A Little Book of the Green Man (Little Books Of...Series)

I was somewhat disappointed with the photos in this little book. Compared with Harding's book on gargoyles the photos were not as clear and interesting. However, I must admit that the subject is more difficult because it involves more indoor photography which the gargoyles generally did not. My interest is the study of the Green Man in England, Ireland and Scotland and this book covers world wide examples which I certainly appreciate, but are not my interest. The commentary is succinct and entertaining and worth dipping into.

Fascinating study of an image that is ubiquitous. You've seen his face almost everywhere, yet you never stop to think about who he is. Got me going on a photo safari to find as many images as possible. Not difficult. Just look around you with newly opened eyes.

as described and reasonable shipping time

interessting

Nice pictures. Relatively shallow and scattershot treatment of the topic, short on scholarship. Disappointing.

Terrific

Written by a popular British folk music radio show host, this small gift book presents twenty-seven photographic examples of Green Man images along with a brief history of each image and the location it was found. Harding describes the Green Man image in relation to: the Wheel of Life and round heads; Victorian, Romanesque, Italianate and Anglo-Indian foliate heads; angels, Christ, fruit, stained glass heads, and misericords; animal heads, roof bosses, and horns; gold and wooden heads; and as guardian figures including the Celt-influenced, Jack and the May King. Most of the images are from Britain and Scotland, but Harding includes several from Borneo, France, Nepal, India, and Rajasthan. Throughout the book, Harding discusses different types of Green Man heads, controversies surrounding the images, and makes the case that the Green Man is an archetypal image connected to nature and her cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This book has a handful of different Green Man images not included in The Green Man, Kathleen Bansford's well-known academic commentary on many Green Man images. This book would be a superb gift to a reader interested in a quick look into many the different images and facts about the Green Man image.Ms. Jamieson Haverkampf,M.F.A. Creative Writing candidate at Northwest Institute of Literary Arts (specializing in writing for children and young adults) and author of the 4-time award winning 500+ resource guide Mom Minus DadMom Minus Dad: The Essential Resource Guide for Busy Adults with a Newly Widowed ParentMom Minus Dad: The Essential Resource Guide for Busy Adults with a Newly Widowed Parent Kindle book

One man's search for the truth and origins of the 'Green Man'. Even today people decorate and protect their gardens with symbols of the green man. I have one in my garden; with a hummingbird, of course. Green Man origins appear to be pagan, but the author has discovered images and expressions of the green man in ancient poems and old manuscripts, in Christian churches, Jain Temples, in May Day processions, associated with The Knights Templar, Celtic, Roman, Greek and Egyptian traditions. A common theme seems to be a fusion between man and the vegetable world. Some feel that the green man is the Old Guardian of the Forest or symbolizes the birth and resurrection of all life. Fascinating reading.

Little it certainly is – 65 pages each 15x15cm. Every other page is a full page, beautiful colour photograph. The intervening pages have another small colour photo, plus about 200 words of commentary on the pictures. The subjects are well chosen and the writing is bright and pithy.One can debate the inclusion of certain items which are neither green, nor men. But Harding does not speculate without telling you he is doing so. In fact, I enjoyed the little speculative asides. Yes, Mike, what is the link between the Green Man and the Knights Templar?At the end of the book, the Green Man remains an enigma – a non-Biblical symbol who is ubiquitous in the Christian churches and cathedrals of the Middle Ages. He had no role in the liturgy, so what is he doing there?Harding has no answers just lovely photos and some well chosen words.

This is a nice little book with clear and pleasing descriptions and narratives of various green men both in the UK and elsewhere, accompanied by decent photographs. The book will act as a good guide to anyone who has started to develop a keen interest in this ancient and mysterious figure. The book was also very reasonably priced.

a lovely little book, Harding is a national treasure..although he probably wouldn't appreciate me categorising him that way.. he's a one off then, the true holder of the folk crown and not one of the many pretenders that lurk about on the fm airways, especially that mark radcliffe. erm, now back to the book, would be great this book could be expanded? more talk of Mike's journeys in looking for the Green Man and perhap some music links too??

a lot more information than you would think possible, the number of these old carvings Mike found in countless churches from near and far is impressive, as is the quality of the book and pics equally so.

Nice cover but thats about it , I would save your money and find pictures for free on the net and read any information on the Green man on the net as well as it seems there is NO real written info in history on the Green man