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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 ...more
Hardcover, 248 pages
Published
October 1st 2003
by Harry N. Abrams
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Wow! They aren't kidding! These are some beatiful libraries! The cover photograph of the Great Hall of the Library Congress has provided me with something in the way of inspiration, and I sense a new tourist destination for yours truly, the next time I find myself in D.C. Actually, I have a feeling that all of the twenty-three libraries profiled in this gorgeous book will be going on the "to-do" list (which, as it encompasses the "to-read," "to-see" and "to-exp...more
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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.
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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...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...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 peopl...more
Each library is introduced with brief historical notes on the peopl...more
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,...more
Kristen
rated it
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 fai...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 fai...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 b...more
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 b...more
Lori
rated it
Recommends it for:
art historians, other historians, librarians, photography lovers and bibliophiles
Shelves:
5-star-reads,
places
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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.
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
This book has me thinking of a dream vacation where I visit libraries around the world... It's the book I pick up after a hectic day at work, one I can become immersed in.
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.
When I die, I don't want to go to heaven. I want to haunt the Library of Congress.
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
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
louisa
added it
More marble and figureheads and respectability than my taste. But Father Guido Sarducci test passed for this one crazy library in Manchester. I also love how I loved it from the pictures, but the story panned out in all these ways I didn't expect. Prim widows, low church bull-headedness, and more! Finished the book now and the libraries that escape the stuffy, marble overload: the above mentioned Rylands, El Escorial, and Mafra in Portugal.
Superb book. "A picture is worth a thousand words" is how I would describe this book. The photography is not only beautiful but looking at the details of the art, sculpture and furniture inside these libraries is breathtaking. Three of the libraries named in this book are in the U.S. (Boston, DC & NYC)
This is a beautiful book. I especially love the NY Public Library section, because I have been there. It's amazing to think, all that beauty is right there in the middle of all that hustle and bustle! Now if only I could see the rest.
A survey of some of the most amazing libraries still operating in the world. I saw this at the Kimble Art Museum in Fort Worth, TX and just had to pick it up. The book is drop-dead awe-inspiring. Supreme bibliopr0n of the highest order.
Unbelievable pictures!
I love this book - there are so many gorgeous libraries. I don't happen to work in one of them...but I do love my profession! It is a stunning tribute. I know I am a geek, by the way.
I just looked at the pictures, and it's beautiful. But, the book is Euro-biased, with some north America thrown in.
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