Discoveries: Heraldry

This compact book is one the best available in the USA (still in print) if you are interested in non-British heraldry. It includes a good deal of information on the social history of heraldry that is hard to find elsewhere. The other must-have book written from a similar perspective is Ottfried Neubecker's Heraldry: Symbols, Sources, and Meaning. Rated as a 4 ONLY because it is so short.

Pastoureau has managed to fit in a little book enough information about heraldry to get the novice interested in this noble art. Naturally, it does not go into the same level of detail as Boutell's Heraldry and it is not intended to. If you have a passing interest in heraldry, coats of arms, etc. but don't know much about it, this is your starter book. If you want to introduce heraldry to teenagers, this is a perfect book. If you are an "old hand" in heraldry, this will be a quick and very enjoyable read.

This book strikes a superb balance between being informative and entertaining -- a good, solid introduction to the interpretation of heraldry, with a lucid writing style, lots of good examples, and clear-cut explanations. And, what's more, the book moves on from the basics of interpreting heraldic symbols to discussions of specific topics; these topics are surprisingly diverse, and fun to explore. A fine addition to anyone's book collection.

I have been reading the library's copy of this teeny book and find it full of info and pictures. I was going through an encyclopedia of Arms (in Picardy and Artois) Pastoureau wrote (en francais of course) and grabbed this for something in english. Here he covers the history and development of arms in a wide variety of European countries, dispells the major myths about the origins of heraldic arms and discusses how they have evolved into contemporary times. I highly recommend this book.

The ecxiting, very colorfull, nice book about heraldry. No questions: if you want to buy one book about heraldry, buy this!