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Instruments of Death (2007) John Kelly (Designer), Kate Simkins (Editor) ? Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd ISBN: 9781405318372 Condition: Used (but mercifully unarmed) Behold: Instruments of Death , the cheerfully macabre Dorling Kindersley production that asks, ?What if we made a beautifully illustrated book about all the ways humans have tried to bonk, skewer, batter, blast, and generally inconvenience each other throughout history?? Designed by John Kelly, edited by Kate Simkins, and now sold in gloriously Used condition by Crappy Old Books , this is basically a coffee-table catalogue of humanity?s least cuddly inventions. Inside this handsomely grim volume you?ll find the usual DK hallmarks: Razor-sharp photos laid out with suspiciously gleeful precision. Weapons shot in glossy close-up like they?re auditioning for a modelling contract. Diagrams and snippets of history that calmly explain that yes, someone really did think this was a good idea at the time. The unmistakable vibe of a museum gift shop book that decided to lean fully into ?yikes, but educational.? You?ll tour the greatest hits of human hostility: swords that look far too decorative for what they were used for, axes designed by people with ?overcompensation? energy, and various contraptions from history that basically say, ?We had time, metal, and poor judgement.? It?s all safely confined to the page, of course?no batteries, ammo, or liability waivers required. Now, about this particular copy, as curated by Crappy Old Books . Condition: Used here means: The cover may show light scuffing, as though it?s been slid on and off a shelf by someone whispering ?just one more look at the halberds.? The corners are a bit softened, in charming contrast to the very unsoft things illustrated inside. The spine has a dignified curve, suggesting repeated consultation by an enthusiast who says ?fascinating? a lot and has strong opinions about armour. The pages themselves may display: Slightly mellowed edges, the paper equivalent of a veteran museum guide who?s seen things and just nods quietly now. The occasional faint thumbprint, likely from someone turning pages a bit too quickly when they got to the more dramatic contraptions. That satisfying, ?broken-in reference book? feel where it opens easily and lies flat, as though already resigned to being your go-to source for ?what on earth is that ?? Despite the sinister subject matter, this is still textbook DK: clean layouts, tidy captions, and an overall tone of, ?Yes, it?s horrifying, but we measured it and made a neat infographic, so it?s fine.? It?s history, not instruction manual. Ideal for: Armchair historians who enjoy their past with a side of ?I?m glad I live now, actually.? Teenagers who were meant to be revising something sensible but got distracted by a page of medieval pointy things. Adults who maintain they?re ?not really into weapons? yet mysteriously know the difference between a mace and a morning star. Anyone who believes the only thing better than a glossy DK book is a slightly scruffy DK book that?s already survived a previous life on someone else?s shelf. This is not a pristine, shrink-wrapped, display-only volume. This is Instruments of Death with character: a reference book that?s been opened, browsed, possibly shown to a bored relative who regretted asking, ?What are you reading?? By choosing this Crappy Old Books copy, you?re adopting a visually lush, gently worn guide to the sharp, pointy and generally inadvisable parts of history?served in full colour, mildly scuffed, and 100% safe to handle without gloves, armour, or a legal briefing. It?s educational. It?s slightly unnerving. And it?s ready for its next peaceful posting on your bookshelf. THIS BOOK BEARS THE CRAPPY OLD BOOKS STAMP. IF THAT IS UNDESIRABLE PLEASE DO NOT BUY THIS. THE STAMP MARKS WHICH IS USUALLY TO THE FRONT AND BACK INNER PAGES SAYS SOLD BY CRAPPY OLD BOOKS WITH WEB SITE URL. IT IN NO WAY DEMINISHED FROM THE READING. IF YOU WANT A P.
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