovely new volume is no exception. Like his other children's books, this is a book for readers. The artwork is gorgeous, but it is filled, filled with words. In fact, it's so packed that it took 5 artists to illustrate it! And there's really just everything you could want to know about Giants, and their history and traditions. His study has ranged from the familiar names of ancient Greece to the shyer and lesser known Giants of Wales and China, and even to those no one has ever before heard of except the archivists, scribes, and lore-wardens of the Order of the Golden Quills. (Prof. Berk is the current Magister and Scribe.)

The pages are double thick, which makes it easy for giant fingers to thumb through and also convenient for small ones. And every now and then there are surprises that flip up or fold out with unexpected details about Giantish life, even rules to Giant games, recipes for favorite Giant foods, and a Giants' calendar. And at the very center, a gatefold Zoologica Giganticum (margins lightly scored so they can be folded back safely) presents some of the other giant creatures of the world. You'll spend hours poring over the details, and come back to it again and again to find yet another surprise awaits.

Once again Professor Berk has taken us far from the fields we know to those peculiar places just around the corner. And as always, it's just too much fun!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous book for fantasy lovers of any age, December 8, 2008

By	Allison Fraclose (Marana, AZ) - See all my reviews

The Order of the Golden Quills exists to archive, study, and collect evidence of the world's Secret Folk--Merfolk, Elves, Dwarves, etc.--as well as honor an ancient promise to protect them. The most recent Magister and Scribe of the Order, Ari Berk, has compiled this stunning and wonderfully expansive encyclopedia featuring the Great Folk, otherwise known as the giants.

Each section of this book tells in careful detail about the giants' life cycle, clothing, habits, rituals, and work ethic along with other interesting tidbits, such as tales of famous giants from around the world. A zoologica giganticum is even included, with descriptions and drawings of animals that giants will often raise as pets. (Yes, you will find wyrms and blue oxen in there, among others.) Bound to the earth, giants will wander for many years before returning to the land of their ancestors, where they will undergo "earthfasting," becoming part of the land once again. We owe much to these large, gentle, and hospitable creatures, who can sing the story found in every stone and who have formed many of our topographical features by the nature of their being. With luck, this comprehensive look at one of the world's oldest races can dispel the less favorable myths that have risen from the misunderstandings between humans and giants in the past.

Fantastic illustrations, a rich design that keeps the eye moving, and intriguing little features--such as flaps that you can pull up and read and a built in tasseled bookmark with embossed cover--make this one delightful book that you will NOT want your fantasy lover to miss.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here there be GIANTS, February 24, 2009

By	M. Bennett "Dragon Tears" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a wonderful book on a wonderful subject. I loved reading all the info on giants. The book is nicely put together with little flaps, wonderful artwork and a beautiful bookmark. I love looking through my book and never get bored with it. I highly recommend it to any one interested in giants.