Stefan Oliver Chartwell Books Nonfiction, History ****
Description
Heraldry is an ancient art, most commonly associated with visions of knights and kings. Once used to identify nobles, knights, and organizations of
high note, it was not so haphazard a thing as many may think. Traditions and rules, varying by nation, governed who could or should display what marks
in what manner, and what each image symbolized. This book takes the beginner through the various rules, parts, and terms of heraldry, with many
pictures.
Review
This is another one from the discount shelves of Barnes & Noble. For the price, it's a very good book for the layperson on the subject of heraldry.
Easy to read (even if the editing cuts off more than one sentence mid-line), with very helpful illustrations, this is a great book for anyone interested
in coats of arms, be it for the historical aspects or - like me - the fantasy associations.
Stefan Oliver Chartwell Books Nonfiction, History/Lettering ***+
Description
Before the days of moveable type and printing presses, the creation of a book was almost an art form. Brilliantly colored hand-rendered images
twined about the edges and letters of each page. Though most of these illuminators worked in anonymity, their beautiful works survive to this day.
This book examines the history and art of illuminated letters, with several projects for the would-be illuminator today.
Review
The things one buys at half price... Anyway, this seemed to fit with my Heraldry books for some reason, so I bought it. I may be being a bit
charitable in my rating, but there's enough information given here in an easy-to-understand context to push it one-half mark over the line from Okay.
The projects don't look to be as beginner-friendly as Oliver seems to think (lacking time, space, and materials, I haven't actually attempted them),
but otherwise it's an interesting read.
