Bibliography

LABYRINTH BIBLIOGRAPHY

The 98 books listed in this bibliography are taken from my personal library. If you know of other books on labyrinths, please send me the relevant information (email Robert). Thanks. My brief descriptions are purely subjective. Each category represents a link to a separate page. In parentheses are the number of books in each category. This list is for information only. Except for the books published by Labyrinth Enterprises, we do not sell labyrinth books.

REFERENCE (11)
POPULAR (8)
SPIRITUAL (13)
LABYRINTH ENTERPRISES (6)
SCHOLARLY (5)
SMALL BOOKS (12)
SELF-PUBLISHED (6)
TRANSLATIONS (4)
GERMAN (6)
FRENCH (8)
MISC. (5)
JOURNALS (1)
FUTURE (5)
VIDEOS (8)

REFERENCE BOOKS

Through the Labyrinth: Designs and Meaning Over 5,000 Years, by Herman Kern
First published in German in 1982, this was the world's greatest compendium on labyrinths for decades. In 2002 it was published in English and remains the leading reference for scholars. Kern is quite opinionated, but well worth reading.

Magical Paths: Labyrinths and Mazes in the 21st Century, by Jeff Saward
Labyrinths and Mazes: A Complete Guide to Magical Paths of the World, by Jeff Saward
Jeff Saward has now assumed the role of the world's greatest expert on labyrinths. These two books comprise a modern full-color compendium on labyrinths. Website: www.labyrinthos.net

Labyrinths: Ancient Myths and Modern Uses, by Sig Lonegren (Revised Edition)
This was the first book by an American author at the beginning of the current labyrinth revival. The author investigates how labyrinths connect us to the earth and each other. He goes back to pre-patriarchal times, which he calls Herstory (rather than History). What he discusses about the classical labyrinth and the planet Mercury may be the most important discovery in any book on labyrinths, ever. Website: www.geomancy.org

Labyrinths: Ancient Paths of Wisdom and Peace, by Virginia Westbury
Written by an Australian journalist, this book has many astute observations with regard to the labyrinth, including the author's take on Theseus and the Minotaur. When this book came out, I called it a "mini-Kern." Originally it was available only in Discovery Stores, but may now be more widely disseminated.

The Spirituality of Mazes and Labyrinths, by Gailand MacQueen
I can't remember when I have enjoyed a book on labyrinths as much as this one, especially the author's discussion of mazes within their cultural and spiritual context. This book is well-informed and personal..The author has no website, but can be contacted by email: g.macqueen@sympatico.ca

Labyrinths and Mazes, by Jugen Hohmuth
Prestel is the publisher of the great Kern book (see above). Originally they were going to have me write the ultimate labyrinth instruction book as a companion volume. Instead, they opted for this book. I don't know how much it adds to our understanding of labyrinths, but the photography is quite stunning. The photographer used a camera on a small inflatable dirigible on the end of a tether for close-up ariel shots, with striking results. Nevertheless, I still think my book . . .

Mind-Boggling Mazes and Loopy Labyrinths, by Klaus Eid
This book is also published by Prestel, in English. It is a child's interactive art book on the subject of labyrinths. Prestel is located in Munich, Germany. They specialize in books on art and architecture, which they keep in print a long time and distribute throughout the world. Their website is an interesting read: www.prestel.com

Mazes and Labyrinths, by Nigel Pennick
Pennick was one of the first observers and commentators on the labyrinth movement in ways which are still relevant. The author has been closely identified with dowsing and geomancy and other subjects peripheral to labyrinths. Thus, he comes to the subject with more depth than do some of those involved only with labyrinths.

Mazes and Labyrinths: Their History and Development, by W. H. Matthews
Written in the first third of the 20th century, this was the book most quoted in the English world until Hermann Kern's book was translated. Modern scholarship has surpassed Matthews, but this is still a classic.

Mazes and Labyrinths of the World, by Janet Bord
In this book, Bord took up where Matthews left off. Matthews and Bord were among the first authors to document labyrnths. They have not aged as gracefully as, say, Sig Lonegren's book, which was recently released in a new edition.

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