The History of Color by Neil Parkinson is an informative and comprehensive exploration of the science of how we understand colours.

With thanks to the author Neil Parkinson and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review the History of color.

The history of Color is not just a book about color, but it's also a book about how humans interact with color and how it interacts with us. An good informative book that isn't dumbed down, but doesn't go over your head either. A good book to dip in and out.

The only bad thing is that the book didn't really work out that well on my tablet, would have been lovely to have a physical copy of it.

Title of this book truly delivers on just that. Lots of color history, psychology and meaning expressed through printed documentation, history art pieces, and color theory charts. Thoroughly researched, the author looks at how color is related to less expected areas like music, religion, commerce, food, nature, language, science & health. Delightful, fascinating and a rare treat from other typical books exploring the same subject but in a totally different way. Beautifully designed as well and recommended.

A wonderful book. Highly recommended. You will enjoy reading it. Written in a very engaging prose. Nowhere would you feel being stuck or bored. Pick it up if you get a chance. Thanks to the author for a review copy.

Academic enough to make you smarter when you finish but not unapproachable - there are no barriers to entry here, which is a wonderful thing. This is a book to savor.

If you’d asked me to guess how many color experts/scholars there had been in history I might have guessed – 10? NO – there have been hundreds of people who devoted huge chunks of their lives to color: Categorizing it; explaining it; naming variations, tints and shades. Why was it such a big deal? Well, there was a science motivation (describing the colors of birds, flowers, butterflies, rocks), but it was mainly to help artists and industries that produced colored products. I guess it used to be a big problem, before our high-quality printing and computers, if someone ordered Prussian Blue paper and what arrived wasn’t the Prussian Blue they had in mind. This was an issue I’d never considered or thought much about and, thus, I really liked this book. I love reading about a whole new world of ideas.
The author has summarized the work from the “nearly 2,000 titles” in the “Colour Reference Library” of the “Royal College of Art in London”. There are many illustrations from the books included. I don’t know that this would be a fun book for everyone, but if you like to learn new things and think about things in a new way, I’d definitely recommend this one.

This book offers a look into the history of colour and how humans have interacted with it. It examines several attempts to identify colours, find strategies to arrange them, and determine how they interact and harmonize with one another.
I got quite interested in learninging more about colours after reading this book. It was educational and easy to read. The topic is quite broad but nevertheless it was covered realy well.

"The History of Colour: A Universe of Chromatic Phenomena" by Neil Parkinson represents a comprehensive exploration of the world of color, traversing centuries from the musings of ancient philosophers to the present day. With a meticulous approach and a clear passion for the subject, Parkinson delves into humanity's enduring fascination with color and its profound impact on various aspects of our lives.

From the enchanting allure of rainbows that puzzled Aristotle to the groundbreaking experiments of Isaac Newton that revealed the magical transformation of white light into a spectrum of hues, Parkinson delves into the scientific and philosophical exploration of color that has intrigued minds for centuries. He eloquently weaves together historical narratives with religious symbolism, showcasing how color has been used as a metaphor for faith and redemption.

This book begins by tracing the lineage of color theories, highlighting how Aristotle's foundational principles were later adopted and expanded upon by Avicenna, marking a significant turning point in the understanding of colors. The narrative even touches upon the concept of time travel, bridging the gap between eras and allowing readers to observe how ideas have evolved over time.



One of the book's strengths lies in its exploration of the Islamic Golden Age, a period during which scholars made significant contributions to the study of colors. Parkinson delves into the thoughts and perceptions of ancient scientists and philosophers, shedding light on how they conceptualized and interpreted colors in their respective contexts. The book's well-researched nature is evident as it meticulously uncovers insights from ancient texts, particularly those from the Islamic era, which were translated into Latin during the Middle Ages alongside ancient Greek works.

A pivotal theme that runs throughout the book is the survival and transmission of ancient Greek principles during the Middle Ages. Parkinson adeptly navigates through the annals of history, shedding light on the books that were in circulation during this era and how they influenced the understanding of color. This theme intertwines with the broader narrative of the history of light and color, encompassing pivotal epochs such as the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment.



Yet, "The History of Colour" is not merely a scientific odyssey—it is a voyage through the corridors of faith and symbolism, where color takes on the robes of sacred meaning. Parkinson deftly navigates us through the pages of a late 19th-century pamphlet, where the fervent words of Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon cast color as a sacred metaphor, weaving threads of redemption from the "blackness of sin" to the "redemptive red blood of Christ." The hues of divinity themselves seem to flow through the ink of his words.

The Enlightenment era, like a master artist mixing colors on a palette, introduced a new harmony to our understanding. Parkinson's prose delicately chronicles the birth of the color wheel, each hue positioned with meticulous care, a symphony of shades arranged for humanity's discerning gaze. The laboratories of chemists come alive in his words, where vibrant hues are coaxed and synthesized, creating a chromatic symphony that resonates with the soul's longing for the sublime.

What sets this work apart is the erudition of the writer, evident in the meticulously researched and elaborated content. Parkinson's exploration of the evolution of color theories and the interplay between various cultures and periods demonstrates a deep understanding of the subject matter. The author’s passion for color is evident in his richly detailed exploration of the subject. He celebrates the diverse spectrum of human efforts to quantify, comprehend, and creatively utilize color, choosing to revel in its enchanting resonance throughout history rather than attempting to impose a rigid categorization. The book is a testament to his profound enthusiasm and expertise, making it a captivating read for art enthusiasts and curious minds alike. The emphasis on historical texts and the assimilation of diverse sources underscore the comprehensive nature of the book's research.

