The Truth About Unicorns Hardcover – Sept. 26 1991 by James Cross Giblin (Author)

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Describes the origins of the unicorn, including the real-life animals that inspired it, and the various myths told about unicorns throughout the world Editorial Reviews From Publis hers Weekly Giblin's ( Chimney Sweeps ; The Truth About Santa Claus ) meticulously researched text examines the historical, mythical, religious and physical significance of the unicorn. He describes unicornlike creatures that have existed through the ages, beginning with a "dinosaur unicorn" that lived 120 million years ago. Also documented is the appearance of unicorns in writings by Greeks and Romans, tales from ancient China and the accounts of Marco Polo and other European explorers. An insert of color photos accompanies a detailed interpretation of the renowned Franco-Flemish Unicorn tapestries. Finally, Giblin examines some contemporary "unicorns," from a goat with a transplanted horn featured in the 1985 Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus to the endangered Indian rhino. McDermott's carefully rendered, dramatic drawings complement the volume's many intriguing prints and photos. Through somewhat heavy going for the casual reader, this fact- and legend-filled book will be of great interest to youngsters fascinated by the elusive unicorn. Ages 8-12.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Grade 5 Up-- A book that brings together the many and various conceptions of the unicorn recorded through Western history and reported in legendary tales from as far as India and China. Giblin skillfully weaves the scattered references from fables, natural history, and travel tales into a coherent narrative of the developing legend of the unicorn. The recurrent appeal of the mythical beast is explained by the magical properties attributed to its shining horn, the linkage to the Christian story, and the intriguing pictorial renditions of the creature. Photographs, prints, and full-page black-and-white illustrations in a realistic style support an elegantly written text, printed on pages designed with space and grace for pleasant reading. The inclusion of a full-color insert from the Cloisters, showing the seven tapestries of the Hunt of the Unicorn, brightens the book and shows the most appealing idealization of this well-loved mythical beast. --Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJCopyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Kirkus Reviews With his usual intelligence and grace, Giblin (well-known for his award-winning nonfiction) covers the extensive history of a popular subject, once again illuminating some fascinating byways of social history with skillfully assembled facts. Recounting tales of unicorns from Chinese legend, Indian myth, and ancients in the Western world from Deuteronomy to Julius Caesar, Giblin sets them in the context of a world where many creatures were rumored but not actually seen (e.g., the rhinoceros). The book's heart is a detailed discussion of the unicorn tapestries at the Cloisters in N.Y.C. (reproduced in a color insert)--their history, their intricate symbols, the medieval Christian beliefs they exemplify, and their hold on the 20th-century imagination. Final chapters discuss uses of unicorns' (narwhal's) horns; how scientific inquiry discredited belief in the mythical beast and its powers; its role in current popular culture; and even some comments on the endangered species that generated the myth in the first place. As always, Giblin has a firm grasp on his subject's many ramifications and links them with clarity and extraordinary insight, providing a splendid model of the branches of knowledge enriching each other. Though unicorns seem ubiquitous, this is the first book for young people to explore their lore in depth. In addition to McDermott's soft-pencil reconstructions of ancient descriptions (e.g., ``Pliny's unicorn''), many b&w photos of historical artifacts are included. Bibliography; index. (Nonfiction. 9+) --åÊCopyright å©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. Product details Publisher ‏ : ‎ Programs and Genres Publication date ‏ : ‎ Sept. 26 1991 Language ‏ : ‎ English Print length ‏ : ‎ 128 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060224789 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060224783 Item weight ‏ : ‎ 499 g Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 19.05 x 1.27 x 23.5 cm Show more