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The Magical History of Unicorns
Unicorns have appeared in mythological and religious texts for thousands of years. Often the case of a mistranslation, or mistaken identity, these mystical creatures have built a legendary history that now revels in the landscapes of modern fantasy fiction, novels and popular culture in general.
This beautiful new book contains a huge range of gorgeous unicorns, painted in many different styles by modern artists, but all treated with the respect and wonder such a creature deserves. See the magical forests, and the life-giving rivers of the elven realms, the flowing tresses of the princesses and white witches who tend the unicorn, see the young and the old, the white and the black unicorns, and submit to this joyful celebration of a mythology brought to life.
This beautiful new book contains a huge range of gorgeous unicorns, painted in many different styles by modern artists, but all treated with the respect and wonder such a creature deserves. See the magical forests, and the life-giving rivers of the elven realms, the flowing tresses of the princesses and white witches who tend the unicorn, see the young and the old, the white and the black unicorns, and submit to this joyful celebration of a mythology brought to life.
128 pages, Hardcover
Published June 13, 2017
6 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Russ Thorne
30 books5 followersAs a boy, Russ Thorne loved reading Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, playing Hero Quest and poring over issues of 'White Dwarf', admiring the cover art in the process. Later he studied English Literature and got to know Homer's heroes and a bit of Beowulf, before beginning a career as a writer and editor. Since then he's published books on tattoo art, body piercing and vampires and writes regularly for national newspapers including the Independent.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 12, 2019
I've always found the idea of Unicorns irresistible. Any book that featured them drew me to it instantly. One of my favourites was The Seventh Unicorn by Shirley Barber and I would stare at her beautiful artwork for hours. I would have loved this book then, more for the pictures than the content. As an adult I did enjoy the text alot, and found myself with a long list of Unicorn related titles to track down, but the greatest delight of this book was feeling like a little kid again as I looked at the wonderful pictures. I'll be flipping through this one again! 💖
July 14, 2018
There is a lot of beautiful art in this book. Also, I learned a lot about unicorns!
May 21, 2024
Interesting with tons of great artwork but a bit lackluster in the information department
August 2, 2017
So I'm not sure what the Goodreads description was all about.... It's like it's talking about a completely different book. Basically this book collects relevant information in relation to the legend of the Unicorn and why we keep going back to these mystical creatures.
It was really interesting to hear the history of the unicorn, although I've got to say, I think it's diminished the magic a little for me and I don't know why. I do feel like the flow of this was a little all over the place and although I learned a lot, I am still left like.... Huh?
I think what this book did was gather information and added a quirky narration, so not a lot, but still, I would say it was enjoyable.
As strange as it may be, glossy books have the most divine smell and so that was definitely plus, haha!
This book expressed all the different personas of a unicorn depending on the culture, so I had a lot of fun Googling some of the variations of unicorns. It would have helped having the different cultural depictions of unicorns alongside the relevant text, but the beautiful art work already featured was breath taking as it is. I also would have preferred having the artists' credentials beside the illustrations, but at least we got them in the glossary.
The headings were written in a font that I struggled to read; it was too loopy, so that certainly hindered my reading experience, unfortunately.
I found it strange that the author tried to make it that the unicorn wasn't a specific creature but a trait.... It was interesting because over the years and through different cultures people have said a unicorn to look different depending on the tale, but I honestly think it's just different impressions and (as the book also mentioned) simple human error that associate different creatures as being a unicorn. Still, it was an interesting concept nevertheless.
The one thing I'm most thankful for is the new material this book has brought to my attention. I can't wait to go through the reading and watching list and absorb even more information about these magical beasts.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! ^.^
Gén
It was really interesting to hear the history of the unicorn, although I've got to say, I think it's diminished the magic a little for me and I don't know why. I do feel like the flow of this was a little all over the place and although I learned a lot, I am still left like.... Huh?
I think what this book did was gather information and added a quirky narration, so not a lot, but still, I would say it was enjoyable.
As strange as it may be, glossy books have the most divine smell and so that was definitely plus, haha!
This book expressed all the different personas of a unicorn depending on the culture, so I had a lot of fun Googling some of the variations of unicorns. It would have helped having the different cultural depictions of unicorns alongside the relevant text, but the beautiful art work already featured was breath taking as it is. I also would have preferred having the artists' credentials beside the illustrations, but at least we got them in the glossary.
The headings were written in a font that I struggled to read; it was too loopy, so that certainly hindered my reading experience, unfortunately.
