The Bestiary of Christ Book

Quite a resourceful and accessible presentation. The print is flawless, the paper relaxing to read, not a bright white. D.M. Dooling did the English-reading world a service with his labour. All is explained in his foreword. He provides new bibliographical notes to each and every chapter, from which further research can be conducted. These notes alone, surrounding the rather niche nature of this topic, are worth the price of the book. Anyone interested in classical, Christian, medieval, or heraldic iconography should pick up a copy. If you're wondering how much effort it takes to "get through" this, don't fret. Each chapter is a standalone presentation of a different animal or mythological beast. There are over sixty, categorized. Each has its own relevant historical illustrations to the context, with notes. These may be read at separate times, there is no need to read the book straight through. Dooling sets to task with care and deliberation, to treat this unique work with the respect it deserves. His narrative of the biographical details concerning Charbonneau-Lassay and the tragic difficulties preservation and publication of his work encountered. Multiple complete French editions were published, but there are no unabridged editions in English. There was also a Spanish translation, in two volumes, by Francesc Gutierrez. Additionally, post-publication of this volume (1991), more of Charbonneau-Lassay's work was compiled and published, but again, not in English. One may hop over to worldcat, and search for Louis Charbonneau-Lassay. I rated it 5 stars, but this doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see the unabridged version in English someday, and in a hardcover edition.