Books can be attributed to "Unknown" when the author or editor (as applicable) is not known and cannot be discovered. If at all possible, list at least one actual author or editor for a book instead of using "Unknown".
Books whose authorship is purposefully withheld should be attributed instead to Anonymous.
No animal has captured the human imagination quite like the horse, depicted in media from cave drawings thousands of years ago through countless renderings in paint, clay, ink, even film. This book is a moving look at an animal, as solitary subject and en masse, from the air and from underwater. From exquisite Arabians in the Royal Yards of the United Arab Emirates to purebred Icelandic horses in their glacial habitat; from the soulful gaze of a single horse’s lash-lined eye to the thundering majesty of thousands of Mustangs racing across the plains of Utah, Equus provides an amazing and unique insight into the physical dynamics and spirit of the horse.
I've had this book for so many years but I always love reading it and studying the pictures. The pictures share such emotion and the thoughts and verses take you into another side of nature. This book will always be in my favourites collection.
And yet another book with pictures of horses! Tell me, those of you who own as many "coffeetable" (photography) books as I do: do you ever read them after the first time? Cause I sure don't. Except for the one about the se (the title I have conveniently forgotten right now), because looking at pictures of water relaxes me.
This is my favorite book that I have constant bad luck with. Let me explain.
My first copy (hardback) was much beloved and read dozens of times in the decade or so I had it. I'd stare at the photos so hard I hoped I would memorize them (I didn't -- but it was fun trying.) This book was so different from any other horse encyclopedia or coffee table horse book. The photos were real breakthroughs in their day. These horses were moving, vibrant to the point where you could practically see them BREATHING.
And to pair the photos with literary quotes was also unusual (or it seemed so to me at the time.) And these weren't just anonymous animal models -- many of the horses here Vavra names, including the incredible Andalusian stallion cover boy, Majestad, that Vavra would work with in at least three other books. Even Breyer made a model of him.
When I was 29 I had a major mental breakdown and ran away from home in Lancaster, Pa to England. I left my copy of Equus: The Creation of a Horse behind -- or sold it. I can't remember. Anyway, when I was the UK I did manage to get a hold of a replacement copy -- a paperback.
Unfortunately, my wacko boyfriend started beating me almost senseless so I had to flee -- leaving this copy behind.
So, I'm slightly nervous about getting a THIRD copy just in case something else tragic happens to me.
No idea what luck will fall on you if you buy a copy.
Today a reader will find many of these images familiar since in the decades since this book was first released, many of the images have been used in advertising. The most famous image would wind up being the cover of the smash bestseller The Horse Whisperer.