The Axe and Man
by Charles Heavrin
A wonderful book
that covers the vast range of axes used throughout time and throughout
the world, starting with the early stone hand-axes of the Paleolithic
period through the flint, copper, and bronze axes of early civilizations,
the early iron axes of the medieval age, and the production of steel
axes made possible by the Industrial Revolution. Included are discussions
of all axe types from celts to hand axes, tomahawks to hatchets, pebble
tools to broad axes, plus a chapter on special axes. The author, one
of the world’s leading experts on the subject, gives detailed descriptions
of the axes, how they were made and the materials used, and the evolution
of their design over time. Accompanying the descriptions are over
100 photographs of the axes, many seen only in museums. The axe was
one of man’s earliest tools, and remained one of his most important
almost until the present day. Yet over the tens of thousands of years
of its use, the changes in its fundamental design have been surprisingly
small. Its methods and materials of fabrication have changed dramatically,
though, reflecting the advances in man’s technological skills.
182 pages.
8-1/2 x 11. Over 100 B&W photos. Hard cover. $25.00. (1998)
ISBN 1879335891
