SKU: 62677757601

The Book of Beasts: Being a Translation from a Latin Bestiary of the Twelfth Century

Sale price$15.26 Regular price$16.96
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $4.24 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 3 - Aug 8

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

The Book of Beasts: Being a Translation from a Latin Bestiary of the Twelfth CenturyIf a serpent swallows the spittle of a fasting man, it dies. Trees felled in the wrong season breed termites. If eels are drowned in wine, those who drink it get a loathing for liquor. These and similar flights of fancy were articles of faith in the twelfth century the era of the fascinating Latin prose bestiary translated in this volume. The translator is T. H. White, author of The Once and Future King and outstanding medievalist. Of The Book of

If a serpent swallows the spittle of a fasting man, it dies. Trees felled in the wrong season breed termites. If eels are drowned in wine, those who drink it get a loathing for liquor.
These and similar flights of fancy were articles of faith in the twelfth century -- the era of the fascinating Latin prose bestiary translated in this volume. The translator is T. H. White, author of The Once and Future King and outstanding medievalist. Of The Book of Beasts, White writes: No Latin prose bestiary has ever before been printed, even in Latin. This is the first and only English translation in print.
The bestiary was a bestseller in the Middle Ages, a kind of natural history cum-zoological survey that presumed to describe the animals of the world and to point out the human traits they exemplified. Combining the surprisingly accurate with the endearingly phantasmagorical, the bestiarists came up with a bewildering array of real and exotic creatures. The behavior or attributes of the animals often functioned as a metaphor for teaching religious, moral, and political precepts.
In addition to a multitude of real mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish, described here with varying degrees of zoological accuracy, the bestiarist introduces a swarm of fanciful denizens thought to haunt the Dark Ages: manticore, a creature with a man's face, a lion's body, and a ravenous appetite for human flesh; dragon or draco, the biggest serpent and the embodiment of the Devil; amphivia, a fish that could walk on land and swim in the sea; jaculus, a flying serpent; the familiar phoenix; the griffin; and other exotic fauna. Much of the charm of this edition lies in the copious footnotes compiled by T. H. White. With immense erudition, wit, grace, and a singular lack of condescension, the author illuminates literary, scientific, historical, linguistic, and other aspects of the bestiarist's catalog. He further enhances the volume with informative discussions of the history of the bestiary from its origins in remote oral traditions; through Herodotus, Pliny and Aristotle; during the medieval period and the Renaissance; and up to Sir Thomas Browne's Vulgar Errors (1646). Both amusing and amazing, The Book of Beasts is not only a rich survey of the proto-zoology on which much of our later science is based, but also a revealing, illustrated examination of how pre-scientific man perceived the earth's creatures.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Dover Publications
Published: 12/22/2010
ISBN: 9780486246093
Pages: 320
Weight: 0.81lbs
Size: 8.24h x 5.66w x 0.69d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 62677757601

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.2 ★★★★★
Based on 20 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
E
Verified Purchase
Erin R
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Fit, Great Feel — A New Go-To for Workouts
Special Size: with Contrast Trim, Size: Medium, Color: Navy/White
Really impressed with this workout tank! The fit was spot-on — snug enough to stay in place during movement but not too tight. It didn’t ride up during my workout, which is always a win. The material is soft, breathable, and wicked away sweat really well during both strength training and cardio. It honestly reminds me of the higher-end athletic tanks I’ve tried — same feel, but at a much better price point. Definitely one of those pieces you’ll want in multiple colors! Pros: ✔️ Comfortable, moisture-wicking fabric ✔️ Stays put during workouts ✔️ Flattering and functional ✔️ Great quality for the price
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2025
C
Verified Purchase
Corke
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 1
Loose under arms, flattens you out
Special Size: with Contrast Trim, Size: Medium, Color: Black/White
I saw an influencer recommend this workout top, but was disappointed in the look and fit. It was saggy under the arms and flattened by bust in an unflattering way. This was returned.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2026
J
Verified Purchase
JJ
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent quality ~ Great price
Special Size Type: Quarter Zip, Size: Large, Color: Flamingo Pink
Excellent quality, bright pink a beautiful cheerful color, washes well. Fits perfectly, ordered a large from fitting nice long sleeves. Fabric is soft and not too thin or thick. Great price, wish it came in more colors I’d buy a few more.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2026
M
Verified Purchase
Michelle B
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Definitely an essential jacket for athletic-wear & flattering
Special Size Type: Full Zip, Size: XX-Large, Color: Black
Great quality for a great price! I was looking for a versatile athletic jacket to run in that fits over light tops & found this on Amazon. There were only a few left so I grabbed it right away, so glad I did! It's warm enough for early fall, I live in NC so I will probably use it throughout the winter too bc it's warm here. I feel like the arm length is a bit long & the sleeves a little bit tight under LS Tops but are meant to be. This is a form-fitting jacket, it does run small. I usually have to size down from an XXL to an XL in Amazon Essentials clothing bc they run big but this jacket fits me in my regular size XXL. I tried to find this type of jacket at a few different places & already out of stock in October! If it's available, buy it! You'll love it! I hope more colors are available in the future!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2025
N
Verified Purchase
nathalie
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable active wear
Special Size Type: Quarter Zip, Size: XX-Large, Color: Slate Grey
This a comfortable piece of active wear. It fits beautifully and I love the color.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2026

recommand products