The Discovery of Dragons
by Graeme Base
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Description
Collection of "rare historical documents" (chiefly letters and dispatches) written by three intrepid adventurers (a Viking explorer, a Chinese female travelling merchant, and a Prussian explorer/cartographer), describing the famous dragons they discovered.Tags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
I was completely obsessed with this book when I was younger, but somehow managed to lose track of it for years - until it showed up in Value Village last summer! I absolutely had to buy it, just to relive a little bit of my childhood. Obviously I still love dragons, even though my obsession has calmed somewhat, so it was great to peruse Bases' "explorers' journal" of dragons. His accompanying writing, while humourous, has decreased somewhat in entertainment value, but the unique physiology of his dragons from around the world holds up to current scrutiny.
All of Graeme Base's books are absolutely stunning from the story to the illustrations. The story is wonderful and only exceeded by the gorgeous illustrations. This book can be read cover to cover but then it is also fun to go back and solve on the hidden puzzles.
Meh. For the casual adult reader this is a weak book, more suited for Base and/or dragon enthusiasts, or children.
Apparently just a way to make more money off of an earlier calendar, by slapping the 12 illustrations for it between two covers and tossing in some peripheral cartoons and silly letters. What's there is mostly harmless, but lacking in the richness of purpose and effect that I find so appealing in his non-rehash works. Also, in the last set of dragons/letters, there are some anachronisms that, disappointingly to me, strongly suggested carelessness, lack of interest, and/or laziness on Base's part (fake references to Darwin from 1847 by a German explorer, but Darwin did not publicize his theory of natural selection until 11 show more years later; also, one of the peripheral cartoons depicts a metal-hulled, mastless ship in reference to an 1864 event. Weren't no such thing in 1864). show less
Apparently just a way to make more money off of an earlier calendar, by slapping the 12 illustrations for it between two covers and tossing in some peripheral cartoons and silly letters. What's there is mostly harmless, but lacking in the richness of purpose and effect that I find so appealing in his non-rehash works. Also, in the last set of dragons/letters, there are some anachronisms that, disappointingly to me, strongly suggested carelessness, lack of interest, and/or laziness on Base's part (fake references to Darwin from 1847 by a German explorer, but Darwin did not publicize his theory of natural selection until 11 show more years later; also, one of the peripheral cartoons depicts a metal-hulled, mastless ship in reference to an 1864 event. Weren't no such thing in 1864). show less
Every household should have a guide for identifying dragons, and this one is highly recommended.
As usual with a Graeme Base book the illustrations are wonderful, with the high level of detail that goes into all of his work. The reports and letters that tell us about the dragons are imaginative and often quite witty. A charming book for older readers
As usual with a Graeme Base book the illustrations are wonderful, with the high level of detail that goes into all of his work. The reports and letters that tell us about the dragons are imaginative and often quite witty. A charming book for older readers
Nice pictures.
Children's, Picture Books
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1990s
309 works; 17 members
Author Information
50+ Works 13,585 Members
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Discovery of Dragons
- Original publication date
- 1996; 1990 (colour plates) (colour plates)
- People/Characters
- Dragon; Rowland W. Greasebeam; Bjorn of Bromme; Soong Mei Ying; Dr E. F. Liebermann; Marty Fibblewitz
- Important places
- Europe; Asia
- Dedication
- Mr. Greasebeam would like to extend his appreciation to his dear wife, and to the many and varied personages whose input has helped make this publication the wonderful creation that it undoubtedly is, most notably the highly ... (show all)esteemed Lesley Dunt and the long suffering Cathy (Lars) Larsen, without whom, etc., etc.
- First words
- SEVERAL YEARS HAVE PASSED since the publication of my exhaustively researched, scientifically accurate and largely overlooked work Dragons, Draaks and Beasties.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.) Prunella Hapsburgernfries and Kurt von Spankleböt lived happily for many years in a picturesque cottage deep in the Black Forest until Kurt was tragically kille in a skiing accident whilst on holiday in Switzerland.
Classifications
- Genres
- Children's Books, Picture Books
- DDC/MDS
- 398.2454 — Social sciences Customs, etiquette & folklore Folklore Folk literature Tales and lore of plants and animals Animals Animals of legend
- LCC
- PZ7 .B29 .D — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 576
- Popularity
- 50,833
- Reviews
- 6
- Rating
- (3.97)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 1
