by
3.95 of 5 stars

The Royal Collection, held at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, and Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, has been shaped by the personal tastes of kings a... read full description


reviews

Feb 22, 2010
skein rated it: 3 of 5 stars
How do you rate a book that is mainly art - reproductions of former artists? If the art is good, does the rating go up? If the descriptions are inane, do you take away stars?

Yes, and yes: at least for this book. The author(s) apparently have a fetish for Leonardo da Vinci - and I could have been more graphic - he's the best artist evah blah blah blah when he is clearly not the best artist even within the pages of the book, if composition and quality of representation are the criteria More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Sep 14, 2009
Tara rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Glorious. This book explores the images from natural history records and looks at them as a form of art. I have always considered the incredible drawings of plants and animals from this era as art, and I was excited to see them examined this way by some of the masters in the field.
The writing is straightforward but thorough. Though the sections are written by different people, there is an overall sense of being pulled into the world of discovery and allowed to spend some time marvelling More...
Jan 19, 2011
Lana. rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A quick flip through the book caught my interest when I recognised some of the pictures (or at least the style) – as note card favourites. Turns out these cherished images have a lot of history, and played quite a role in naturalist science. I borrowed the book from the library and began reading.

The book consists of informative and concise essays along with beautiful reproductions if watercolours and drawings – all which work to introduce the reader to natural art and the natural More...
Feb 08, 2009
Sarah rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book is exquisite. It covers aspects of history I had never before even considered. It is bursting with information and, even better, gorgeous illustrations. The segments on the different artist/naturalists were all fascinating, but the chapter on Maria Sibylla Merian was my favorite. She pretty much rocked in a time when it was difficult for women to do so. And she draws a mean Australian cockroach.
Apr 20, 2010
Kaye rated it: 4 of 5 stars
David Attenborough explores the Royal Library at Windsor. The reproductions are beautiful. How nice to find Maria Sibylla Merian as one of the featured artists, along with Leonardo da VInci, Mark Catesby, and Alexander Marshall. And the paper museum of Cassiano dal Pozzo was a wonderful discovery. My problem now is deciding if this book gets shelved with natural history books or with art books.
May 14, 2010
Katherine rated it: 4 of 5 stars
What a fascinating topic! Although the text wasn't terribly in-depth, I loved the stunning visuals captioned with David Attenborough's snarky comments on scientific accuracy.
Dec 02, 2008
Raphael rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I loved this book. The illustrations were beautiful, and David Attenborough's introduction was especially good. I recommend _Amazing Rare Things_ wholeheartedly!
Feb 21, 2010
Kate rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I was delighted to discover that the work of Maria Sibylla Merian was included in this book, along with that of Alexander Marshall. They were both amazing botanical artists. The work of Leonardo da Vinci is also featured as is that of Mark Catesby (loved the Sarracenia purpurea with frog). A wonderful discovery, too, was the paper museum of Cassiano dal Pozzo. This is a book I would enjoy owning ~ I hated having to return it to the library.
Sep 30, 2008
fletch marked it as to-read
Beautiful illustrations with vibrant color - looking at the pictures is pleasurable enough, although I'm also interested in reading the authors' analysis as well. After seeing the Egyptology exhibit at the Frye, I've been thinking about the ways that artists, scholars and scientists, when put to the task of documenting the "exotic," easily become effective tools of colonialist expansion.
Mar 19, 2010
Alex rated it: 4 of 5 stars
David Attenborough geeking out over Da Vinci sketches. If that doesn't sound awesome to you, neither do I.
Oct 14, 2010
Marts (Thinker) rated it: 3 of 5 stars
In Amazing Rare Things:... David Attenborough explores the works of five natural history artists.....
Jan 23, 2010
Lorna rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Good pics and occasionally interesting text. I think this was a Christmas impulse publication with a pretty cover and a extra-wide spaced blurb by Attenborough. The pics could be more numerous and it's too small to be a good coffee table book. Better to read Chrysalis or look at Cabinet of Curiosities.
Sep 23, 2007
Meredith rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I just saw this book at 192 Books in Chelsea. It's a compilation of essays with beautifully reproduced color drawings of nature, some even by Da Vinci. It's a good coffee table book, but also one to read in small bits.
May 31, 2008
Marissa rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book got me all excited about the magic combo of art + nature. I only wish it were longer.
Jul 22, 2010
Yuki rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Beautiful integration of art and science. Lush illustrations of flora and fauna.
Apr 13, 2010
Snafoo is currently reading it
Found this book through goodreads. Placed an order immediately.
Feb 12, 2012
Lee Ann marked it as to-read
Feb 11, 2012
Kyle marked it as to-read
Feb 07, 2012
Miguel marked it as to-read
Feb 07, 2012
James marked it as to-read
Feb 07, 2012
Kelly Rae rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 06, 2012
M marked it as to-read
Feb 02, 2012
Riko marked it as to-read
Feb 01, 2012
Ann rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Jan 25, 2012
Carol marked it as to-read
Jan 23, 2012
Trever marked it as to-read
Jan 20, 2012
Stephen marked it as to-read
Jan 14, 2012
Whatwhenwhere marked it as to-read
Jan 13, 2012
Betsy rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Jan 12, 2012
Len marked it as to-read