New From Cognoscenti Books – July 2013

HEALTH AND WELL BEING: A MEDIEVAL GUIDE

Profusely illustrated with 132 full colour images from 6th century Byzantium, 11th century Iraq and 14th century Italy

The Tacuinum Sanitatis is a medieval handbook on Health and Well Being. First printed in Europe in 1531, it was aimed at an educated secular readership and offered concise and sensible advice on how to live a long, healthy and enjoyable life. Four handsomely illustrated manuscripts of the Tacuinum survive, all produced in Lombardy and now housed, respectively, at libraries in Rome, Vienna, Paris and Liège.

The Latin text describes in detail the beneficial and harmful properties of plants and foodstuffs, as well as considering social, physiological and psychological aspects of wellness. Following established medieval principles, it sets forth six essential elements for mental and physical well-being.

Price : US$8.99

THE ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF DRAGONS AND DRAGON LORE

A new illustrated edition of Ernest Ingersoll’s classic 1928 study of dragons in all their multifarious forms, from Imperial China to St. George. 54,000 words, 92 historical images, 30 contemporary images

Belief in dragons has united humanity more than the belief in any other mythological creature. From China and Japan, through Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East, to Europe and even Central America, the image of the dragon has burned brightly in the imaginations of our forefathers. Even today dragons continue to fascinate. In the 21st century, far from disappearing, dragons and dragon lore have spawned a wide range of fantasy books, games, TV series and movies that are enduringly popular worldwide – as indeed are dragon tattoos.

Ernest Ingersoll’s classic 1928 study of Dragons and Dragon Lore is here reproduced, together with a new introductory essay by Daniel Henley and a unique collection of full colour high definition dragon images from across the world.

Price : US$8.99