The Bayeux Tapestry

Charles H. Gibbs-Smith's book The Bayeux Tapestry benefits from its larger format (approx. 9" by 12") and its reproduction of the scenes running across two pages at a time, so the reader gets a good idea of what the actual 70-meters-long piece looks like. There are other photos of scenes or partial scenes that take up almost a whole page. Many of these photos are in black and white, although the dust jacket and several pages inside are full color photos. Gibbs-Smith, Keeper Emeritus at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and an authority on the Bayeux Tapestry "sets the scene, politically and historically, which led to William's almost accidental conquest of Britain" and "he explains the techniques used in the making of the Tapestry and its artistic and stylistic significance." (from dust jacket fly leaf) Includes an interesting introduction, the story of what happened, a chronology and a short bibliography. A fascinating book for anyone interested in the Bayeux Tapestry, the Battle of Hastings, English and French history, battles reproduced or memorialized in various mediums (here in linen cloth and wool yarn); graphic novels and comics. I will note the black and white photos are often lacking in fine detail and are printed rather dark; the larger, almost full-page black and white images include more detail. I bought this as well as The Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings 1066 by Mogens Rud and they are both dynamite books.