The Mega Square Dal offers a brand new perspective on the self-proclaimed geniuss work thanks to the close-ups on specific details. Victoria Charles; Parkstones most prolific author; once more delivers a great text about this Surrealist painter. The Mega Squares small and practical format is bound to make a perfect gift.
#3738913 in eBooks 2012-12-21 2012-12-21File Name: B00ARQ891O
Review
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful. Wonderfully Illustrated Book for the Eclectic Reader and Word-Lover!By Happy ReaderI bought my copy of "A Compendium of Collective Nouns" in a bookstore; and almost didnt. The cover of it makes it look like a plain old dictionary; and I already have a surfeit of varying dictionaries. But I chanced on opening the book to peruse; and was and am delighted by the artwork.This really is more of an art-book than a dictionary in the usual sense. I counted 84 full-page full-color prints and 62 smaller 2-tone graphics sprinkled throughout the entries. As well as visual appeal; this book is so much fun to read! From the beginning; the authors admit that "some of the terms we like best are of a newer; and on occasion more dubious; vintage; than the original terms of venery.... We make no apologies for being eclectic and hope that as you read this book you will have fun with the words."And; in case youre wondering about "venery"; as I was; "The practice of venery concerns pursuit.... In the old books [15th century]; it referred exclusively to hunting." Thats why many of the oldest collective; or company; nouns have to do with animals. (It was only later that venery was more associated with sexual pursuit.)Most entries are accompanied by a dictionary definition or by a paragraph enlightening you. A "wince of dentists" may have no ancient etymology; but I was surprised; repeatedly; at the provenance of some terms. From whence; for example; could you possibly get "a fondness of stag beetles"? Answer (possibly apocryphal): JBS Haldane (1982-1964); British geneticist; was asked by theologians if "there were anything we could glean of the character of God by the scientific study of creation." Haldane is reported to reply that the Creator has "an inordinate fondness of beetles". (At the time beetles were half of the known insect species.)Full indexes are a great help. If you know that "dule" is the collective of some bird; but dont remember which bird; an index helps you find "dove". If you know that JBS Haldane is etymologically involved in some collective; but you cant remember which one; you can find him quickly; too.The authors/artists are Woop Studios; a British firm. It has a website where you can buy high-quality prints as well as notecards and housewares such as a coffee mug with the illustration for "a murder of crows". Though it has a .com extension (rather than co.com); prices are in pounds.A totally charming and highly recommended book! Ive already ordered a second copy to give as a gift.Happy Reader0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This book and James Liptons An This book and James ...By alexander NixonThis book and James Liptons AnThis book and James Liptons An Exultation of Larks are my favorites. I use them regularly.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An interesting and fun book with great illustrations.By Pat HoffmanI liked the illustrations and the quirkiness of this book. Fun for kids to look at too.The cover certainly doesnt give away what is inside .If you like the diversity of the English language then you willenjoy this book.