The Visconti-Sforza Tarot Cards

I am mildly disappointed by this volume. Granted, it has excellent representations (and perhaps the only ones) of the Visconti-Sforza deck, but Michael knew so much more that he could have shared, and did in his magnum opus on the tarot. Still, it was little more than a quickly penned foreword and a collection of images with brief commentary. Don't pay more than eight bucks for this book--it is just not worth it. That said, it makes a nice (inexpensive) addition to a serious collection. Try these to see Dummett's genius shine: The Game of Tarot: From Ferrara to Salt Lake City  Amazingly there is "one" copy available for $150. Normally $250-$300 is standard fare, even with a lot of searching.Slightly cheaper, and much smaller (the book above is a brick--my copy weighs over 8 pounds!) is  History of the Occult Tarot . I am reading that now and it is a LOT to chew on. So much subtlety in between the facst that it can easily consume several months of your time contemplating. And I think around $80?Also, you might like the early history of the tarot (as a game) here:  A Wicked Pack of Cards: The Origins of the Occult Tarot , which has some critics foaming at the mouth, as they love their tarot conspiracies.Here is a relatively decent list of his contributions in literary form. Sadly, he passed last December, before I could meet him in person.The Game of Tarot: from Ferrara to Salt Lake City (Duckworth, 1980);Twelve Tarot Games (Duckworth, 1980);The Visconti-Sforza Tarot Cards (G. Braziller, 1986);Il mondo e l'angelo: i tarocchi e la loro storia (Bibliopolis, 1993)I tarocchi siciliani (La Zisa, 1995);A Wicked Pack of Cards: The Origins of the Occult Tarot (with Ronald Decker and Thierry Depaulis, St. Martin's Press, 1996);A History of the Occult Tarot, 1870-1970 (with Ronald Decker, Duckworth, 2002);A History of Games Played with the Tarot Pack (with John McLeod, E. Mellen Press, 2004

This book is beautifully constructed, giving a background on the design of the VS deck and historical background of each card. It does not, however give meanings or interpretations of the cards. if you are a beginner and looking for interpretations, you are better off purchasing a VS deck and using the enclosed material that comes with most of the decks. This book is more for those looking for the historical background and design aspects of the cards.

perfect wish i had more time to describe it but just get this book if your are truly interested in the Tarot!

Great book. Packaging and product were excellent.

Strangely, every time I look through this book I very soon after have a deeply life-changing experience, like seeing a real two-headed snake in the park.The book is also very fine! The cards are beautifully reproduced and the text is interesting.

I wanted the cards, not a book. I was really disappointed with this as it was listed as 'Tarot cards'. I had already opened the package so was unable to return it