Ett oväntat fel har inträffat. by Archive for Research in Archetypal Symbolism (ARAS)

Ett oväntat fel har inträffat. Reviews

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  goodreads Customer

  As a student of art, I had hoped this book would help me understand the symbolism found in art. However, I'm disappointed. Most of the symbols in the book are practical, everyday things and can only be applied in the most general context. While there are many symbols in the book, the descriptions are common sense based on practical knowledge that most of us already know. Masonic symbols, or those on the dollar bill (seeing eye), are not in the book. Much of the text is a description of the item. For example, do we really need 1/2 a page to describe the scientific cause of lightning? Also, the writing style is difficult to read and boring. I felt like each description was written by a college student trying to impress his/her professor.
  
  I think there are better books on symbolism available.
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  s. berger

  I've bought many of the ARAS publications, but this one was a major disappointment. It's as though ARAS decided they had to publish 'something' and this is what they came up with. Most of the entries are utterly uninformative, even banal. It's too many things spread too thinly to be of much interest. Many of the facts can be surpassed by a Google search. I kept the book only to help support ARAS and that's the only reason I did not return it.
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  Shopsalot

  The book itself is beautiful, but sadly the content is lacking. Entire paragraphs are just quoted material from other sources.
  Minimal information, only covers very general descriptions. And, ironically it doesn't actually include the symbolic meaning of many of the animals listed. Overall, disappointed. This will likely be a dust collector as I don't find it very useful.
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  ingrid_

  Hmm I didn't like some of the image choices. For instance the entry for a goat features a graphic image of a statue of Pan having sex with a goat.
  I was pretty grossed out and returned the book for that reason. Yuck is that really the best image you could find for a goat? Other entries I found to be skewed a certain way, like sort of 'dark' you might say. For instance the entry for Angels calls them 'volumptuous'. Um, not exactly.
  
  Otherwise it's definitely 'a' book of symbols not 'the' book of symbols. The entries are like poetic prose writing from one perspective, sort of wishy washy spirituality and eclectic I suppose, but by no means comprehensive and in some ways confused. For instance the entry for 'Sun' mentions the minor Hindu deity Rudra and his ferocity being like the sun, but leaves out the major deity Surya, the actual sun god. I was hoping for a deeper comprehensive look at the meaning of symbols to different cultures. Basically, there is a lot left wanting.
  
  That said it is a beautiful book in other ways and neat conceptually but of a coffee table book for the beginning enthusiast. Overall disappointed.
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  Suzanne

  I love symbolism, mythology, etc. Most books on symbolism follow a certain pattern, which is just fine. This one stands out.
  
  Physically, it has beautiful foil insets for the different sections, just like in old dictionaries. It's sized where it's convenient to carry but would also make a good coffee table book.
  
  The content is a collection of individual essays about each topic with beautiful images to accompany most subjects. It's divided by category too, which reinforces its reference book styling. The essays are brief enough for a fairly quick read. Most, I would say took me no longer than 4 5 minutes, and that include studying the pictures. Expect an introduction to subjects, not a deep study, and you'll treasure this too.
  
  I'm very happy to add this to my library.
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  LukeGobstopper

  The book is overall well done, with a variety of imagery from all over the world: artifacts, artwork, etc. But the book doesn’t really feel like a it’s about symbols at all; at least, not in presenting any actual graphic symbolic or iconographic imagery. I feel the title of the book is a little misleading. Basically the book lists a large number of creatures, ideas, imagery that poses significance across cultures. It often feels like a book full of trivial information. Overall, it’s an okay book to have if you want something that is sort of a casual reference book of cross cultural ideas/symbols, but not a good one at all for actual study into symbols.
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  T. Bevington

  This is a wonderful compilation and foundation on which to begin to build your knowledge of signs and symbols. Very comprehensive, yet basic enough for all. Interesting imagery. May not be as specific and detailed (per subject) as some here would have liked, it is most certainly a wonderful reference and if nothing else, a better than 'beginning' start to understanding the messages held in the symbols and signs going on around you. Oh, and the hardback book itself is very nice. High quality. Numerous in book ribbon page markers, hardbound very well, sturdy pages. I shall use this forever.
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  Beck2524

  It's a beautiful book and so well put together with amazing imagery as well.
  
  I will say though that as of the date I brought it, there's only one orange ribbon to bookmark with. So the current image is falsely advertising the 5 coloured ribbons and should be updated asap so other's know exactly what they're buying.
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  Zanete

  This is an 800 page book, containing a lot of information about various symbols. This was the reason why I bought the book in the first place, hoping it will be inspiring and my go to symbol book. Unfortunately, this was not the case and I was disappointed with what I got.
  
  First, the quality is not great. The paper feels very thin and that the cheapest materials were used to create it. Explains why the price is lower than other books but also made me feel like I waisted the 16+ £.
  
  Second, I did not find the information helpful at all. The book speaks about hundred of symbols but does not say much of anything. I kept reading through it and found that I lost interest in the book the I read. I think it could have been written better.
  
  Lastly, I would not recommend this book to anyone, except someone who already has a lot of knowledge about symbols. This is not a beginner friendly book.
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  Sphiera

  This book is amazing. I bought for husband who has not put it down. It’s very well written and is so insightful. The book itself is beautiful and has sections carved into the pages to form tabs for quick access to the categories. It also has stunning hanging ribbon page markers for each section all different colours. The pages are filled with beautiful pictures to accompany and support the text and also has many analysis of art relating to the symbols too. The spine is strong and the book is clearly made so well. The cover has a slight Deboss and makes a nice texture. I don’t know how this book is at this price. If this is something that interests you It’s a steal.
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  Ian

  I bought this book because I wanted to get a better understanding of symbols, tropes, and archetypes that frequently occur repeatedly throughout history in the form of artwork. I find them to be quite fascinating and no doubt provide a glimpse into a part of the collective subconscious that has been with us for thousands of years. This book contains a vast eclectic collection of them as well as a descriptive passage accompanying each one on every page. It's just what I was looking for and I love it very much!
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  Lucy H. Pearce

  The only negative thing I have to say is that the cover and book description in no way portray JUST what an incredible book this is. You truly need no other book on symbols, it covers the subject so extensively, masterfully and beautifully. It is a reference book that you will use regularly.