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Master Pieces Editorial Review: This text explores the long history of chess with a mix of historical fact and colourful anecdote. The book features 30 of the most influential chess sets, because the chess pieces themselves tell a story of war, revolution, peace and religion, technology, art and sport.
Customer Reviews: Interesting but not architecture at all interesting enough standard chess history but nothing on actual chess piece architecture or chess piece design or manufacturing. nothing on turning or different sets that could be turned on a lathe. mostly either ancient hand-carved sets or very ornate antique sets.
A Masterpiece Indeed! I just finished reading Master Pieces and I found it highly enjoyable.There are many beautiful pictures of Chess Pieces from around the world from ancient to modern.It is very informative and easy to read.I thank my friend (EP) for giving it to me.If you love Chess, this book is for you. (VLS)
This is an art history book. I bought this book, hoping it would contain detailed information on particular technical aspects of individual chess pieces. The only measured diagram is on the cover. The rest of the book consists of bits of chess trivia and continuous anecdotal descriptions of chess pieces throughout history interspersed with photographs and paintings of different styles of pieces. While the illustrations are nice, I would have liked to see more details about the chess "architecture" and less fluff. All we have here are objects. No effort is made to describe in detail the size or proportions of the pieces or to compare or contrast sets and styles beyond the photographic presentations of them. The most we are told is what material they are made from. The book is a nice brief pice of art history. If this is what you are looking for, then it is the book for you. Perhaps a second volume could be published to accompany this one that actually speaks at length about the "architecture" of the pieces. They would make a nice set.
Wonderful Book This is an excellent book for anyone even remotely interested in Chess. Not only does it describe the evolution of the design of chess pieces and boards, but it also provides many interesting historical tidbits. The book explains in detail why, where, and when changes were brought about in chess. I highly recommend this book to all people who enjoy chess or even just design.
Wonderful Book This is an excellent book for anyone even remotely interested in Chess. Not only does it describe the evolution of the design of chess pieces and boards, but it also provides many interesting historical tidbits. The book explains in detail why, where, and when changes were brought about in chess. I highly recommend this book to all people who enjoy chess or even just design.
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