The Green Man: Spirit of Nature

by John Matthews

Hardcover, 2002

Status

Available

Call number

508

Collection

Publication

Red Wheel/Weiser: Boston, MA (2002), Edition: Book and Access, Hardcover, 64 pages

Description

He's known as Green Jack, Puck, the Green Knight, Pan, Robin Hood, and the Jolly Green Giant, and likely many more names lost in the mists of time. The Green Man is an ancient symbol of nature and fertility and wildness, whose leafy image can be seen today on buildings and in artwork from various cultures all over the world. This gift box is a wonderful introduction to the Green Man and all that he represents. With 25 full-color images from throughout the ages and across cultures, the book traces the many strands of the legend -- from the first agrarian people of the ancient world to our own time when the Green Man has become an unofficial icon for the environmental movement. A uniquely crafted plaque depicting the Green Man in his benign guise completes the package. The plaque was specially designed for this kit and will provide a whimsical touch of nature in the garden, on the patio, or in any room in the house.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Treeseed
This is a wonderful little gift set that contains a sculpted plaque of the Green Man and a colorful and detailed hard cover book about the Green Man in history, legend, myth and in modern times. The artistry used in creating the plaque is excellent and the deep dark green face of this god of the
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Green World is happily wild and makes a wonderful addition to a home where Nature is respected and loved.
The book, though small, contains an abundance of information and photographs and images from art of the Green Man in his various guises. John Matthews, one of the leading authorities on the subject of the Green Man treats us to a good sampling of the attributes of this Spirit of Nature as he describes his influence in the art and spirituality of several cultures from around the world. He traces the Green Man from his early roots among ancient agrarian peoples to his fame as a decorative device upon countless cathedrals and other buildings throughout the world. The book also tells of the resurgance of The Green Man's popularity in modern times and his role in the protection of the threatened green world. There is a lovely "walking meditation" included in the book and many suggestions on how to incorporate the Green Man into your own spiritual life. In the back of the book is a list of locations throughout the world where the Green Man can be spotted.
My favorite part of the book is the lovely selection of photographs of the various interpretations of the Green Man. This is a perfect gift set for anyone interested in the Green Man or in Ecology. Gardeners will love it. People embarking on new beginnings will be blessed by it. Old friends of the Green Man will welcome it and people who are meeting him for the first time will be treated to a wonderful introduction.
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LibraryThing member Osbaldistone
A broad, shallow introduction to what a 'green man' is and how he appears in different cultures and different times. Not bad for a 1-hour read. Decent writing, but, with a sentence like "For the first time men had climbed higher than ever before", one wonders about the editor. Some good photos,
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though heavy on Europe and short on examples from Asia, though discussed in the text. Sort of a tiny coffee-table book, bought as much for the green man plaque included as for the book.

One plus - a list of good places for green man sitings, sorted by continent and country.

Os.
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LibraryThing member jakebornheimer
While likely factually dubious in places, it rings emotionally true. A very calming and centering book.

Language

Physical description

64 p.; 6.58 x 6.48 inches

ISBN

1590030192 / 9781590030196

Other editions

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