I have pulled together reviews of 7 books that deal with real world labyrinths and mazes. These books focus on labyrinths you can walk through in the real world. Here are my 2 previous compilations of book reviews. This post is most closely an extension of the first post:
The Best Books About Mazes and Labyrinths (that aren't actually maze books)
5 Books About the Spiritual Aspect of Labyrinths
Labyrinths: Ancient Paths of Wisdom and Peace (2001) by Virginia Westbury - 112 pages. AMZN.
This book is a comprehensive guide to the history, symbolism, and uses of labyrinths. It begins by tracing the origins of labyrinths back to the Bronze Age, when simple seven-circuit models were first created. The book then discusses the popularity of labyrinths during Roman times and their peak during the medieval period, when elaborate eleven-circuit models were created. In recent years, there has been a significant revival of interest in labyrinths, and the book explores the reasons for this renewed interest. It looks at the many ways in which labyrinths are being used today, such as tools for meditation, means of connecting with the mysteries of nature, or simply as elegant puzzles. The book concludes with an extensive gazetteer, indicating where the world's finest labyrinths can be found.
Topics covered in this book:
The different types of labyrinths, including the classical labyrinth, the seven-circuit labyrinth, and the Chartres labyrinth.
The symbolism of the labyrinth, including its association with the journey of the soul, the path to enlightenment, and the cycles of life and death.
The history of labyrinths, from their origins in the Bronze Age to their revival in recent years.
The many ways in which labyrinths are being used today, for meditation, spiritual practice, and simply for enjoyment.
A gazetteer of the world's finest labyrinths, with information on their location, history, and design.
What this book does best: Chapter 5 is all about the Chartres Labyrinth.
The Magic Of Labyrinths by Liz Simpson - 192 pages. AMZN.
The full title of the book is The Magic of Labyrinths: Following your Path, Finding Your Center, and really that is what the book is about. It starts with the history of the labyrinth and the various types of patterns you can find and transitions into the spiritual aspect of labyrinths.
What I learned in this book:
I learned about new labyrinths around the world that I had not heard of previously, like the square labyrinth from the Church of Reparatus in Nigeria and the Ely Cathedral in the UK.
I learned some background on the Man in the Maze labyrinth from the Hopi tribe of Arizona and how it is reminiscent of labyrinths in Scandinavia !
The Maekula Islanders in the South Pacific have a myth that in order to cross over to the Land of the Dead the soul must complete a labyrinth.
I never knew that churches in England were built on “ley lines'‘ as a way to convert non-Catholics by taking over their physical places of worship.
There is a section discussing the Hindu concept of Kundalini energy and it’s relation to the journey through the labyrinth.
Chapter 5 goes into the construction of physical labyrinths and how to creatively measure them out, the use of dowsers, and the choosing of an appropriate location. If you want to draw a labyrinth on paper, I’ve got you covered.
What this book does best: Speaking to how to create a labyrinth in your lawn, church, etc. Options and things to think about before actually doing it. I also think the book does a good job exploring the fringes of the history of labyrinths and some unique shapes.
Secrets of the Maze: An Interactive Guide to the World's Most Amazing Mazes (2006) by Adrian Fisher and Howard Loxton -96 pages. AMZN
If you are not familiar with Adrian Fisher, he is a prolific maze designer, having designed over 700 mazes, and he even has his own Wikipedia page where you can learn about his work. If you ever need some maze themed architecture I suggest you check out his design business. Today I look at a book from Mr. Fisher and Howard Loxton.
The book begins with an introduction to mazes, including a discussion of their history, purpose, and design. The book then explores how mazes have been used throughout history for both practical and recreational purposes. The third chapter discusses the design and construction of mazes, including the different types of mazes, the materials used to build them, and the challenges involved in creating a successful maze.
The book then explores a selection of some of the most amazing mazes from around the world, including the Hampton Court Maze in England, the Longleat Hedge Maze in England, and the Dole Plantation Maze in Hawaii, which includes a brief description of each maze, its location, and its dimensions.
In the book you can also find tips on how to solve a maze, including different strategies that can be used to find your way out as well as step-by-step guide on how to design and build your own maze, including tips on choosing a location, selecting materials, and creating a challenging path.
