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Xanth #guide
Piers Anthony's Visual Guide to Xanth
A history of and an integration of the Xanth novels, explaining, clairifying, and explicating when necessary
236 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
6 people are currently reading
1039 people want to read
About the author
Piers Anthony
439 books4,193 followersThough he spent the first four years of his life in England, Piers never returned to live in his country of birth after moving to Spain and immigrated to America at age six. After graduating with a B.A. from Goddard College, he married one of his fellow students and and spent fifteen years in an assortment of professions before he began writing fiction full-time.
Piers is a self-proclaimed environmentalist and lives on a tree farm in Florida with his wife. They have two grown daughters.
Piers is a self-proclaimed environmentalist and lives on a tree farm in Florida with his wife. They have two grown daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 1, 2024
Really only something enjoyable by fans of the series. Nice listing of key components of the Xanth world. Some of the illustrations are great, others rather crude.
August 26, 2013
This books is a tricky one - its a large format black and white guide to the series - it is dated for many reasons no least of which is that it is over 20 years old and more books have been added to the series and the world of Xanth has grown and developed.
So the book - at first glance its really nothing new- it could even be seen as a bit of an ego boost to the authors as there is quite an in-depth introduction that really goes on about where inspirations came from who looks like what and why and how names and creatures came in to being. This gets a little heavy at times and can put you off. However once you are past that there is the same fun and (word) games you would expect from the works of Xanth - ok there is little new here since if you have read the series you already know what is going on, but this book collects all that together and lays it out in short easy chapters. In short for a fan there is little here that is new (if you have read the series) the charm is that you get to visit the world and characters all over again.
So the book - at first glance its really nothing new- it could even be seen as a bit of an ego boost to the authors as there is quite an in-depth introduction that really goes on about where inspirations came from who looks like what and why and how names and creatures came in to being. This gets a little heavy at times and can put you off. However once you are past that there is the same fun and (word) games you would expect from the works of Xanth - ok there is little new here since if you have read the series you already know what is going on, but this book collects all that together and lays it out in short easy chapters. In short for a fan there is little here that is new (if you have read the series) the charm is that you get to visit the world and characters all over again.
June 14, 2020
This book lives up to its name. With black & white illustrations the geography, flora, fauna, creatures and various peoples are described as well as a great many definitions are given. Including a deleted chapter 1 to CREWEL LYE : A CAUSTIC YARN book. Supposedly and allegedly because it contained too many puns in one chapter. Obviously a decision made by a person who hates puns!
June 15, 2020
The Xanth books by Piers Anthony were one of the first SciFi/Fantasy series I ever read. I love puns so I have always enjoyed them. Upon re-reading them I can see that they have some weaknesses but overall they stand the test of time. They are a fun and fast read that keeps me amused without any deep thinking required.
February 24, 2024
My parents got me into the Xanth novels a long time ago, and I love the creative beasts and bobs, and all the wordplay. A visual guide to some of the inhabitants and critters is wonderful! Beautiful art and fun explanations.
August 10, 2017
This book answered questions I didn't know I had and ignored those I did. I'm not sure I should blame the authors oversight or my own over active imagination :D
March 24, 2018
Beautiful art work that brought the world of Xanth to life.
May 30, 2020
Wonderful illustrations
June 25, 2023
A fun visual companion and encyclopedia for all things Xanth.
March 13, 2025
This books is a tricky one - its a large format black and white guide to the series - it is dated for many reasons no least of which is that it is over 20 years old and more books have been added to the series and the world of Xanth has grown and developed.
So the book - at first glance its really nothing new- it could even be seen as a bit of an ego boost to the authors as there is quite an in-depth introduction that really goes on about where inspirations came from who looks like what and why and how names and creatures came in to being. This gets a little heavy at times and can put you off. However once you are past that there is the same fun and (word) games you would expect from the works of Xanth - ok there is little new here since if you have read the series you already know what is going on, but this book collects all that together and lays it out in short easy chapters. In short for a fan there is little here that is new (if you have read the series) the charm is that you get to visit the world and characters all over again.
So the book - at first glance its really nothing new- it could even be seen as a bit of an ego boost to the authors as there is quite an in-depth introduction that really goes on about where inspirations came from who looks like what and why and how names and creatures came in to being. This gets a little heavy at times and can put you off. However once you are past that there is the same fun and (word) games you would expect from the works of Xanth - ok there is little new here since if you have read the series you already know what is going on, but this book collects all that together and lays it out in short easy chapters. In short for a fan there is little here that is new (if you have read the series) the charm is that you get to visit the world and characters all over again.
February 12, 2012
This book is a waste of time, even more so than the last few books of the Xanth series. I'm only reading it because I've read the other Xanth books and decided this would finish it all off, if it doesn't finish me off first. I see no purpose for this book at all, other than, perhaps, to squeeze a few extra bucks out of the Xanth craze that existed at the time.
November 26, 2017
I love the cover of this book, and it looks awesome with my collection of Piers' books. I've flicked through this countless times, but never sat and read it through. I felt like that was enough to mark it as read, since I went through most of what interested me. A must for any Xanth fan, I hope you are lucky enough to find a copy!
April 22, 2008
Helped fill in the collection
April 6, 2015
Visual Guide to Xanth
Anthony, Piers
great pictures showing the people and land of Xanth
Anthony, Piers
great pictures showing the people and land of Xanth
February 5, 2015
This is a great book to help visualize and keep track of various aspects of Xanth. It's a must have for those who love this punny world!
November 5, 2021
Not as entertaining as reading the Xanth books, but, still fun.
January 26, 2016
This book is a great companion to the Xanth books by Anthony to let you see some of the places and things in the book. Very recommended
September 16, 2016
The art between the covers of this book is beautiful. This is a great companion to the Xanth novels for young and old fans alike.
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May 20, 2015Science-Fiction
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews