The Pictorial Key to The Tarot

By: Arthur Edward Waite

Narrated by: Alec Sand

Arthur Edward Waite was a profound student of the occult. He was a member of the Order of The Golden Dawn, and made the Tarot accessible to the modern day reader. This classic text for the Rider- Waite deck discusses:-The major and minor arcana.-What each card means.-Reversed card meanings.-How to do a basic reading. The Pictorial Key to The Tarot is ideal for use with the Rider- Waite Deck and the Universal Waite Tarot Deck.©2010 Arthur Edward Waite (P)2008 Trout Lake Media

I couldn't get passed the reading

I was unable to even really start the book due to the narrators reading style. wish I could get money back and get a different narrator.

Very disappointing but I suppose to be expected

I should have known when I read the other reviews. I was expecting much more. To be honest, I haven't finished it because it was easier to put it down and start something else.

Pictorial Education

This book is very detailed. If you are not a detailed person, do not get this book. I enjoyed how Arthur Waite goes through the history of the tarot cards and including its myths and legends as well.

It is amazing the how the tarot card's pictures developed over the years. If you are wanting a better understanding of the tarot card's and the meaning of each this is a great book.
Alec Sand did an excellent job with narration.

Disappointing treatment of a Classic

What did you like best about The Pictorial Key to The Tarot? What did you like least?

Alec Sand absolutely butchered A.E. Waite's classic. Sand has a very odd way of reading; the words come out in odd little bursts, and he sounds reluctant ... as though he were being forced to read something he disagreed with vehemently during a violent attack of hiccups. Really, its excruciating .. I found the same thing with another lovely book; he gave it the same treatment and I found myself unable to listen to either. I wish these were available with a different narrator.

How could the performance have been better?

A different narrator! Please! Someone who sounds like he's enjoying what he is reading and appreciates a chance to share it with us!

Not for everyone.

I'm very glad this was recorded. But I can only recommend it to those who are already familiar with the print version and the author. It's hard to express just how pompous and bombastic Waite is, but the reader does a fantastic job of bringing this incredibly tedious text to life.

If you are looking for a introductory text on the Tarot, it's best to skip this one. If you are familiar with the author and others of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, then this can be an amusing listen.

If you find the author self-important and annoying, you are in good company: people have felt that way about Waite for more a century.