Synopsis
400 pages - Over 1,000 original large-format color photographs created especially for this master reference. Prussian Blue rewrites the reference - history book. Nowhere will you find such a comprehensive visual history of the Order Pour le Mérite. State-of-the-art photography captures the original awards of kings and kaisers, tsars and generals, princes and statesmen, in all their glory.
Review
The Order Pour le Mérite. Mystical siren of glass and gold; slave to the whim of Hohenzollern king and emperor. A history more blood-red than blue enamel. This is its story, narrated in vivid color and exquisite detail. Crack the spine and enter a realm of knights and flyers, their common thread a thirst for Prussian Blue. Over 1,000 original large-format color photographs created especially for this master reference. Prussian Blue rewrites the reference - history book. Nowhere will you find such a comprehensive visual history of the Order Pour le Mérite. State-of-the-art photography captures the original awards of kings and kaisers, tsars and generals, princes and statesmen, in all their glory. Over 1,000 original large-format color photographs created especially for this master reference. A vast exhibit of awards with known PLM recipients. Never-before published portraits complement a historical essay of over 60,000 words. The highest and rarest Pour le Mérites known to exist are examined in depth for the very first time. Super-crisp details dissect the PLM like never before. --Jim West
Since decades I read books about military history and actual relicts including orders and decorations. History makes these "remains" come alive. Previtera's book is a combination of teaching history and the same time showing to the reader details and variations of this very rare and charismatic and most famous Prussian/German decoration. You learn about the early pieces and recipiants (in the historical context of that time) but Previtera leads you through the centuries and different wars Prussia was part of until that state became the leader of a united Germany in 1871 and on until the German Empire and Prussia disappeared in b1918. While this decoration in it's early stages was awared also as a "civil" merrit award it soon became a strict bravory award very rarely handed out! (A "civil" version pour le merite was created as well to award the leaders in art and sinence). Through all times only the Prussian Kings signed the award documents up until 1918, - all of this well documented in Previtera's book! The absolutely clear and excellent pictures allow you to see details of the decorations of all times and all jewlers and goldsmiths entrusted to make these awards, all pictures show the awards very closely and in detail. - Who ever is interested in German/Prussian history... and/or in relicts of these times should own this book. There has been nor there is anything like it on the market. Although I went through the book several times already... I love looking at those pictures! Your money is well spent. Since you cannot "re-invent the wheel": This will stay being "The Book" about the pour le merite --A sincere and entertaining book! By wilhelm steifensand
Before the 1970s, art books and collectors references used to suffer from too much dry prose and too few compelling visuals. But Previtera's whole series of collectors' references (by Winidore Press) have now raised the genre to an incredible level of vivid, memorable descriptions coupled with large format, crisp--and even sexy--visuals. How can a Pour le Merite look sexy? Buy this book and you will see its curves and features presented in rich, full color, and graphic detail. Previtera comes from the world of advertising and graphic design and every page shows. The danger of buying his books, which are not cheap (because he scours the world's best collections and museums for the choicest specimens and artwork), is that you won't feel the need to collect the items, just his books! His text is always rounded out with interesting sidebars and features on personalities, actions, and other arcana. No matter how much you know you will learn something and see something you've never encountered before. My comments apply to all his books--I heartily recommend Iron Time, too. --By john mccabe bell
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