THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE HORSE. - Hardcover

Elwyn Hartley Edwards.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1564586146 ISBN 13: 9781564586148

Publisher: DK Publishing., 1994

Synopsis

Hundreds of stunning photographs highlight a comprehensive guide to horses, offering a wide range of information covering subjects such as the evolution of the horse and an exploration of the role horses have played in history. 50,000 first printing.

About this title

Reviews

YA?A comprehensive examination of the horse. Each of the approximately 150 breed descriptions is accompanied by information on its development, size, and historical significance. Separate chapters cover special contemporary uses of horses that range from police mounts to steeplechasing and trotting competitions, as well as their place in history. Photographs of the Lascaux Cave drawings, the Standard of Ur, and Egyptian tomb paintings are among the many illustrations showing humankind's earliest records of our interaction with this animal. Sculptures and paintings from numerous later cultures and eras portray not only the ways horses have been used, but also their beauty. Hundreds of clear, full-color photographs are included. A section on anatomy and coloration makes this book useful for reference, while the straightforward, lively writing style makes the short chapters enjoyable to read.?Carolyn E. Gecan, Thomas Jefferson Sci-Tech, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edwards is a noted authority on horses and horsemanship with three other books on this subject to his credit. This beautifully illustrated encyclopedia covers 150 different breeds. More than 1,000 full-color illustrations, maps, photographs, and portraits are included.

The work is divided into 10 parts: the evolution of the horse, domestication, Eastern influences, classical riding, stud farms, ponies, American influences, work horses, war horses, and sporting horses. A glossary with brief explanations of terms used and an index round out the work. The index is a guide to breeds (in italics), people, equipment, geographic locations, etc., within articles and picture captions. Entries are dominated by color portraits of the breed with brief text on development, uses, confirmation, and temperament. Map inserts show the locations where the breed developed. Scattered among the entries for horse breeds are such topical entries as Police Horses and The American Cowboy.

The work does have some curious omissions. For example, Man o' War is listed, but not Secretariat. Famous pairings such as Alexander the Great and Bucephalus, Napoleon and Marengo, and Wellington and Copenhagen are mentioned, but not Robert E. Lee and Traveler.

Several other horse encyclopedias are still in print, such as the International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds by Jane Kidd (HP, 1986); The Horse: A Complete Encyclopedia by Pam Cary (Octopus, 1987); and Hartley's own Horses (Dorling Kindersley, 1993). Unless demand is high for information on horses, one of these titles will answer most basic questions. The Encyclopedia of the Horse is a beautiful work with outstanding pictures and interesting text. The author's knowledge of horses is apparent in all of the articles. It would be a good purchase for school and public libraries that do not have an illustrated horse encyclopedia.

Expanading on The Ultimate Horse Book (LJ, 12/91), Edwards, an editor and frequent contributor to equestrian magazines, has produced a beautiful reference work for the true horse enthusiast. Centered around finely detailed, full-color illustrations, this book traces the evolution of the horse from its prehistoric roots to the animal as we know it today. Chapters are arranged in chronological order and discuss the various uses that have been made of horses over the years, from work to pleasure and from war to sporting events. Compared with just 80 in his earlier book, Edwards describes over 150 individual breeds, with a two-page spread devoted to each breed. This is neither a how-to book for horse owners nor a training manual for riders. It is instead a true encyclopedia that will appeal to hard-core horse lovers interested in a detailed history of these magnificent creatures and their relationship to humans. As an encylopedia it is unique for its historical perspective. Recommended especially for public libraries.
Deborah Emerson, Monroe Community Coll. Lib., Rochester, N.Y.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: DK Publishing.
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1564586146
• ISBN 13: 9781564586148
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 400