...These are some of the books I treasure and would recommend to everyone looking for valuable, in-depth sources. Clicking on links will take you to Amazon, where you can find more information about each of the recommended books.
Egg Tempera Medium and Technique
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The Orthodox Word
Apart from high quality Orthodox magazine, St. Herman Press also offers the comprehensive library of books on Patristic thought, lives of Saints, Orthodox doctrine and theology, and spiritual guidance through their online catalog.
The Practice of Tempera Painting
by Daniel V. Thompson
All you ever wanted to know about egg tempera medium, supports, fillers, pigments and egg tempera techniques. This small volume offers a wealth of detailed information - an invaluable resource for iconographers.
The Materials and Techniques of Medieval Painting
by Daniel V. Thompson
A companion to "The Practice of Tempera Painting", this book examines the techniques and pigments medieval artists used for their dazzling masterpieces. Useful reference book for iconographers.
The Craftsman's Handbook: "Il Libro dell' Arte"
by Cennino d'Andrea Cennini
15th century handbook, written by an artist and art teacher, reveals secrets and techniques of the masters in drawing, oil painting, frescoes, panel painting, gilding, casting, more. Tips and techniques provided here are not easily found elsewhere and can be very useful to iconographers.
The Painter's Manual of Dionysius of Fourna
by Dionysios
The Painter's manual or Hermeneia left by a 17th century Athonite monk and iconographer Dionysios. His guidelines are still applied and followed on Mount Athos today and are a valuable resource for contemporary iconographers who wish to remain faithful to traditional Byzantine icon.
Orthodox Icons and Iconography
An Iconographer's Patternbook
The Stroganov Tradition
The most beautiful icon begins with well composed and well planned drawing. An Iconographer's Patternbook consists of the line drawings of figures, icons, and scenes that represent patterns of Russian icon writing. It is an indespensable guide and reference book for iconographers, following liturgical year, with drawings of Saints, Apostles and Feasts, along with the complete descriptions of colors, clothing, and other details.
The Russian Icon
by Viktor Nikitich Lazarev
Probably the most comprenesive study of Russian icons available in English language, the book by V. N. Lazarev is a prize-posession for every icon lover and dedicated iconographer. Viktor Lazarev, the acknowledged art historian, master and teacher, presents a rich history of the Russian icon from its origins in the 11th century to its golden age in the 14th and 15th centuries and ending with its decline in 16th century. In this volume 224 pages of stunning full-color prints of Russian icons combine with 140 pages of descriptive text to create a brilliant and memorable work on Russian iconography, including separate chapters on its most famous schools: Moscow, Novgorod and Pskov School.
The Meaning of Icons
by Leonid Ouspensky and Vladimir Lossky
The classic work on Orthodox iconography: techniques, interpretation and language of icons within the context of theology and faith. Includes analysis of specific types of icons, with wide use of scriptures, liturgical texts and patristic quotes for understanding Tradition as a whole.
The Icon, Its Meaning and History
by Mahmoud Zibawi
This book is the treasure-trove of information about the iconography and icon that follows the sacred art from its development in the Byzantine Empire to the twentieth century. Included is thoroughly researched religious and political history, the heresy of iconoclasm, Church councils and principal exponents of iconography through time. With over two hundred examples of iconic art and pages of chronological reference charts, "The Icon: Its Meaning and History" is a masterful historical reference and introduction for dedicated students and iconographers.
The Resurrection and the Icon
by Michel Quenot
In this excellent book Michel Quenot examines the theology of Festal icons, their symbolism and connection to Divine Liturgy. A solid, genuine guide through the world of Orthodox iconography and theology behind it.
Theology of the Icon
by Leonid Ouspensky
The classic two-volume book about the theology of the icon and the standard text upon which most modern studies of iconography are based. Leonid Ouspensky provides a deep insight into the mystery of the sacred image drawing especially on the Russian Orthodox tradition.
Light From The East
by Fr. Michael Evdokimov
Father Michael, a Russian Orthodox Priest, presents a collection of extraordinarily beautiful icons that introduces readers to the spiritual riches of the Eastern Orthodox liturgical tradition. Each of the twelve Festal Icons, representing great Feasts of the Liturgical year, and the aditional masterpieces of Rublev's Trinity and Christ Pantocrator are accompanied by quotations from our Holy Fathers, along with Father Michael's gentle spiritual guidance on contemplating the heavenly realm through the icons.
