A Diversity of Dragons

by Anne McCaffrey

Book Overview

Finally... She's written The Book on Dragons. Anne McCaffrey is as renowned for her knowledge of dragons as she is for her New York Times bestselling novels. In this beautifully designed hardcover, McCaffrey focuses her attention on the fantastical creature's existence throughout history. Her words are complemented by the stunning color portraits by John Howe, noted for his success with several J.R.R. Tolkien calendars and maps. Engagingly conceived,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006105531X
• ISBN13: 9780061055317
• Release Date: September 1997
• Publisher: Harper Voyager
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 2.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 11.3" x 14.5"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

I love my dragons!

I love the Pern series and just wish they could write and publish them faster!

Wonderful Art

This is strictly a story book, and wonderfully done. This is not meant to be a reference book. I love this book and keep it displayed in my living room.

interesting and completly worth your time

I found this Anne McCaffrey book to be interesting, especially since I happened to read most of the books, or knew most of the storys referenced to in A Diversity of Dragons. The simple characters (including herself) were straightfoward, yet evasive, and the plot was complicated in its simplicity. The art work was extrordinary, and could only be displayed properly in the large book. Everytime I look at it I am amazed at the generous detail. All in all I believe that this book rates a five star for its simple honesty. Niether defending dragons or bashing them, but sharing their truths. This book is completely worth your time.

The BEST summary of dragon lore I've ever seen

This is a wonderful book. The artwork is breath-taking. You almost feel as though the dragons will step right off the page into your lap (not always a pleasant thought). Every drawing is so detailed, and you always see something new when you read it. The storyline is entertaining without being overly melodramatic or childish; it catches you from the first paragraph and doesn't let you go. The information about dragons from around the world is not very in-depth in most cases, but it covers so many different lands and legends that it more than makes up for the lack of depth by sheer width of subjects. All in all, it is fantastic and well worth the money spent.

The most interesting history lesson you'll ever have!

IT had been a gloomy, drizzly day - you know, the type of day that just makes you want to curl up with a good book beside a roaring fire and forget about the world. All day I had been working hard, trying to get ready for going back to the grind, but as evening approached I found myself with a few precious moments of freedom, and decided for once to indulge myself. As I scanned the bookshelf for a likely diversion, a colorful dragon caught my eye, and so with not just a bit of curiosity, I picked up the book, grabbed a bag of jelly beans, and sunk into my marvelously cushy chair. And as I opened the book, a world of wonder opened before my eyes... In no time the fog surrounding me had been replaced by a sort of mist that obscured the difference between times. I felt myself in Ireland, talking to Anne McCaffrey and Sean, and was transported instantaneously from there across the globe, half-expecting to find a dragon reading over my shoulder. As the bag of jelly beans shrunk and the number on the clock grew, so did my amazement: Anne McCaffrey has once again worked her unique magic with this book, transforming what is actually a history lesson on dragons into a spellbinding tale of adventure. Her language conveys a homey feeling while at her home, and a sense of wonder and mysticism while sharing the myths of the dragons of the ages. And the illustrations are not to be missed, detailing grand dragons great and small, from noble to adorable. Overall, for fans of McCaffrey, this book is a must read, fascinating and enlightening at the same time.