Overall, this is a nice short book on mazes that covers all the key topics. It has great illustrations and is worth a read.
Red Thread: On Mazes and Labyrinths (2020) by Charlotte Higgins - 272 pages. AMZN
This book explores of the history, symbolism, and uses of labyrinths. It begins with a discussion of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, then goes on to discuss the different types of labyrinths, their history, and their symbolism.
Topics covered in this book:
The different types of labyrinths, including the classical labyrinth, the seven-circuit labyrinth, and the Chartres labyrinth.
The symbolism of the labyrinth, including its association with the journey of the soul, the path to enlightenment, and the cycles of life and death.
The history of labyrinths, from their origins in the Bronze Age to their revival in recent years.
The many ways in which labyrinths are being used today, for meditation, spiritual practice, and simply for enjoyment.
The personal journey of the author, as she explores the labyrinths of her own life.
What this book does best: The author explores the labyrinth as a metaphor for the journey of life, with its twists and turns, its dead ends and its moments of clarity. She also discusses the labyrinth as a tool for meditation and self-discovery. The book is full of fascinating insights into the labyrinth, and it is sure to appeal to anyone who is interested in this fascinating symbol.
The Idea of the Labyrinth from Classical Antiquity through the Middle Ages (2019) by Penelope Reed Doob - 541 pages. AMZN.
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.
The Curious History of Mazes by Julie E Bounford - 192 pages, AMZN
Before I delve into my review of the book I want to mention that the Amazon page for this book is excellent if you click on the link above. Specifically, the “From the Publishers” section - each chapter has an illustration and a quick summary.
The book is a great mix of the history, uses, and symbolism of mazes and labyrinths around the world. The illustrations and examples are excellent and I really enjoyed the breaks to solve unique mazes along the way.
What I learned in this book (at least some of it):
“In some Meso-American cultures, it was believed that the wicked could be “mazed” in the underworld, so their souls would not return” ; Which to me seems like a nice pitch to a new horror movie
I have never seen a Sidereal maze before, based on the constellations. Very interesting and fun to solve (page 45 in kindle version). Or the Switch Maze (Page 105).
I learned about the city of Saffron Walden in England, a city with a hedge maze and the largest turf maze in Europe at 132 feet from corner to corner. Seems like a nice place for a maze museum ?
That Francesco Segala, an Italian architect from Padua in the 15th century may have created the first picture mazes ever (with illustrations in the book !)
The first 3 dimensional maze was built in the 1830’s by Stuart Landsborough using wooden board to create a second story on a maze.
The strategy game Nine Men’s Morris that was popular to be played at turf mazes.
There are 270 labyrinths on the London Underground, created by English artist Mark Wallinger in 2013 to mark the Underground’s 150th Anniversary. You can see some of them here.
Cloud cities by Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno, which you should just see to understand.
There is a nice illustration comparing the classical and medieval labyrinth designs (figure 2 page 46) that I found interesting.
What this book does best: The mix of mazes with history and examples makes for a fun reading experience. The mazes are a break from reading - unless you get to a hard one - then the reading is the break!
The Maze: A Labyrinthine Compendium (2018) by Thibaud Herem (Illustrator), Kendra Wilson (Author), Angus Hyland (Author) - 144 pages. AMZN.
The book features 60 real and imagined mazes from around the world, each illustrated by Thibaud Hérem. The mazes are accompanied by short histories and descriptions, which explore the cultural significance of each maze.
What you can expect in this book:
The book features 60 mazes, which are arranged by region. Each maze is illustrated by Thibaud Hérem and accompanied by a short history and description. The histories provide information about the origins of the maze, its cultural significance, and its design. The descriptions offer tips on how to solve the maze and explore its symbolism.
It also looks at mazes from a variety of angles - including these: Symbolism, Religion and Myth, Art and Literature, Architecture, and Pop Culture.
What this book does best: The illustrations are outstanding and the overall design of the book is really appealing.
To find a labyrinth in the United States:
I completed a year long project where I researched the best labyrinths from each state in the United States and wrote a blog post about them. You can find that archive, and much more labyrinth walking content in the US Labyrinths visit section of the website.
