The other day, I was passing a bookstore and noticed a huge book on Gothic architecture, sculpture and painting (g) for only €10. Next to it was a similar book on Rome, and then one on Egypt. All were published by the h.f. ullmann (g) publishing house, and all cost only €10. I leafed through the Rome book: plenty of full-color illustrations, diagrams, and charts, plus text. 'Hmm', I thought, 'looks pretty solid. And even if I don't like it, it's only €10'. So I bought it, and spent a few hours dipping into it.
The next day, I returned and bought all the other €10 Ullman books I could lay my hands on. They're beautifully put together and laid out, with at least 2-3 illustrations on each page. But what's especially compelling for a Bildungsbürger like me is the text: richly detailed essays on every major aspect of the book's subject, reflecting the latest research. If you sit down and read one, you will be rewarded with a well-judged, thoughtful, comprehensive take on, say, tapestries or Roman canal building, replete with quotations from contemporary artists, authors and thinkers. German thoroughness and historical sophistication at its most inspiring!
Considering the thousands of hours of labor that went into these minor masterpieces of the bookmaker's art, I have no idea why they're being practically given away for only €10. But as long as that's the case, I can strongly recommend you snap them up.
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