Praying With Icons
by Jim Forest
Learn how to pray with Icons, an iconographer's prayer and about icons as an aid to Worship. Not simply illustrations or "art" in the usual sense, icons are aids to prayer and contemplation, windows on the Divine. In this exquisite book, Jim Forest provides a personal and practical guide to how one prays with icons. He includes a series of meditative reflections on some of the most typical icons, like the Annunciation, the Nativity, Christ's Baptism, the Transfiguration, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, representations of the Most Holy Mother of God, the Holy Trinity, and the Saints. Beautifully illustrated both with color plates and black-and-white images.
Sacred Doorways: A Beginner's Guide to Icons
by Linette Martin
A loving introduction to the world of icons which manages to make icons more understandable without denuding their mystery. Easy to read, it offers essential facts about icons and iconography. The chapters include: What are Icons?, Their History, The Icon Makers, Materials and Techniques, Visual Languages, The Festal Cycle of Icons, Special Qualities of Icons, Icons and Prayer, Theology of Icons, etc.
Icons: The Fascination & the Reality
by Konrad Onasch
The best and the most comprehensive book about the art and history of icons. Profusely illustrated, this luxurious, impressive volume provides a chronological survey of the major centers and schools, an exhaustive survey of the pictorial themes found in icon painting, an introduction to painting techniques and the materials used, essays on the pictorial language of icons, and the icon as a work of art. The book is rare, expensive and not readily available, but it is worth every penny and worth waiting for.
Guide to Byzantine Iconography (Volume One)
by Constantine Cavarnos
Traditional Byzantine iconography straight from the source and from the perspective of Eastern Orthodox Church. Detailed explanation of the distinctive characteristics of Byzantine iconography, of the traditional pattern of decorating Eastern Orthodox churches with panel icons, wall paintings and mosaics, and of the chief Doctrinal, Liturgical, and Festal icons. It includes a concise systematic exposition of Saint John Damascene's defense of holy icons.
Guide to Byzantine Iconography (Volume Two)
by Constantine Cavarnos
Second volume of Constantine Cavarnos' invaluable Guide provides detailed, illustrated explanation of ten major icons of the Festal cycle and of the iconography of God (the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit), of the Panagia or Theotokos, of Saint John the Baptist and of the Angels, followed by illuminating remarks of Saint Nectarios of Aegina and Photios Kontoglou on iconographic Types and Archetypes.
Eastern Orthodox Church and Faith
The Orthodox Church
by Timothy Ware (Bishop Kallistos Ware)
The best way to learn more about Eastern Orthodox Church, from one of its renowned Bishops. Bishop Ware's approach covers virtually all aspects of the Eastern Church - history, theology, sacramentality, church organization, and the Orthodox diaspora with a special emphasis on rendering Orthodoxy comprehensible to Western Christian readers.
The Orthodox Way
by Bishop Kallistos Ware
A companion to "The Orthodox Church" this book is a wealth of texts drawn from theologians and spiritual writers of all ages. "The Orthodox Way" is a general account of the doctrine, worship and life of Orthodox Christians, for whom doctrinal issues are not abstract propositions for theological debate but affecting the whole of life.
Not of This World: The Life and Teaching of Fr. Seraphim Rose
by Fr. Damascene
An engaging portrait that follows a spiritual transformation of a Californian intellectual and a Beatnik drawn to Eastern philosophy and Buddhism into an influential Orthodox Father. This is an extremely well written biography that describes Father Seraphim's intellectual and spiritual pilgrimage from agnosticism to Eastern Orthodoxy, culminating in his ordination to the priesthood and founding of St. Herman's Monastery in the mountains of northern California. Dozens of black-and-white photos make the people, places, and events come to life.
Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future
by Fr. Seraphim Rose
A concise and unequivocal Orthodox statement on contemporary trends and various spiritual deceptions wrapped up in the high gloss modern-day "spirituality". Father Seraphim examines the religious phenomena of today as symptoms of a "new religious consciousness" that is preparing the world religion of the future. Phenomena such as Yoga, Zen, Tantra, Transcendental Meditation, Maharaj-ji, Hare Krishna, UFOs, the Charismatic Movement and Jonestown are presented in contrast to the Orthodox Patristic standard of spiritual life.
