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Rating: 
Summary: The best source for clean graphic symbols
Review: Among all the books referred to as "dictionaries" of symbols, this is the one that provides the artist with a truly visual inspiration.The black and white printing lends itself to the elegant and crisp presentation of the publication. Symbols are not obscure drawings, but concise graphic representations. For those interested in the deeper meaning of symbols (not simply their aesthetic appeal), explanations of symbol origin are provided alongside; similar or equivalent symbols are cross-referenced with each other. An excellent source for any designer seeking to add symbolism to his/her work without the frills.
Rating:
Summary: The best source for clean graphic symbols
Review: Among all the books referred to as "dictionaries" of symbols, this is the one that provides the artist with a truly visual inspiration. The black and white printing lends itself to the elegant and crisp presentation of the publication. Symbols are not obscure drawings, but concise graphic representations. For those interested in the deeper meaning of symbols (not simply their aesthetic appeal), explanations of symbol origin are provided alongside; similar or equivalent symbols are cross-referenced with each other. An excellent source for any designer seeking to add symbolism to his/her work without the frills.
Rating:
Summary: Gray's Anatomy for the Searcher After Symbols
Review: Most books on symbols confine themselves to higher level abstractions such as "the lion" or "mercury" or the letters of the alphabet. Liungman's achievement is to create a comprehensive taxonomy for symbols that uses the most basic shapes as building blocks to create ascending chains of meaning. As such, it is an original work of scholarship rather than a gazetteer of common symbols. "The Dictionary of Symbols" is a gold mine of information for readers interested in graphic design or the "semiotics," if I may be allowed to use the term, behind supposedly abstract shapes and designs. Did you ever wonder about the significance of the Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen logos or the three diamonds of the Mitsubishi symbol? Would world history have been different if the Nazi swastika had pointed the other way? These and many other questions of similar nature are knowledgeably and enjoyably explored in this very impressive book.
Rating:
Summary: Gray's Anatomy for the Searcher After Symbols
Review: Most books on symbols confine themselves to higher level abstractions such as "the lion" or "mercury" or the letters of the alphabet. Liungman's achievement is to create a comprehensive taxonomy for symbols that uses the most basic shapes as building blocks to create ascending chains of meaning. As such, it is an original work of scholarship rather than a gazetteer of common symbols. "The Dictionary of Symbols" is a gold mine of information for readers interested in graphic design or the "semiotics," if I may be allowed to use the term, behind supposedly abstract shapes and designs. Did you ever wonder about the significance of the Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen logos or the three diamonds of the Mitsubishi symbol? Would world history have been different if the Nazi swastika had pointed the other way? These and many other questions of similar nature are knowledgeably and enjoyably explored in this very impressive book.
Rating: 
Summary: Useful but Organizationally Flawed
Review: This is a rich sourcebook of information about graphic symbols from around the world. The text is detailed and covers the subject in depth. Several articles at the beginning of the book discuss the various uses of these signs and symbols around the world. The book's key failure, IMHO, is that the author uses an indexing system that is hard to follow. For example, you will found various kinds of crosses scattered through many categories. It is hard to understand exactly what led him to group which symbols where. On a few occasions, you will find symbols grouped with signs that seemingly bear no relationship in either shape or meaning. Use this book for the definitions, but be prepared to wade through a lot of material if you don't happen to know the name of the sign at the start of your research.
Rating:
Summary: Useful but Organizationally Flawed
Review: This is a rich sourcebook of information about graphic symbols from around the world. The text is detailed and covers the subject in depth. Several articles at the beginning of the book discuss the various uses of these signs and symbols around the world. The book's key failure, IMHO, is that the author uses an indexing system that is hard to follow. For example, you will found various kinds of crosses scattered through many categories. It is hard to understand exactly what led him to group which symbols where. On a few occasions, you will find symbols grouped with signs that seemingly bear no relationship in either shape or meaning. Use this book for the definitions, but be prepared to wade through a lot of material if you don't happen to know the name of the sign at the start of your research.
Rating: 
Summary: Dictionary of Symbols' reach is well beyond its grasp.
Review: While the selection and classification structure of the symbols in the dictionary has much to offer, the actual _descriptions_ of the symbols leave plenty to be desired. The authour seems to come from an astrological background, and the gaps in his knowledge (particularly with respect to electronic, hobo, and non-Christian religious symbols) are evident throughout; especially when seen side-by-side with the verbose coverage of astrological and Judeo-Christian symbols. While the classification scheme is amazing, and very well thought out, the actual content is rather below what I expected.
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