Looking for TdM book advice/ suggestions

[Barefoot Fool]

In lieu of being able to afford to purchase the TdM deck I really want, I would like to find a book about the history of the TdM. I want lots of pictures of different decks & discussion of the differences & history & such. I know there are some excellent websites, but I need to be able to curl up with a book and read it. Is there a book like this out there?

 

[le_charior]

Hello!

There are some really good and interesting threads about TdM books already, so i am sure a search will bring some discussions to light, I am thinking of this one here: http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=167047 which recommends Robert Place and Paul Huson's books (which I both liked a lot), but also some others.

I recently read two books by Brian Williams, both originally books accompanying his decks, the Minchiate deck and the Renaissance Tarot - and both books were very informative and interesting in regards to the Tarot in general. A lot of nice illustrations also.

There is Jean-Michel David's book Reading the Marseille Tarot which is discussed here: http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=158075

And there is Explaining the Tarot, a translation of two italian renaissance texts about the Tarot which is highly fascinating, I think: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/books/explaining-italian-renaissance/

And I am sure there is a lot more - but maybe this helps a little already! Enjoy!

 

[Barleywine]

In lieu of being able to afford to purchase the TdM deck I really want, I would like to find a book about the history of the TdM. I want lots of pictures of different decks & discussion of the differences & history & such. I know there are some excellent websites, but I need to be able to curl up with a book and read it. Is there a book like this out there?

If you want lots of (B&W) pictures of decks, there are always Stuart Kaplan's Encyclopedias of Tarot (how many volumes is he up to now? Four?). But the one I have is short on narrative. I also would like a thorough treatise on the various TdMs, especially the variations in imagery and the reasons for it (beyond brand differentiation, that is ) One of my favorite books on the history of tarot is "The Tarot" (catchy title, eh?) by Richard Cavendish (1975), but it has since been superseded by Place, et al. Another one I like is "The Tarot," (huh?) by Joseph Maxwell (1858-1938) that was translated from the French in 1975.

 

[Rasa]

If you want lots of (B&W) pictures of decks, there are always Stuart Kaplan's Encyclopedias of Tarot

I'd second this recommendation.. volume 2 is (mostly) specifically about Marseilles and other antique decks, and I'd recommend it. There are a TON of images of cards so you can compare, and lots of blurbs of info about the particular decks. It's really too bad about the lack of colour.

I also have JMD's book, though I haven't had a chance to read much yet. It looks spectacular, so far!
Certainly historically-focused, and Marseilles focused.

Huson's 'Mystical Origins of the Tarot' is really interesting, but not specifically about Marseilles decks.

 

[sapienza]

I recently read two books by Brian Williams, both originally books accompanying his decks, the Minchiate deck and the Renaissance Tarot - and both books were very informative and interesting in regards to the Tarot in general. A lot of nice illustrations also.

The Renaissance Tarot by Brian Williams is one of my favourite tarot books. It is wonderful, especially if you enjoy classical mythology. I also love Paul Huson's book which, although not specifically about the TdM, is a great tarot reference and has a great history section, in my opinion anyway.

I think some of the most useful information I have found about TdM is here on this forum to be honest.

 

[Barefoot Fool]

Hmm. Thank you thank you, thank you and thank you. (That's four.)

I just looked through all the other threads on these books.

If it is too difficult to read, I will, unfortunately, not read it at this stage in my life, no matter how much interesting material there is in there.

I love how Brian Williams writes, so I like the suggestion of his books. I'll look for them.

And I really want lots of pictures, so I should begin by getting Kaplan's book on interlibrary loan, at least. He is in the position to publish a color comparison of Marseille decks for those of us who can't afford to own them all (hint, hint, Mr. Kaplan...)

And as for:

I think some of the most useful information I have found about TdM is here on this forum to be honest.

I agree. And the tarot history forum. Neither of which I can curl up with. *sigh*
Maybe someday, someone here will write the exact book I am looking for.

 

[Bertrand]

Schweizer Spielkarten 2 is one of the uttermost exciting piece of TdM porn.
If you're looking for an orgy of TdM (mostly type 2) colour pictures this is a book you really want.

 

[Barefoot Fool]

Schweizer Spielkarten 2 is one of the uttermost exciting piece of TdM porn.
If you're looking for an orgy of TdM (mostly type 2) colour pictures this is a book you really want.

drool
drool
drool

You are so very right. I so really want that exact book. More than I want any deck. It is, unfortunately, $113.70 plus $40.52 shipping from Switzerland.

I think that copy is in German.

 

[sapienza]

I agree. And the tarot history forum. Neither of which I can curl up with. *sigh*
Maybe someday, someone here will write the exact book I am looking for.

Didn't Jean-Michel David (jmd) do a book? He isn't on the forum now but you'll see his insightful posts in a lot of the older threads. I've had the pleasure of meeting him and he is absolutely inspiring with his knowledge, especially of TdM. I know he did an on-line course which I remember containing lots of pictures, but I thought he'd also got a book together, possibly a print on demand thing, or was it just an e-book? Maybe someone here would know.

 

[garmonbozia]

Didn't Jean-Michel David (jmd) do a book? He isn't on the forum now but you'll see his insightful posts in a lot of the older threads. I've had the pleasure of meeting him and he is absolutely inspiring with his knowledge, especially of TdM. I know he did an on-line course which I remember containing lots of pictures, but I thought he'd also got a book together, possibly a print on demand thing, or was it just an e-book? Maybe someone here would know.

It's available as both an e-book and print-on-demand from Lulu.com