What do you think?
Rate this book
The Unicorn
This wide-ranging cultural history book traces the interpretations and myths that have grown up around the unicorn in art, literature, science, and religion, and explains why the figure has inspired such a loyal following. 120 illustrations, 72 in color.
- GenresNonfiction
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1999
1 person is currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 5, 2025
4.5
I finally know the true origins of the unicorn and I'm super happy for that, but I still have no answers to how it became the magical and fantastic beast of modern fantasy literature... I'll have to keep looking for a book that answers just that! :)
I finally know the true origins of the unicorn and I'm super happy for that, but I still have no answers to how it became the magical and fantastic beast of modern fantasy literature... I'll have to keep looking for a book that answers just that! :)
April 3, 2014
This was a great history of the Unicorn and a very thorough explanation of the symbolism involved with the Unicorn thru history, and how it changed to shape each culture of the next generations.
The book is filled with art and is wonderful in showing the value of the Unicorn, but at the very end, they neglect to value it as it is filling the minds of young with magic, mystery, and imagination, in today's culture. The author thinks the Unicorn is not being upheld because it is no longer the object of study and representing chastity, but that is very biased and narrow minded.
When a little girl watches "My Little Pony" and sees magical Unicorns, even at 4 and 5 years old, she knows that only the ponies with horns have that special magic. That the horn is special. The Unicorn is ingrained in our systems, and still taught, from the start of life, that it is magic, loves nature, and is an object representing beauty.
The history of the Unicorn is just changing again, as it did over and over in the book. There is nothing wrong with that.
The book is filled with art and is wonderful in showing the value of the Unicorn, but at the very end, they neglect to value it as it is filling the minds of young with magic, mystery, and imagination, in today's culture. The author thinks the Unicorn is not being upheld because it is no longer the object of study and representing chastity, but that is very biased and narrow minded.
When a little girl watches "My Little Pony" and sees magical Unicorns, even at 4 and 5 years old, she knows that only the ponies with horns have that special magic. That the horn is special. The Unicorn is ingrained in our systems, and still taught, from the start of life, that it is magic, loves nature, and is an object representing beauty.
The history of the Unicorn is just changing again, as it did over and over in the book. There is nothing wrong with that.
September 20, 2008
Very educational and interesting book that covers all the basics of unicorn lore/the history of unicorns as it is known so far.
November 27, 2009
This is a nicely written, nicely illustrated history of the unicorn, focusing mostly on its representation in art, myth and culture.
February 25, 2013
A scholarly approach to a timeless mythology.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews