Product Description

Tattoos have moved into the mainstream and are continuing to grow in popularity. For people contemplating getting a tattoo, however, the choice of images can be overwhelming. THE TATTOO ENCYCLOPEDIA provides a comprehensive and informative exploration of the colourful world of tattoos. It presents precise descriptions of both common and unusual symbols and sheds light on their historic, religious and cultural significance. Organised in a convenient A-Z format, cross-referenced, indexed and illustrated with 300 pieces of authentic tattoo line art, the book features a stunning array of images from ancient Buddhist and Chinese designs to those sported by twenty-first century bikers. Whether choosing a personally significant tattoo, wanting to learn more about a symbol, or simply interested in tattoos as a form of art and body decoration, readers will discover the richness of tattoo culture in this treasury.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33694 in Books
• Published on: 2003-12-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Customer Reviews

poor quality reference book
This book was really dissapointing, very few pictures and the ones that are included are cery basic.

Make sure it's what you're after...
Those who criticize this book for a paucity of illustration are missing the point, I think. Rather than being a pictorial source, this book offers an interesting and frequently insightful guide to the semiotics of tattoo art.

There is plenty here to get you thinking: designs that you may never have heard of as well as new perspectives on old chestnuts. Some of the un-illustrated oddities are a little frustrating, but it's easy enough to find examples elsewhere.

Absorbing it is. A flash-book it ain't.

Don't Judge This Book by Its cover
The cover is without doubt the best thing about this book. Its like a cheap 'all about horoscopes' book that you'd get from a bargain book store for £1.99 inside - cheap paper and poor (actually very poor) illustrations. Not my idea of good tattoo book for sure and possibly quite dated. Tripe.