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28th out of 236 books
—
45 voters
The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World
"Housing the world's collective knowledge, within which reside the milestones of human intellectual achievement, libraries are perhaps the richest of all cultural institutions. Often architectural treasures in themselves, they were constructed in styles that befitted the riches they stored, from Neoclassical temples to Baroque palaces to Jeffersonian athaeneums. Both publi...more
Hardcover, 248 pages
Published
October 1st 2003
by Harry N. Abrams
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Jun 30, 2008
Abigail
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Bibliophiles / Library Lovers / Readers
Review Temporarily Removed.
4 likes · like · see review
view all 12 comments
Sometimes I curl up in the foetal position and dream of places like these.
Other times, I sob quietly while rocking back & forth.
Other times, I sob quietly while rocking back & forth.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Dec 03, 2011
Meter
added it
Note "Beautiful" in the title.
Most of these didn't draw me in the why I'd expected. Much elaborate decor from olden times and nowhere to read. The story of the "Little Green Castle"(The Herzogin Anna Amalia Library) in Weimar was an exception, and also one of the only structures in the first 100 pages that wasn't an exhibit in floor to ceiling marble. (Goethe fascinates and this a piece of that story.)
Despite all the exotics present(or perhaps because), my favorite is the New York Public. It lo...more
Most of these didn't draw me in the why I'd expected. Much elaborate decor from olden times and nowhere to read. The story of the "Little Green Castle"(The Herzogin Anna Amalia Library) in Weimar was an exception, and also one of the only structures in the first 100 pages that wasn't an exhibit in floor to ceiling marble. (Goethe fascinates and this a piece of that story.)
Despite all the exotics present(or perhaps because), my favorite is the New York Public. It lo...more
This photographic celebration of lavish and historically important libraries is a pleasure to page through and imagine oneself lingering amidst the books, ornate staircases, and countless sculptures. Ranging from medieval monasteries through royal and national collections to some Victorian age showplaces, the book includes several fold-outs of particular rooms striking for their beauty or at least their ornateness.
Each library is introduced with brief historical notes on the people or instituti...more
Each library is introduced with brief historical notes on the people or instituti...more
1 like · like · see review
Oct 02, 2011
Michael Lucas
marked it as to-read
I am looking forward to reading this book as I enjoy traveling. I currently have "My List" of places that I want to visit, and I would like to add interesting and historical libraries to "My List"! For example, my sister lives in New York City, so she and I visited the New York Public Library to see the original Winnie the Pooh and also one of the first editions of The Gutenberg Bible. Libraries have many facets of interest to offer patrons: architecture, historical interest, and artifacts. I be...more
Dec 29, 2008
Kristen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
librarians, people who love libraries
Recommended to Kristen by:
my mom gave it to me for Christmas
Well, this was a library themed Christmas. I got this book, the Dewey the library cat book, and the Nancy Pearl librarian action figure. All very much appreciated and fun for me.
This book is absolutely beautiful. Of course, I'm a library nerd who can't wait to work in any library, but I was practically drooling over all the gorgeous, color, full page photographs. The written descriptions of the libraries were lovely as well.
I think the niche for this book is probably fairly small, but if you lo...more
This book is absolutely beautiful. Of course, I'm a library nerd who can't wait to work in any library, but I was practically drooling over all the gorgeous, color, full page photographs. The written descriptions of the libraries were lovely as well.
I think the niche for this book is probably fairly small, but if you lo...more
Apr 21, 2013
Blkbx
added it
Note "Beautiful" in the title.
Most of these didn't draw me in the why I'd expected. Much elaborate decor from olden times and nowhere to read. The story of the "Little Green Castle"(The Herzogin Anna Amalia Library) in Weimar was an exception, and also one of the only structures in the first 100 pages that wasn't an exhibit in floor to ceiling marble. (Goethe fascinates and this a piece of that story.)
Despite all the exotics present(or perhaps because), my favorite is the New York Public. It lo...more
Most of these didn't draw me in the why I'd expected. Much elaborate decor from olden times and nowhere to read. The story of the "Little Green Castle"(The Herzogin Anna Amalia Library) in Weimar was an exception, and also one of the only structures in the first 100 pages that wasn't an exhibit in floor to ceiling marble. (Goethe fascinates and this a piece of that story.)
Despite all the exotics present(or perhaps because), my favorite is the New York Public. It lo...more
Full of big color photos that make you feel like you're standing in the room. Some of them are centerfolds!
This heavy book also has lots of history of the libraries featured, such as owners and how they began, dates of the buildings and restorations, etc. But it's all about the photos here, which is book porn at it's finest.
I first saw this book on a visit to Manhattan where it was at the gift shop of the Fifth Ave. branch, which is glorious and of course, one of the libraries in the book.