A Grip on Reality - The World We Live In
The Sword of the Prophet - Islam: History, Theology, Impact on the World
by Dr. Srdja Trifkovic
From the President of the United States down to a local school teacher, people are afraid to tell the whole truth about Islam. A renowned scholar and historian, Dr. Srdja Trifkovic is an exception. With ample footnotes, the exhaustive list of references and sourcing - including an examination of the core documents of Islam itself - Trifkovic dismantles the idea that Islam is a peaceful, tolerant religion, satisfied to maintain a position of conciliatory equality with the rest of the world.
To Kill a Nation: The Attack on Yugoslavia
by Michael Parenti
"To Kill A Nation" is an honest and open look at what many consider to be a big mistake - NATO's war against Yugoslavia. Parenti examines every angle of this unjust, trumped-up war that was dishonestly reported and then forgotten. It is nevertheless important as it set the stage for further international adventures out of the scope of international law, now a US policy staple.
Fools' Crusade: Yugoslavia, Nato, and Western Delusions
by Diana Johnstone
Why was former Yugoslavia ripped apart, and why the butchering of the sovereign country ended up in a series of bloody civil wars, culminating with NATO's 78 day bombardment of Serbia? Diana Johnstone has written one of the best books on the subject, that separates propaganda from the facts, providing a bibliography that could stop a bullet (entire 500 references in a 280 page book speak for itself). An expert on the Balkans, Diana Johnstone builds the case against NATO with undisputable documentation of massive propaganda against Serbs and gives a water-tight evidence that the victims of Yugoslavia's brutal break-up are not the Muslims, Croats or Albanians, but the Serbian nation. A must read for those who prefer the whole truth.
The Yugoslav Auschwitz and the Vatican
by Dr. Vladimir Dedijer
If you have never heard of Jasenovac, the Auschwitz for Serbs, the reason could very well be that Vatican would never allow its gory, monstrous secret to see the light of the day. The book that can also be found on the shelves of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington is among the most difficult to read, as difficult as a detailed book about horrors of Auschwitz. Nevertheless, it is necessary in order to understand history, holocaust and Vatican's undeniable connection to Nazi pogroms. Professor Dedijer's research is impeccable, as are his credentials.
Defeating Jihad: How the War on Terrorism Can Be Won - in Spite of Ourselves
by Dr. Serge Trifkovic
This book, as well as Trifkovic's superb "Sword of the Prophet", explodes the cuddly ecumenical world view still in fashion, that all monotheists are but different shades of the same color. Political Correctness has severely damaged Western ability to honestly address the problems the world faces and that PC mindset is tantamount to Western suicide. For by the failure to honestly identify and describe the enemy West has been completely hamstrung in its ability to defend itself. Addressing economic grievances and implementing "democratic" reforms in the Middle East are but two of the "solutions" that Trifkovic lampoons as rubbish. By practicing the Islamic policy of taqiyya (lying and deceit) mandated by the Koran, Muslims have created the illusion in the gullible West that they are benign and that their religion is peaceful, while the overwhelming evidence shows completely opposite is true.
Media Cleansing: Dirty Reporting, Journalism and Tragedy in Yugoslavia
by Peter Brock
Excerpts from the book review and description: "Reporting 'Serbian genocide' became a highly profitable industry that produced Pulitzer prizes and million-dollar best sellers. Media careers and fortunes were made through a campaign of anti-Serb hate and hysteria allowing no response from the Serbian side."(...) "Peter Brock is the first to undertake a full scale investigation: the repulsive, even odious task of charting transgressions by correspondents covering the three-sided 1992-1995 Bosnian conflict as well as the Slovenia and Croatia wars that preceded it, plus the Kosovo fighting that followed. These include outright fabrications, widespread use of dubious secondhand sources and blatantly one-sided accounts of strife involving at least two and sometimes three sets of combatants. Peter Brock has written a book meticulously correcting such past media lies and exaggerations."
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