For two and a half thousand years, unicorns have inspired, enchanted and eluded humanity. The beast appears in Old Testament texts and Greek and Roman natural histories; Christians adopted it as a symbol of Christ, the middle-ages as a symbol of courtly love. A brisk trade was had in unicorn parts in Medieval and Renaissance times and travellers reported sightings into the modern era. Where did the unicorn come from, and how was it accepted as part of the animal kingdom for so long?
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Review
'Beguiling ... wise and entertaining' - Sunday Times -- Review
'Very engaging ... and we fall in with some fascinating companions, both human and animal, along the way' - Evening Standard
-- Review
`Entertaining and diverting ... Laver's lively account is full of marvels' - Sunday Telegraph -- Review
`The origin of the species and its later fame in lore and legend is cleverly told' - The Times -- Review
`intriguing ... Lavers' book takes us to some fascinating places' - Financial Times -- Review
'Very engaging ... and we fall in with some fascinating companions, both human and animal, along the way' - Evening Standard
-- Review
`Entertaining and diverting ... Laver's lively account is full of marvels' - Sunday Telegraph -- Review
`The origin of the species and its later fame in lore and legend is cleverly told' - The Times -- Review
`intriguing ... Lavers' book takes us to some fascinating places' - Financial Times -- Review
Review
`Entertaining and diverting ... Laver's lively account is full of marvels' - Sunday Telegraph
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an excellent book about unicorns that seeks to answer the following questions:
- What animals are unicorns?
- Where do the myths of unicorns come from?
- What is the unicorn's symbolism?
- How are unicorns depicted in art?
- What medicinal properties do unicorn horn have?
- Where do unicorn horns on the market come from?
- Can unicorns exist scientifically speaking?
These short and flat questions do not encompass the books contents. The book is approachable, intelligently written, humourous, and a scholarly achievement.
Oh yes, and luckily there are no new age-y, pastel coloured horses with a single horn here. (Thank you for that.)
Louise.
- What animals are unicorns?
- Where do the myths of unicorns come from?
- What is the unicorn's symbolism?
- How are unicorns depicted in art?
- What medicinal properties do unicorn horn have?
- Where do unicorn horns on the market come from?
- Can unicorns exist scientifically speaking?
These short and flat questions do not encompass the books contents. The book is approachable, intelligently written, humourous, and a scholarly achievement.
Oh yes, and luckily there are no new age-y, pastel coloured horses with a single horn here. (Thank you for that.)
Louise.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By T. Holmes
Format:Hardcover
I had to read this book after reading a review in `The Independent' describing the book as a "scholarly shaggy-dog story". I found Chapter 5 a little involved (on Khutu), but overall this book is a fascinating, original read. Who would guess that the story of the unicorn (actually many different unicorns) would branch into so many areas of history and culture. Very well-written.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Rotgut
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
A wide ranging overview of Unicorns in literature from 2600 BC to the modern day.
Basically, Chris Lavers examines which real animals may have inspired the totemic figure of the Unicorn, and which provided the Unicorn horns that were a valued commodity in 16th Century Europe, and also examines the importance of the Unicorn in religious belief and art.
This is a fascinating subject, which Lavers brings to life with accessible and clear prose. I'm not sure why he doesn't identify the Indian Rhino more definately as the source for the Unicorn; When repeating the ancient descriptions of the Manticore, he is happy to identify this with a distorted account of the Tiger. Personally, I would feel if any wild animal inspired travellers' accounts of Unicorns, the one horned Rhino must fit the bill.
Other arguments, e.g. the true identity of the Biblical Unicorn, a.k.a the Reem, or the possibility that ancient cultures "made" one horned farm animals were very convincing.
The description of the discovery of the Okapi is slightly tenuously linked to the subject but it's a great story that deserves to be re-told. And Okapis are ace.
Basically, Chris Lavers examines which real animals may have inspired the totemic figure of the Unicorn, and which provided the Unicorn horns that were a valued commodity in 16th Century Europe, and also examines the importance of the Unicorn in religious belief and art.
This is a fascinating subject, which Lavers brings to life with accessible and clear prose. I'm not sure why he doesn't identify the Indian Rhino more definately as the source for the Unicorn; When repeating the ancient descriptions of the Manticore, he is happy to identify this with a distorted account of the Tiger. Personally, I would feel if any wild animal inspired travellers' accounts of Unicorns, the one horned Rhino must fit the bill.
Other arguments, e.g. the true identity of the Biblical Unicorn, a.k.a the Reem, or the possibility that ancient cultures "made" one horned farm animals were very convincing.
The description of the discovery of the Okapi is slightly tenuously linked to the subject but it's a great story that deserves to be re-told. And Okapis are ace.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Nice book, boring second half
Original idea to bring all possible sources about unicorns in one beautifully edited book. But after a few chapters the endless recapitulations start to bore, the author finds it... Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2009 by Carl Peremans
5.0 out of 5 stars
An enchanting and intriguing book
I have looked forward to this since "Elephants have Big Ears." Chris Lavers unites myth with nature in his own inimitable style and takes us on a magical journey through 2000... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2009 by David
5.0 out of 5 stars
From the author
Dear readers. Here are some press cuttings. If you buy the book I hope you enjoy it.
Spectator
'Scholarly and continually absorbing ... Read more
Spectator
'Scholarly and continually absorbing ... Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2009 by Chris Lavers
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