Iconography: An Irreverent Introduction
A sweeping accessible historical survey of artistic iconography…The flawlessly clear writing is often charmingly lighthearted though just as consistently characterized by scholarly scrupulousness. The scope is dazzlingly broad…abounds with hundreds of gorgeous photographs of art, meticulously parsed into their symbolic components and then carefully decoded … It’s difficult to imagine what the authors could have done to improve this marvelous guide.
- Kirkus Reviews
Zeus in Art: A Survey of a Serial Seducer
Zeus is linked to dozens, if not hundreds, of rapes—the authors attempt to inject a spirit of levity into the book, sometimes exploring the gossipy salaciousness of Zeus’ transgressions. A historically perceptive and cheeky tour of a licentious mythological figure.
- Kirkus Reviews
Tincture of Time: A Concise History of Medicine
​Indeed, a concise history, worth reading for the thoroughness of its coverage… gives special attention to women in the history of medicine… it can be enjoyed by any reader interested in medicine and history… beautifully written.
- Amazon Reviews
Books
Iconography: An Irreverent Introduction
An absorbing and captivating aspect of art history is the way artists imbued their works with symbols, essential elements in the oeuvre which when understood enhance the pleasure and enjoyment of the art. Symbols, colors, mythology and composition are discussed and dissected. This book which garnered a Kirkus star will turn a museum visit into a world of discoveries.
“A sweeping accessible historical survey of artistic iconography…The flawlessly clear writing is often charmingly lighthearted though just as consistently characterized by scholarly scrupulousness. The scope is dazzlingly broad…abounds with hundreds of gorgeous photographs of art, meticulously parsed into their symbolic components and then carefully decoded … It’s difficult to imagine what the authors could have done to improve this marvelous guide.”
- Kirkus Review
Tincture of Time: A Concise History of Medicine
Examines the major and seismic forces that shaped the evolution of Western medicine, progressing chronologically from ancient, near ancient, classical, medieval, Renaissance, Enlightenment and modern times, along with the influences from the Eastern and Persian medicine that melded into 20th century medicine – written with little “medicalese.”
“Indeed, a concise history, worth reading for the thoroughness of its coverage… gives special attention to women in the history of medicine… it can be enjoyed by any reader interested in medicine and history… beautifully written.”
- Amazon Review
Nurturing Children: A History of Pediatrics
A History of Children examines the historiography on the treatment of children across five millennia, from prehistory to the present comparing cultural codes and societal laws. It documents the immutable nature of childhood despite epochal and societal differences in birth rituals, pedagogy, puberty rites, inheritance laws, child labor, pedophilia, cultural customs, pediatric care and historical events that have affected the lives of children.
"…these two astute writers examine the quality of children’s lives over the centuries, giving us much to think about concerning human behavior towards offspring…they explore the cultural milieu of the young in ancient and modern societies, fashioned by economic circumstances, mystic obsessions, religious fervor, superstitious fears, forced migrations, or the vicissitudes of hunger, disease, aggression and war…providing us with this exception historical perspective on children…the authors have written elegantly and extensively on a subject that is truly mind broadening…"
- Philip R. Harris, PhD.
​Iconography of the Eastern World: Ancient and Contemporary
Iconography of The Eastern World: Ancient and Contemporary is the third in a series devoted to examining the symbols and conceits that appear in art. This volume travels to the other side of the world and considers the art and iconography of Egypt, China, Japan, India, Persia and Israel in the contrast, context and comparisons with Western Iconography.
"...pithy quote."
- This book has not yet been reviewd
Zeus in Art: A Survey of a Serial Seducer
The 2nd volume in the Iconography series Zeus in Art examines the rich symbols associated with the mythology of Zeus as seen in paintings, sculptures and frescoes, all of which are illustrated in color with carefully dissected images of painting by the likes of Rubens, Titian and Rembrandt and many other masters. The cast of his amorous victims, both divine and mortal are catalogued according to their sources, among them Ovid, Homer and Hesiod.
“…—Zeus is linked to dozens, if not hundreds, of rapes—the authors attempt to inject a spirit of levity into the book, sometimes exploring the gossipy salaciousness of Zeus’ transgressions. A historically perceptive and cheeky tour of a licentious mythological figure.”
- Kirkus Review
​The Oblate
Inspired by true events, this epic story unfolds in 15th century Brittany. Monastery walls are no safeguard for a boy oblate in a world beset by superstition, famine, plague, marauding invaders, a pedophile priest and a serial kidnapper. Events test a terrified society, the monastic community, and the oblate’s mettle, especially after he identifies Europe’s most notorious child murderer.
"…the author’s writing style is…rich, mellifluous, beautiful, precise… creating the spell of another time and place…. The characters are wonderful…. While the unbearably suspenseful plot encompasses violence, depravity, sadness, despair, and hopelessness, the true “hero” of the story is goodness…. The Oblate resonates with modern-day problems of divisiveness, hate, hypocrisy, and corruption. This is one of those books where I felt caught between wanting to stay up into the wee hours to see how everything turns out—and not wanting the book to ever end."
- J. Packer, PhD, Author
Nurturing Children: A History of Pediatrics
The medical care of children and the evolution of pediatrics from the beginning of recorded civilization across the five millennia of historiography is examined. It recounts the societal battles and disagreements about the worth of caring for the premature and the health of babies, right up to the 20th century and the struggle to provide healthy milk for children.
“A profound respect for history and an uncanny ability to elucidate the relevance of the past to the present…it is by far the most complete history of pediatrics and by fare the most entertaining.” Claude C. Roy, Hospital Stainte-Justine
“Apart from being most readable, and valuable for reference, this work should be useful for teaching purposes since it illustrates and locates such a variety of source materials...The Colóns are to be congratulated for tackling a diffuse topic and thus making a general history of pediatrics once again available."
- Elizabeth Lomax, Bulletin of the History of Medicine 2001; Vol. 75; 174-175.
About the authors
Angel Rafael Colón is professor emeritus at Georgetown University and adjunct professor at Rutgers and holds graduate degrees in science, medicine and humanities/art history. Over 45 years he delivered humanities and science lectures at universities internationally on six continents and for the past fifteen years, he has provided enrichment talks aboard Celebrity, Princess, NCL, RCCL, and HAL Grand Voyages. He has over 178 publications and in addition 12 books on history, science and art.
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Patricia Ann Colón is a free-lance writer with a graduate degree in English literature, who recently published a well-received historical novel The Oblate. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors of several health foundations and schools and on health-related university committees. Additionally, she has published articles on health and children in our society. Having visited virtually every major and regional art museum worldwide to study their collections, she is well
poised to discuss iconography.
