Review by Choice Review
Lavishly illustrated with color reproductions drawn from manuscripts in the British Library and Getty Museum, this glossary is a much-needed introduction to understanding illuminated medieval manuscripts. Technical terms concerning manuscript production are joined by explanations of types of texts and more general contextual concepts such as workshops, libraries, patrons, and various historical styles. There are numerous cross-references and a short but very helpful bibliography. The illustrations not only enrich the book but also add to the clarity of the definitions. Particularly useful are the prefatory full-page photos of internal and external binding structures and elements of illumination. The book joins similar glossaries by the French and German scholars Muzerelle and Jakobi, both cited in the bibliography, making manuscript studies more accessible to a wide general public. The author has previously written a guide to the forms of historical scripts. Her style is accessible and clear while also being thorough and highly informative. Highly recommended for a wide range of readers: general; lower-division undergraduate through professional. J. Oliver; Colgate University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
