Book Review: Classical Labyrinths: Construction Manual

Classical Labyrinths: Construction Manual (2014) - 160 pages. AMZN. by Robert D Ferre (Author)

Classical Labyrinths: Construction Manual (2014)

Classical Labyrinths: Construction Manual

The book is aimed at anyone who is interested in creating their own labyrinth, whether for personal use or as a public art installation. If you are interested in making a Chartres Labyrinth, check out this book by the same author.

What you can expect in this book:

  • The book then provides detailed instructions on how to construct each type of classical labyrinth. The instructions include diagrams, photographs, and step-by-step descriptions. The book also covers a variety of materials that can be used to construct labyrinths, such as stone, wood, sand, and fabric.

  • In addition to the construction instructions, the book also includes a brief history of labyrinths, a discussion of the symbolism of labyrinths, and a list of resources for further information.

What this book does best: Teaches you how to make physical labyrinths !

Book Review: The Book of Labyrinths and Mazes

The Book of Labyrinths and Mazes (2021) - 96 pages. AMZN. by Silke Vry (Author), Finn Dean (Illustrator)

recommended for Grade Levels 2-5, Ages 7-10 years

The Book of Labyrinths and Mazes (2021)

The Book of Labyrinths and Mazes

What you can expect in this book:

  • The book begins by defining the difference between mazes and labyrinths. Mazes are typically made up of a complex network of paths that can lead to dead ends or the center of the maze. Labyrinths, on the other hand, have a single path that leads to the center and back out again.

  • The book then goes on to explore the history of mazes and labyrinths. The earliest known mazes were found in ancient Egypt and Crete. These mazes were often associated with religious rituals and were seen as a way to represent the journey of life.

  • In the Middle Ages, mazes and labyrinths became popular as a form of entertainment. They were often found in gardens and courtyards, and people would enjoy walking through them for fun.

  • The book also discusses the symbolism of mazes and labyrinths. They are often seen as a symbol of the journey of life, with the center representing the goal or destination. They can also be seen as a symbol of the subconscious mind, with the twists and turns representing the different thoughts and emotions that we experience.

  • The book concludes by providing instructions on how to create your own maze or labyrinth. It also includes a number of puzzles and games that you can play with mazes.

What this book does best: Great overview of mazes for young readers that reviews many aspects of mazes and labyrinths.

Maze of the Week #92 - Kresge Auditorium Maze

Maze of the Week #92 takes us to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA which a normal person just calls MIT. This is their Kresge Auditorium building which is used for the performing arts. Designed by famous architect Eero Saarinen the building was completed and opened in 1955. I loved the look of the building and knew it would make a great maze.

YouTube: A 4 minute long documentary about the museum with some nice pictures:

Photo: flickr, Gunnar Klack

The Maze: In color. Relatively easy to solve. I made new trees than those that I have used in the past (more detail /gaps vs. the ‘flat’ trees I have made before). Trying to make the trees look more realistic.

Kresge Auditorium maze

Kresge Auditorium Maze

I hope you enjoy the maze. Maze download is available. Please check out my YouTube channel where you can watch this maze being made and solved!!

Coming next week:

A maze of a city hall ?

Book Review: The Idea of the Labyrinth from Classical Antiquity through the Middle Ages

The Idea of the Labyrinth from Classical Antiquity through the Middle Ages (2019) - 541 pages. AMZN. by Penelope Reed Doob

The Idea of the Labyrinth from Classical Antiquity through the Middle Ages (2019)

The Idea of the Labyrinth from Classical Antiquity through the Middle Ages

This book is a comprehensive study of the labyrinth symbol in Western culture. Doob traces the history of the labyrinth from its origins in the ancient world to its development in the Middle Ages. She discusses the different types of labyrinths, their symbolism, and their use in literature, art, and architecture.

What is covered in this book:

  • The book is divided into three parts. The first part, "The Classical Labyrinth," discusses the labyrinth in ancient Greece and Rome. Doob examines the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, as well as the labyrinths that were depicted on coins, mosaics, and other artifacts. She also discusses the philosophical and religious significance of the labyrinth in ancient thought.

  • The second part, "The Medieval Labyrinth," discusses the labyrinth in the Middle Ages. Doob examines the labyrinths that were depicted in manuscripts, stained glass windows, and other works of art. She also discusses the use of the labyrinth in medieval pilgrimages and religious rituals.

  • The third part, "The Idea of the Labyrinth," explores the symbolism of the labyrinth in Western culture. Doob discusses the labyrinth as a symbol of the journey of life, the search for knowledge, and the soul's journey to the divine. She also discusses the labyrinth as a metaphor for the creative process and the process of self-discovery.

Overall this is a good book that reviews labyrinths in Western culture.