I'm not a Tarot-file, but as a graphic designer I've always had an affinity for the evocative art within these elaborate decks. I'm also a fan of Taschen's books, and wondered if anyone owned this publication, and if so, what the feedback is and for the seemingly modest price, whether she or he would recommended it? Thanks!

https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalog......=Aug2020

My copy arrived today, three days after ordering at a substantial discount from list price. If you are not going the 'collectible' route but want the content with maybe a ding in the cover, with a little digging you find resellers of p/review copies for about a third to half of list price plus shipping.

As with my other Taschen books, this is hefty and well-bound and printed; most illustrations are bright and sharp unless the original was probably showing its age or condition. This is meant to be the first volume in an ongoing Library of Esoterica and it would be easy to see this as an initial volume in an evolving encyclopedia.

My opinion only but I generally love these books for the rich artwork in larger formats than I can get elsewhere, not the depth of editorial content. Anyone looking for a deeper, more scholarly study of Tarot will probably be disappointed and should look to other classic or contemporary treatments. If between two covers you want to see a wide variety of the images across time and cultures for the major and minor Arcana you will probably be satisfied with the majors and wish for a few more specimens among the minors.

There are a variety of essays, most in the latter third of the book but these are shorter and meant for consumption by the general public and not specialists but I have already learned a few things I did not know before or at least been exposed to some opinions which seem less traditional--certainly not a bad thing in itself.

If you want to add to your appreciation of Tarot lore and imagery, I think you will be pleased; this is an ART book for the GENERAL reader. If you want to learn about systems and readings, this is probably not the book for you and I have not seen any ad copy to suggest that it was intended as a comprehensive treatment.

As someone who uses Tarot cards as a point of departure and alternative to standard playing cards, I believe I can find ways to use the book as a complement and justification for introducing these cards in creating a meaningful experience of the interesting and unusual for those I seek to educate and entertain.

Since I have seen this listed at some of the chain stores, you might want to look the book over before purchasing but even at full price it is WELL below what I have recently paid in the past six months for five hardback magic publications.

I am quite pleased with my purchase as I have been with a dozen other Taschen books (as well as calendars and post card sets) that are in my library.

Charlie
Lakewood WA

Thank you so much CHRousseau for this well-written and well-considered review. It is exactly what I was looking for.

I appreciate your time and effort, and this has confirmed what I already suspected for the reasons you've indicated. I'm going to buy the book. It's in the cards.

It is a beautifully produced book. The alignment and history of the cards and images is a real treasure trove. The essays are short, but helpful and include nice correspondences.

Thank you DrTodd!

I received my copy a few days ago and have only given it a cursory skimming as of yet, but what I've seen so far has been fantastic. It's like having a condensed version of Kaplan's 4-volume "Encyclopedia of Tarot" in a nice coffee-table format.

Awesome. Thank you Philemon Vanderbeck.

I just ordered mine!!!

Got here in one day!!!!! Love the book!!! $30 and something on Amazon.. New. I can't buy used books. My allergies kill me!!!