I found it strange that the author tried to make it that the unicorn wasn't a specific creature but a trait.... It was interesting because over the years and through different cultures people have said a unicorn to look different depending on the tale, but I honestly think it's just different impressions and (as the book also mentioned) simple human error that associate different creatures as being a unicorn. Still, it was an interesting concept nevertheless.
The one thing I'm most thankful for is the new material this book has brought to my attention. I can't wait to go through the reading and watching list and absorb even more information about these magical beasts.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! ^.^
Gén
July 3, 2024
I am definitely a victim of the 80s childhood obsession with unicorns (favorite animal) and rainbows (favorite color). So, this book was an instant buy for me and I got one for my bestie as well.
As a middle-aged adult, I am still obsessed with unicorns, and I gave this book 5 stars for the artwork alone.
The tidbits about unicorn history and pop culture were interesting but the artwork featuring different artists was what I came for! Except for can we talk about how the Bible got mis-translated and ended up with unicorns in it! (eventually changed to oxen… But still! That one was funny!)
I love them even more when I found out that these lovely creatures are usually associated with the celestial world, the moon and serenity. I’m a moon girlie all the way!!
I felt a little self-conscious reading chapter one as I truly have all of these things…
”The world is full of unicorns. You can sip from your unicorn mug, while wearing your unicorn slippers and wearing your unicorn pyjamas.(Maybe you're doing that right now, in which case, you're in the right place.)”
'Of all the legendary animals of art, folklore and literature, the unicorn is the one with the greatest hold on our imaginations.'
NANCY HATHAWAY, THE UNICORN
Unicorns can thrive anywhere that the heart and imagination are receptive to them.'
PAUL AND KARIN JOHNSGARD, DRAGONS AND UNICORNS: A NATURAL HISTORY
“Mystery, romance and beauty, unicorns connect us to our dreams, inspiring and lifting our spirits.
Every gorgeous painting in this new book brings alive the story of these delightful, mythical creatures.”
As a middle-aged adult, I am still obsessed with unicorns, and I gave this book 5 stars for the artwork alone.
The tidbits about unicorn history and pop culture were interesting but the artwork featuring different artists was what I came for! Except for can we talk about how the Bible got mis-translated and ended up with unicorns in it! (eventually changed to oxen… But still! That one was funny!)
I love them even more when I found out that these lovely creatures are usually associated with the celestial world, the moon and serenity. I’m a moon girlie all the way!!
I felt a little self-conscious reading chapter one as I truly have all of these things…
”The world is full of unicorns. You can sip from your unicorn mug, while wearing your unicorn slippers and wearing your unicorn pyjamas.(Maybe you're doing that right now, in which case, you're in the right place.)”
'Of all the legendary animals of art, folklore and literature, the unicorn is the one with the greatest hold on our imaginations.'
NANCY HATHAWAY, THE UNICORN
Unicorns can thrive anywhere that the heart and imagination are receptive to them.'
PAUL AND KARIN JOHNSGARD, DRAGONS AND UNICORNS: A NATURAL HISTORY
“Mystery, romance and beauty, unicorns connect us to our dreams, inspiring and lifting our spirits.
Every gorgeous painting in this new book brings alive the story of these delightful, mythical creatures.”
July 15, 2019
Disappointing.
It starts with an interesting look at how the Unicorn myth began with cave paintings and sightings throughout history, but then devolves into a useless recap of unicorn appearances in novels and films. I was hoping for a more critical look at the actual portrayal of unicorns, how they interact with each other, what they eat, where their magic comes from, what kind of magic they have, if all unicorns have the same abilities, higher intelligence unicorn type society, etc. Most annoying however, is that the accompanying art (great as it is!) never has anything to do with the topic at hand. It would have been nice to see some shots of the cave paintings, or even movie stills.
I’m not sure what you’re looking for but you can probably find it better elsewhere if it’s even in here at all.
It starts with an interesting look at how the Unicorn myth began with cave paintings and sightings throughout history, but then devolves into a useless recap of unicorn appearances in novels and films. I was hoping for a more critical look at the actual portrayal of unicorns, how they interact with each other, what they eat, where their magic comes from, what kind of magic they have, if all unicorns have the same abilities, higher intelligence unicorn type society, etc. Most annoying however, is that the accompanying art (great as it is!) never has anything to do with the topic at hand. It would have been nice to see some shots of the cave paintings, or even movie stills.
I’m not sure what you’re looking for but you can probably find it better elsewhere if it’s even in here at all.