The author's credentials shine through as he draws from his role as Archives and Collections Manager at the Royal College of Art, London. His deep involvement in the Colour Reference Library lends authenticity and depth to the book's illustrations, which span centuries of artistic works and offer a visual journey through the evolution of color theory.

"The History of Colour" serves as a valuable resource for those intrigued by the interwoven tapestry of color, culture, and knowledge. "The History of Colour" masterfully uncovers the intricate layers of meaning and complexity that color adds to our everyday experiences. As readers immerse themselves in its pages, they are invited to see the world through a new lens, one that embraces the profound interplay between color and human perception. They will certainly gain an appreciation for the complexities of color perception and its profound significance throughout the ages.Whether you're an art lover, a history enthusiast, or simply someone curious about the kaleidoscope of color that shapes our lives, this book promises an enchanting and enlightening adventure through the vibrant spectrum of human exploration and discovery.

What a wonderful book! I'll start by saying I don't think an eARC does it justice. This is definitely going to be best read and appreciated in a physical format. For me this is also a book you pick up and read the relevant sections, as opposed to reading from cover to cover.

I'm already interested in the topic of colour, so have read quite a bit on colour theory and think 'The History of Color' is one of the more interesting / deeper dives on the subject, whilst still being accessible to readers new to the topic. I'll be recommending and buying a print copy myself when it's in print. Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

The History of Color is a beautiful book that covers the relics which form the understanding and perception of color at the Royal College of Art in London. It is quite informative on the materials and resources housed in the collection, and provides a good primer for early color theory through the Scientific Revolution into the Industrial Era.

While this was an interesting read, it was not my favorite read about color theory. It is heavily focused on printed pigments and natural color. This is not a book to read if you are looking for information on color theory as it relates to our digital age. Very little is explored in this area, which is quickly becoming the most dominant area of our modern lives. It would have been interesting to see the art/design focus of digitized media be explored-even as a tangent.

Unfortunately, because it claims to be a complete history of color to the present the failure to address screens makes this book less a history of color, and more a history of the Royal College of Art's color archives.

I would that this book is a good book for the art collectors, those who love color and would really be interested in the complex history of color printing and pigment transformation that happened between 1700-1900. For that time period it is an important book. Otherwise if you are more interested in modern color theory or applications and transformations to color post 1900 you will need to look elsewhere.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC of this book.

This fascinating book looks at the history of our relationship to color, from early attempts to understand what color is (remembering, as the author points out, color does not actually exist, it’s a function of the brain) to various attempts to organize and categorize colors, to the uses of color in science, religion, nature, medicine, and even consumerism. A highlight of the book is the inclusion of dozens of illustrations from the Royal College of Art’s Colour Reference Library, which are beautiful works of art in and of themselves.

I have researched and taught about the intersection of art, music, mathematics, science and physics, and so my biggest thrill reading this book was learning about the countless attempts by scientists, artists, physicists and others to explore the relationships between color and other fields. Truly, everything is connected.

Readers should know that this book reads like a textbook or reference volume, and I wish the book had contained references and notes (other than illustration captions) to make it more appropriate for use by students and researchers. Still, I plan to purchase a hard copy so I can refer more thoroughly to the material.

Many thanks to Quarto Group and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved reading this book. I was completely drawn into the topic and could not stop reading it.

An intriguing, in-depth look into the history of the development of colour systems and theory. Crammed to overflowing with historical figures--known, and less known modern to ancient--who pioneered and advanced the science and marketing of colour in today's world, it showcases the many systems and rivalries that existed in the field.
It was a bit of a dry read, but very informative for those who love to dive into the details of a particular subject.

A fully immersive history of colour, and covers everything from how light links to it, observations in nature from wildlife to food, to it's more modern commercialised usage in things such as fashion and printing and the subsequent development of synthetic hues to cover all the hues seen in nature that one can not easily replicate without to more unusual links like music. A worthy read especially as a dip in/ dip out book, if you are a researcher in the arts/ student of or simply intrigued by how the colour we see today came to be.

This is a gorgeous reference title. I will not be reading it from cover to cover, but as a previous art student I appreciated the content I did peruse.

This book is a history of color and how humanity interacts with it. It goes over many attempts to define colors, devise ways to organize them, and to see how they can best interact and harmonize with each other. It also goes over the history of some colors and how they were discovered and used (including the history of natural and synthetic dyes).

This book was absolutely fascinating. I loved reading the history of the different color systems included in this. I had no idea that the history of colors and how they have been categorized and used was so complex. This book really takes a deep dive into color history and I loved reading about all of it. The book bounces back and forth between the history and how color is used in various things like food and medicine and fashion. There was so much in here that I had no idea about before. There were many illustrations throughout the book to help show the different theories that were talked about and it really helped with understanding each color theory that was talked about.

Overall this book was just amazing. I highly recommend it for fans of non fiction, especially anyone artistically minded.

Informative book on colour, science, and humans, relating it to relevant artwork and providing sufficient analysis. The format was very hard to read on a phone, but I’m sure it would be much better with a physical copy.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of The History of Color by Neil Parkinson.

This is such a fantastic book with great information. Definitely recommend.