The Tattoo Encyclopedia: A Guide to Choosing Your Tattoo

I first saw this book at a tattoo shop. I started looking up all my tattoos and found that I was actually right about most of them! I bought one and haven't been able to put it down. If you're looking for some big bang for your buck, you can not go wrong here! Since I had already seen a copy, I knew exactly what I was getting. There's about one drawing for every 3 or 4 entries. The entries are short but enough to let you know if you should be getting that tat or not.

This book puts a lot of information together in one place and is something that anybody who wants a tattoo would want to have. Lots of images and tons of different symbols make this a real reference book. You can find classic tattoo symbols like the Crawling Panther but it also has stuff like Om and lots of variations on a theme (different kinds of crosses, animals, etc.). It gets you thinking about all the different tattoos that there are to choose from. I also just enjoyed reading the various facts from all over the world. I bought this book together with "Ink" and they make a nice pair.

I've been tattooing for over 20 years...not a novice at this business of tattoos! Found this book at our library and rushed to buy my own for the shop. This book is fascinating and informative. Nice, concise and fun!! I highly recommend shop owners get a copy to have around when those know-it-all's come in with their off the wall 'new' ideas. Bought it used but even at full price it's great!! One reviewer complained it didn't give info on how-to....hey, get an apprenticeship folks and DO IT RIGHT. A doctor doesn't learn brain surgery by buying a scapel and practicing on his friends, huh?? This business can kill you if you're uneducated. (and nice job, Greg, the illustrations are fun!!)

This book has it all! If you want to get a tattoo that everybody else in the world doesn't already have, read through it. I'm using it to design my own.

This is a fantastic resource for anybody who's thinking about getting a tattoo. In fact, I would go so far as to say that you shouldn't get a tattoo without reading this book. You can look up tattoo symbols by name, by type, or just thumb through the whole thing looking at all the fantastic illustrations. I bought the book when I decided the time had come to take the tattoo plunge, but realized I had no idea what design I would want or would look good. This book helped me choose a design I would never have thought of by myself. Even if you're not considering a tattoo yourself, the entries make for fascinating reading. Every tattoo shop should have one of these! I'm waiting for the sequel on jewelry!