This heavy book also has lots of history of the libraries featured, such as owners and how they began, dates of the buildings and restorations, etc. But it's all about the photos here, which is book porn at it's finest.
I first saw this book on a visit to Manhattan where it was at the gift shop of the Fifth Ave. branch, which is glorious and of course, one of the libraries in the book.
This is an absolutely gorgeous coffee-table book that takes the reader on a tour of - as the title states - the most beautiful libraris in the world.
Most of the libraries are open to the public, but they are far-flung, so if you won't be doing any world travelling soon, but are interested in some of the most historic unique and, yes, beautiful libraries in the world!
I own this and never tire of looking at the pictures and reading about these fascinating libraries.
Most of the libraries are open to the public, but they are far-flung, so if you won't be doing any world travelling soon, but are interested in some of the most historic unique and, yes, beautiful libraries in the world!
I own this and never tire of looking at the pictures and reading about these fascinating libraries.
Sep 11, 2009
Lori
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
art historians, other historians, librarians, photography lovers and bibliophiles
Shelves:
5-star-reads,
places
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Overwhelmingly European, overwhelmingly ancient. I definitely don't consider this book comprehensive- each of these libraries is mad old, and I would have personally enjoyed a better representation of libraries across a span time and distance. That being said, it was definitely pretty and interesting.
Got this for Christmas from my boy and I absolutely love it!
The descriptions are very detailed and the stories they tell are very interesting and fun. The images are out of the world. Hopefully one day I'll be able to visit some, if not all, of the places in the book.
The descriptions are very detailed and the stories they tell are very interesting and fun. The images are out of the world. Hopefully one day I'll be able to visit some, if not all, of the places in the book.
What an outstanding collection of jaw dropping photos!Its been my dream to visit these libraries.
Drool over the book of Kells and other Illuminated texts.I love calligraphy.
Library copy": The book I read curiously had the middle photo layout printed upside down?
Drool over the book of Kells and other Illuminated texts.I love calligraphy.
Library copy": The book I read curiously had the middle photo layout printed upside down?
Amazing coffeetable book that will not leave my coffeetable. I've not been to many of these libraries because most are European, but of the three US ones, I've been to them all...Library of Congress, New York Public Library and Boston Athenaeum.
Nov 26, 2012
Belinda Sargent
marked it as to-read
I recommend this book because it shares some of the most beautiful libraries. Libraires are a place to get lost in the knowledge and adventures of the books but they should also be a place of relaxation and aesthetically appealing to the patrons.
Loved it. Like they say, "Every library has its own history". This book is about libraries around the world. It's amazing...the pictures are just beautiful. I hope I have a library in my home.
Bosser/deLaubier aren't lying with the title - and the descriptions and histories of the libraries just add to the attraction of this lovely book. The reproductions are excellent although I would have loved to see some of the things described in the text but not pictured.
These are truly gorgeous libraries and this is a beautiful coffee table type book although the history given for each of the featured libraries is really interesting. I’ve been to the New York Public Library; it’s the only one of the featured libraries that I’ve seen in person. For many years I’ve wanted to see and spend significant time in the Library of Congress and now, after seeing the photos, I’m practically desperate to see it. But, what makes a library for me is not the architecture or in...more
3 likes · like · see review
My daughter got this book for me for Christmas and I have enjoyed browsing over it many times. It's great with a quiet room, a cup of hot tea and soft light.
Truly magnificent examples of splendor and intimidating collections in these beautifully photographed world-renown libraries.
To put it bluntly.....pure library porn!! Amazing and beautiful libraries from around the world.
If you love books & libraries then this is the book for you! I love it & look at it frequently!
The libraries in this book are definitely beautiful. It would be so awesome to be able to visit one of them someday.
When I die, I don't want to go to heaven. I want to haunt the Library of Congress.
I would have liked to see more architecture, but all in all a very neat book.
Yes, I am a nerd. Can't resist!
A nice book about libraries around the world. Okay, Europe is overrepresented in it but that shouldn't keep anyone from buying/reading the book. I personally liked the articles about the New York Public Library and this famous Boston library ( can't remember the name right now ) the most. Has probably to do with the fact that I know both libraries and that I spent a lot of time there. All libraries are well described and each article gives you a lot of facts about the history of the library. Wel...more
my kind of eye candy :)
4 1/2 Stars. I accidentally stumbled upon this book in the library one day and am very grateful that I did. As soon as I opened this book, I was overcome with awe by the splendor and magnificence of these libraries. The bookcases, the cupolas, the embellishments, and even the books themselves were all exquisite and stunning. Even the descriptions were quite dazzling, drawing me in especially with their in depth descriptions of the libraries. This is by far the most beautiful book I have ever rea...more
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