Buy used:
$23.55
$3.99 delivery May 23 - 30. Details
Or fastest delivery May 17 - 22. Details
Used: Acceptable | Details
Sold by lookeytoo
Condition: Used: Acceptable
Comment: Although there may be creases, marks, and/or a variety of stickers, the covers are intact. Although there may be numerous folds or creases and a lot of notes and highlighting on the pages, the text is still legible.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Carola Hicks
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Bayeux Tapestry: The Life Story of a Masterpiece by Hicks, Carola (2007) Paperback Paperback – January 1, 2007

by Carola Hicks (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 80 ratings
See all formats and editions
The story of the Bayeux Tapestry — from its origins and creation to its long and dramatic afterlife.The vivid scenes on the Bayeux Tapestry depict the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, when William the Conqueror seized the English throne. One of Europe’s greatest treasures, the tapestry tells a magnificent tale — but as Carola Hicks shows, its own story is just as dramatic.From the start there are mysteries and controversies. Who commissioned the tapestry? Was it Bishop Odo, William’s ruthless half-brother? Or was it King Harold’s sister, Edith, widow of Edward the Confessor? Hicks makes a strong case for Edith, showing us her world and the miracle of the tapestry’s making — talented women plying their needles, the stitches and dyes, the strange details in the margins. The tapestry lay in Bayeux Cathedral, dusty and ignored until its “discovery” in the eighteenth century. During the French Revolution, the townsfolk narrowly saved it from destruction, while Napoleon displayed it in Paris to boost his planned conquest. In the nineteenth-century, to the horror of male historians, women claimed it as “female” history. In the twentieth century, it was swept up in the struggle with the Nazis and since then, its iconic images have inspired films, novels and commercial advertising. This marvelous book, packed with thrilling stories, shows how we remake history in every age, and how a great work of art has a life of its own.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Language
    English
  2. Publisher
    Vintage
  3. Publication date
    January 1, 2007
  4. See all details
Next page
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01070TJFY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage; New Ed edition (January 1, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 80 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Carola Hicks

Carola Hicks

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
80 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

l. cavin
5.0 out of 5 stars Good service. Product as expected
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2023
Verified Purchase
First three chapters are The Plot, The Patron, and The Project. Interesting question---who was the patron?
Helpful
 Report
K. Wahl
4.0 out of 5 stars The Bayeux Tapestry
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is a lively and fun history of the "tapestry" (not really a true tapestry, actually it is embroidered)with lots of fun anecdotes. I learned quite a bit of information that made helped make historical facts more personal and interesting. Who knew that a tapestry from the 1100's would be coveted by so many different groups and claimed as their own even when, in reality, they had nothing to do with it!!? It has been used as a document of history and for political propaganda. It has been praised as a great work of art and, at times, denigrated because it was made by women.

I recommend it for anyone interested in history in general or how textile arts have helped influence the world.
12 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Steven C. Lund
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
Avery comprehensive book on the subject.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jan B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fleshing out the Mysterious Bayeux
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2012
Verified Purchase
For anyone interested in needlework, history or art, this book is captivating. Part of the lasting charm of the Bayeux Tapestry is the mystery concerning its creation and the fact that the embroidery relates the story of the birth of a different England following Edward's conquest. This book adds so much to the legend of one of the greatest treasures of its kind existing today. It is a must for anyone interested in the Bayeux or the era.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
aerobics mama
3.0 out of 5 stars Too much information!
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
Although it is filled with many interesting facts and stories, it is WAY TOO detailed. I bought copies for a group of travelers who are soon off to Normandy, but nobody is actually reading their copy of the book straight through. Fortunately, the table of contents and index allow one to look for specific topics of interest, but, even then, there are too many superfluous details to sort through.
Helpful
 Report
benark
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
The tapestry has a very interesting history. I dropped a star as sometimes the book is a bit dry. I did enjoy it. Kindle version includes at least some of the photos.
Helpful
 Report
Stephen C. Carpenter
5.0 out of 5 stars The Bayeux Tapestry
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2018
Verified Purchase
A very thorough and complete history of. 'The Bayeux Tapestry', which you will learn is not a tapestry but more a needlepoint! I have visited the museum housing this marvel four times, and I have learned more from this book than any tour or publication the museum offers!!!
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Harry Salamon
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, interesting like a mystery book
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2015
Verified Purchase
One of many books about this extremely important document of european history. Not knowing others, it is difficult for me to establish a paragon. But very interesting, very well written, good idea of describing the recent history. The binding is one of the worst I have seen in my life.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Kirsten
5.0 out of 5 stars hilfreich
Reviewed in Germany on February 11, 2014
Verified Purchase
Bietet umfangreiche Informationen in der Bearbeitung des Themas. V.a. der Aktualitätsbezug ist in dieser Sekundärliteratur zum "Teppich von Bayeux" sehr hilfreich für mich gewesen
Report
tobykin
4.0 out of 5 stars Bayeux Tapestry.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
I am still reading this book, it's full of facts about the making of the famous Bayeux Tapestry. There are many things that I didn't know before, so it's definitely a good read.
Report
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, absorbing!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
Fascinating and informative - I really enjoyed this highly readable but erudite work that covers not just the historical facts of the Bayeux tapestry and how it came about, but goes into absorbing detail about the manner of its construction and about art and craft of that era.
2 people found this helpful
 Report
Carol Lorraine humpherson
4.0 out of 5 stars Brought as a present. Xx
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
Brought as a present, John's going to France 2022 , to see the tapestry. X
Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent research on a fascinating subject especially if you have ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
Excellent research on a fascinating subject especially if you have visited Bayeux where the Title is displayed for sale in the bookshop there
Report