Folding the Universe: Origami From Angelfish to Zen

by Peter Engel

Brief history, basic techniques and step-by-step instructions for 24 projects: hummingbird, giraffe, butterfly, kangaroo, and more.

Genres: Origami, Art, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

323 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 1989

About the author

Peter Engel is an origami artist and theorist, science writer, graphic designer, and architect.

Engel studied the history and philosophy of science as an undergraduate at Harvard University, where he began studying origami seriously under design scientist Arthur Loeb. In 1987 he graduated from Columbia University with a master's degree in architecture.

Engel's writings on science have appeared in various publications including The New York Times, Discover, and Scientific American. He has published several books about origami.

Reviews

[Edwina]

The history part of the book is interesting but sleep inducing at the same time, if that makes sense. It's written like a textbook, and that puts me to sleep every time. The easiest folds are in the introduction as Mr Engel explains the four bases that are used to start the folds in his book. It goes to Hell quickly though.
His models are broken down to steps that have four or five steps within the diagram in some cases. He assumes we have put the precreases in place, then gives vague instructions, like "tuck the extra paper inside". You have to examine the next diagram to see what he means, and then, for me, it's guess work.
So, it's all very interesting, but way over my head. And I've been practicing origami for years. I'll keep trying, but I need a little more spoon feeding and hand holding than I thought.

[Amy]

Definitely a book for the more advanced paper folder. The designs are beautiful and some can be quite complex. It takes patience and dilligence to make the models in this book. But, that is one of the reasons I love it!

[Kathryn]

Only read part history origami which was good

[Rickeclectic]

Amazing book on origami. Not the best book for beginners or intermediates for doing origami, but the VERY best book I have seen about the theory of how the folding actually achieves things like crabs from a single sheet of paper with no cuts. The front section is history and theory and a bit hard. The remaining part is how to do some amazing origami, but most of it is too hard for me.

[David Logan]

A great origami book with great models. The introduction also gives an awesome explination of the history of Origami, and the ideas behind it. That octopus origami model you always see drawn in a million different books? Yeah, it shows how to make it in this one. Get the book.

[James Hanson]

Five stars for an origami book? Absolutely, when it begins with 85 pages of theory, math and history before you make a single fold. Great book, with some fun and interesting models toward the back.

[Adrian Herbez]

Absolutely amazing book. The models are spectacular and fun to fold, and the introduction covers a lot of great ground regarding creativity and pattern formation in nature.

[Clivemichael]

Technically impressive. Great examples of the art. Challenging!