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Rating: 
Summary: Pagans, don't bother.
Review: He worked hard, he did the research - and I don't care for it. The deck looks like it was done with Bic Bananas, and he's completely changed the Fool from the true fool he is on the old Minchiate decks, to what Barney would look like if he didn't wear a dinosaur suit. I already had the Lo Scarabeo Minchiate deck, and wanted to learn more. This book offers very little in the way of fresh, usable knowledge. The card interpretations have a fluffy, self-help-paperback tone to them. This is the Tarot equivalent of Ralph Blum's Book of Runes - which a lot of people liked, but many of us find to be too Christianised, too fluffy, just not very "occult". I gave him two stars only because he obviously made a huge effort. But a miss is as good as a mile.
Rating: 
Summary: I love the book, and hate the cards.
Review: I love the book by Brian Williams, which is scholarly, informational, clearly written, and very useful (not to mention being the only book about Minchiate cards I know).The deck is well worth the price for the book alone, if nothing else. As for the cards - I dont like the art. It looks like it was drawn with pastel-coloured pencils, and it doesnt speak to me. I've eventually ordered a reproduction of the Minchiate Fiorentine - it's one of 2000 reproductions and I use it with reverance (for fear of ruining it).
Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: The book and cards are a must have for mystical psychic readers who have respect for ancient art. However, the interpretations provided in the book are vague and described like an index.
Rating: 
Summary: beautiful modern rendition of an ancient "expanded" tarot
Review: The inspiration for this deck comes from the Minchiate of Florence, an expanded variant of the Tarot that dates from the early 16th century. The traditional tarot subjects are here (although many are represented differently than in the familiar French/British tarot decks), but 20 additional major arcana cards are also included: all the signs of the zodiac, the four elements, and the four virtues (Prudence, Faith, Hope, and Charity) that are missing from other tarots. The cards are not overloaded with esoteric symbols. Instead, each has an open, elegant feeling, which I find helps relax my mind and bring me into connection with the images. There is a serene, meditative quality that pervades the whole deck, even the pip cards. The pips are mostly without scenic illustrations, although some have intriguing animal vignettes, the meanings of which Williams has researched and included in the book. The book describes each of the major arcana cards in detail, relating them to the art and literature of the Renaissance. (There are hundreds of line drawings of medieval and Renaissance art.) It is a great help in getting into the spirit of this deck, which presents the symbols of the tarot as archetypes alive in the fabric of culture and history, rather than as secret magical emblems. This deck is certainly a beautiful work of art, but it also gives fascinating readings! The additional major arcana open whole new dimensions for interpretation. There is a lot of psychological subtlety in the faces and body language of the figures on the cards, making this deck feel more "human" and emotionally open than many. In addition to divinatory use, I think this deck has a lot to offer as a meditation tool and for personal and interpersonal healing. Many will no doubt prefer a tarot deck based on the familiar 78-card Tarot de Marseille and its descendents, such as the Waite-Smith deck. But for those who are intrigued by the expanded tarot universe of the ancient Minchiate system, this deck is unique, indispensible, and a delight to work with.
Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: this is a wonderful book and cards collection....its more exact than any other set!
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