The Book of Legendary Lands
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.55 (579 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0847841219 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 432 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2016-01-11 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
A fascinating illustrated tour of the fabled places in literature and folklore that have awed, troubled, and eluded us through the ages. In the tradition of his acclaimed History of Beauty, On Ugliness, and The Infinity of Lists, renowned writer and cultural critic Umberto Eco leads us on a beautifully illustrated journey through these lands of myth and invention, showing us their inhabitants, the passions that rule them, their heroes and antagonists, and, above all, the importance they hold for us. Homer’s poems and other ancient and medieval texts are presented side by side wit
A wonderland of fascinating places for the imagination. Patrick J. Quinn Umberto Eco never disappoints. This is a wonderful review of all the depictions of how people have perceived the world around them in reading great myths, sagas, epics and adventures. Maps, paintings, etchings, engravings, drawings and writings show the gradual evolution of the visual aspects of human imagination.The illustrations alone can keep one happy for hours. The writing is as bright and ill. R.I.P., Sweet Genius Reviewer I once heard it said that Johann Goethe was the last true "universal man." I think Eco proves that a falsehood. It's clear after reading this book (or pretty much any of his other books) that Eco's knowledge of the world and love of imagination marks him as one of the most brilliant artists of ours, or any other, time. This book covers everything from Cockaigne, the legendary Medieval Land of Plent. Gorgeous way to explore history Brett Adam Gorgeous book full of real history and full color paintings, maps and illustrations. Eco is entertaining and engaging as always and provides many launching points for further reading with his rich references and footnotes. This is a great way to learn some history and can provide a great entry point for those who find history somewhat dry. Wonderful complement to the Dictionary of Imaginary Places.
Eco explores the enduring human need to seek refuge in the beautiful places of literature and folklore, examing along the way both epic poets and contemporary storytellers who have drawn--and stretched--the boundaries of our emotions, dreams, worries, and ideals." -i-ItalyNY Magazine"A book for people who, as children, pored gleefully over the maps of Oz and Earthsea, an atlas of the most surreal and fabulous imaginary places you've never been." -SFGate. "Umberto Eco takes us on a wonderful illustrated journey through the lands of myth and invention, showing us their inhabitants, the passions that move them, their heroes and antagonists, and, most of all, the importance they hold for us
Umberto Eco is a world-renowned writer of fiction, essays, and academic treatises. . Among his best-selling novels are The Name of the Rose, Foucault’s Pendulum, and The Prague Cemetery