Customer Reviews

Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book for my adult sister who has a bit of an affinity for dragons, thinking it would be a "cute" little gift. When the book arrived, I was so impressed with the cover alone! It's a deep red, with red foil lined dragons and four "emeralds," alluding to the notion that dragons are attracted to gems. I couldn't help but read it myself...and I must say it will be hard to relinquish it to my sister! It's full of illustrations, as well as "samples" of dragon scales and dragon dust. It references some of our greats, such as Merlin, Marco Polo and Magnus...just to name a few. Yes, it's fiction. Yes, it's an easy read. Yet any adult who appreciates our old world legends will have a blast with this book!

It's a beautifully produced, funny, most amazing book I've seen on the "science" of Dragonology. Very good idea, beautiful illustrations, witty text, fun pull-outs, even samples of shed dragon skin, wing membranes and dragon dust. We learn much about dragons, from their life cycles and behaviors to their flying techniques... At one meeting all mother's from my son's preschool made a collective order for 17 copies of Dragonology together with additional 17 copies of "Why Some Cats Are Rascals" - an incredibly educational cat's story for children.

I'm a 6th grade art teacher. A student brought the book for me to see, shortly after Christmas. I left it laying on the corner of my desk, and walked away. Looking back, I spotted 5 students gathered around it whispering quietly, (and my students don't whisper quietly).
And so it went, through the day....through the week...They were ENGROSSED!...puzzles, riddles, dragon runes...secret formulas....
Well, I have to say, I ordered one for my class, one for myself, and one for a friend, and my students are conspiring to get up a HUMONGOUS order for DRAGONOLOGY.
From age 7 to 170.....it's a great fantasy and art book.

This book will turn any Dragon skeptic into a believer. The layout is like a bird book describing each dragons habitat and other interesting facts. It also has lots of add ons such as bits of dragon skin and wings that you can feel. My 8 year old loves it.

If you love dragons, then you'll love this book. It's an encyclopedia of dragons with fabulous pull outs and wonderful illustrations. I loved it so much, that I've bought it for quite a few friends as a present. It always delights.

Ever wonder why Smaug hoarded all that treasure? Apparently it was just to impress the lady dragons. That's only one detail of "Dr. Ernest Drake's Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons," a faux-scholarly book that gives intricate details to the legendary beasts. (The actual author is Dugald A. Steer).

Without robbing dragons of their mystique, we get an overview of them: there are intricate studies of the different kinds of dragons, from the Eastern lung to the Australian marsupial (which is a bit too silly for the tongue-in-cheek tone of the book). "Dr. Drake" also examines their habits, such as courtship rituals and parenting, as well as the the biological means by which they spew flames, and the reason why they hoard gems.

He also gives quite a bit of advice for the budding dragonolist, ranging from the obscure (hide shiny objects from baby dragons) to the ordinary (wear fireproof clothing). Finally, there is a historical overview of famous dragonologists from around the world, and spells that assist them.

Dragons are a staple of legend and literature, although a neglected one. Though "Dragonology" is presented as a serious work, Steer never forgets to keep his tongue in cheek. It's a fun read, with lots of detail and thought -- after all, it can't be easy to document the physiology of a beast that doesn't, technically, exist.

Taken on its own, the book might merely be cute. But Steer also includes little details like a faux library card belonging to Ernest Drake, a little letter enclosed in a special envelope, and an inscription on the inner front cover: "To Friendly Dragons" followed by a bunch of Tolkienesque runes.

And the illustrations are as much a part as the faux-scholarly text. Classic-looking pictures of various kinds of dragons are only one part of it; there are also looks at embroyonic dragons in the egg, the different egg shapes, a foldout map that shows where the various species live, and several pictures of the anatomy of dragons, including musculature, skeleton, and things like claws, wing "fingers" and optic nerves.

Okay, maybe dragons don't exist. Big deal. The faux-scholarly tone, exquisite illustrations and intricate detail of "Dr. Ernest Drake's Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons" makes it an immensely fun read.

If you want a book that will pull the kids away from the computer, this is the book. It is interactive, rich, detailed and deep and the kind of book that a child can just pick up and peruse again and again. Beautiful artwork, brilliant little bits and pieces that will keep kids enchanted for a long long time.

Or is it "Buy the dragon!!!".

I was looking around the children's section when I spied this book. It is absolutely neat in everyway. If you are a dragon lover this is a MUST HAVE. Even better the Flight of Dragons, IMO.

I really like this book because it really shows you a different perspective on dragons.

I saw this book in a bookstore, and I just had to have it. I was drawn more to the pictures and the cover design, than the text inside, but when I read it I was amazed. I actually believed it was real, as if I could go out and find myself a dragon. This book is really amazing and can be enjoyed by everyone, young and old. It doesn't matter how old you are to believe and believing in magical beasts is what makes us stay young. Its a fabulous book!!!