Green Man: The Archetype of Our Oneness with the Earth by William Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
You’ve probably seen him even if you haven’t noticed. This book explores the historical, artistic, architectural and spiritual history of this pre-Christian image that has stubbornly hung on with something akin to ubiquity. The “foliate head” turns up in even the most religious of settings, from Gothic cathedrals to the title pages of Martin Luther’s writings. The book can veer a little toward the New Agey at times, but that hazard seems inherent in the subject matter. The profuse photography easily makes up for any flaws, and as an investigation into a true ancient mystery, the book fascinates.