Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Web's Most Optically Seductive Site is Now a Book, December 20, 2007
Here's a stunning phrase: visual materia obscura. As in, all the beautiful, eccentric, frightening and illuminating images you can find -- if you know how to look for them -- in the Web's dustiest, most erudite archives.
Nobody knows how to look better than PK, creator of BibliOdyssey, the blog -- a showcase for 1000 years of works on paper, many related to the book arts, and, IMHO, the most optically seductive site on the Web, keeping its fans up till dawn with the wonder of it all. It's only natural that BibliOdyssey should morph into a book -- and a gorgeous one at that. Brought out by swank FUEL Design in London, the book is the perfect
companion to the blog, but only if you like medieval herbals, meticulous 18th century drawings of microscopic critters, cloud maps, comet anatomy, mysterious geared machines from the Baghdad Caliphate, Renaissance prosthetics, outrageous costumes, ornate nakedness, heart-stopping calligraphy, antiquarian cookbooks and anything to do with Fr. Athanasius Kircher.
PK, an Australian mystery blogger, has a marvelous, totally
unpretentious way of introducing you to his favorite finds. If it sounds like he just discovered them himself -- well, he did. And I wish a lot of culture vultures would imitate his tone when they write or teach or even leave the house. Not to be sneezed at is the Foreword by famous British artist Dinos Chapman. And the binding itself is worth the price.
Heavens! Buy this fabulous book for the holiday (or for upcoming Valentine's Day) -- it's the same price publishers of absolute dogmeat are asking for material that won't hold your attention for half an hour. If you don't love it, someone you know will love YOU for giving it to them.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A sublime collection of archival illustration, November 28, 2007
Through the BibliOdyssey weblog, the author is a treasure hunter in the musty backwaters of the academic undernet; researching, resurrecting and cataloguing (mostly) public domain illustration from centuries past. All manner of curious visual esoterica is illuminated, from the religious to the scientific to the surreal and profane.
This deluxe book is a fitting tribute to the author's hobby site, featuring both old and new material, with excellent reproductions of selected works framed with typeset care, wrapped in a gold-foiled hardcover.
It is not an academic treatise, but a passionate collection of discovered objects, and the author humbly professes not to be an authority on the subject matter presented. As a consequence, the collection is all the more accessible as we share in the wonder and technique of the artworks, free to be enjoyed without the constraints of context.
This work would make a fine gift to any suitable gentleman, lady, family, library or studio serious about history, curiosity or creativity.
Visit the weblog for a taste if you will, but it must be said, these works were intended to be seen and felt on paper, and this book does them that justice!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Book, December 27, 2007
This book is such a beautiful visual journey. I received it for Christmas and have not had enough time to sit down and read it cover to cover yet. Though the time I have spent perusing the book is all the encouragement I need to make the time. PK's commentary is both informative and accessible throughout. The author's love and passion for this work shines through, and makes it a captivating book.
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