January 21, 2019
I wasn't sure what type of story might be in this book, but it was unicorns. Now that I've read it, I'm wonderfully surprised. It contains a very good tracing of the history of the unicorn from about as far back as it can be found up to the modern day. Many sources of information are listed. It's almost as if you can watch the evolution of the unicorn.
Another great thing about this book is the writing style. I absolutely love the cheeky asides that get thrown in at times. They make it feel like someone having the most amazing conversation with you.
If you, or someone you know, likes unicorns, then I recommend this book. You might learn a thing or two while enjoying the subject. Oh, did I mention the art? It's full of amazing and awesome artwork too!
Another great thing about this book is the writing style. I absolutely love the cheeky asides that get thrown in at times. They make it feel like someone having the most amazing conversation with you.
If you, or someone you know, likes unicorns, then I recommend this book. You might learn a thing or two while enjoying the subject. Oh, did I mention the art? It's full of amazing and awesome artwork too!
March 16, 2022
3.5 stars, a really beautiful book just not super in-depth but still has lots of info I hadn't read before.
Wide variety of art styles, it's mostly pictures, some are by famous fantasy artists like Josephine Wall and some are the famous old unicorn tapestries,right up to a few questionable digital art choices, there's a style for everyone in here. Some very pretty! There are no questionable pieces of art here,no bare maidens or anything,safe for all ages to look at.
The lists of unicorn movies and books could have been considerably longer I felt,I know a lot more than were mentioned, the research there felt a little lacking but that's not a big deal,I'd just hoped to discover a few I hadn't heard of.
A good book for all ages of unicorn lovers.
Wide variety of art styles, it's mostly pictures, some are by famous fantasy artists like Josephine Wall and some are the famous old unicorn tapestries,right up to a few questionable digital art choices, there's a style for everyone in here. Some very pretty! There are no questionable pieces of art here,no bare maidens or anything,safe for all ages to look at.
The lists of unicorn movies and books could have been considerably longer I felt,I know a lot more than were mentioned, the research there felt a little lacking but that's not a big deal,I'd just hoped to discover a few I hadn't heard of.
A good book for all ages of unicorn lovers.
April 29, 2023
What a beautiful book. The artwork is truly magnificent. The legends and myths passed down throughout history are very interesting. Being of Irish decent there are many legends that I believe in so of course for me this beautiful animal is real. I learned some things in this book that I had never seen or read before. Very good resources for all the information contained. You don't have to believe in Unicorns to read about them. Enjoy it.
February 17, 2019
Hea ülevaade ükssarviku legendist ja selle müütilise olendi käsitlemisest erinevates meediumites. Laste jaoks võib see olla veidi liiga kuiv materjal, aga olles ise tarbinud fantasyt igal võimalik kujul on äratundmise rõõm suur. Väike pettumus oli, et ühe minu lemmikautori, Zelazny loomingule ei olnud ühtegi viidet.
January 20, 2021
I bought this book for the illustrations, and they are the best part by far. The writing is not super-interesting, and there are typos. I appreciate that the author references other unicorn books that I can now add to my Goodreads list. But mostly this is a unicorn coffee table book, just there for the pictures.
January 26, 2020
Kaunite piltidega raamat ükssarvikute ajaloost, mis käsitleb nii müüte, legende, religiooni, kunsti, raamatuid ja palju muud. Väga kaunis ja huvitav teos, mis tekitas suuremat huvi ükssarvikute vastu. Soovitan julgelt juba ainuüksi piltide pärast!
July 29, 2017
Interesting and quick read for any unicorn lover.
September 21, 2017
A beautiful book for any unicorn lover
January 3, 2018
Wish had more of the images actually talked about in book was very interesting though
December 4, 2018
A good summary of the history of the Unicorns, from the paintings of the cavemen to this day, great artwork inside
March 15, 2019
Pretty pictures!
July 26, 2019
The illustrations are amazing... it’s really good cute book about the mythology of unicorns....
March 28, 2020
A surprisingly informational book with beautiful art.
May 22, 2020
I loved this book as it is filled with beautiful illustrations of unicorns and delves into the history of the magical animal.
February 7, 2022
This was an interesting read. I loved all the images/illustrations of unicorns. This book has made me want to seek out more books to learn about unicorns. 🦄
March 30, 2024
This is a beautiful book..
August 18, 2024
What a beautiful book!
November 14, 2024
Very informational
April 27, 2025
If you are looking for something to heal your inner child, this book is for you.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews