The Codex | Rebel Thinkers Publishing Reviews 32

TL;DR: This is the "anti-Temu" purchase of the year. The Codex is a massive, heirloom-quality masterpiece that feels like stumbling upon Leonardo da Vinci's private journals. With 160 gsm archival paper and stunning hand-drawn illustrations by a resilient Ukrainian creative team, it’s a brilliant blend of history, soul, and world-class design. If you want a coffee table book that actually makes people put down their phones, this is the one.

I first spotted The Codex: Inventions of the Human Mind in my social feed. Usually, buying from a social media ad is a high-stakes gamble; one day you think you’re ordering a Renaissance masterpiece, and the next, a "Temu-special" arrives that is thinner than my patience. I was skeptical, but my inner history nerd won out. I’m so glad it did.

Before we even get to the ink, let’s talk logistics. I managed to cause a minor delivery snafu on my end, but the Rebel Thinkers customer care team handled it like pros. They were responsive, kind, and had the book at my door ultra-fast. Five stars for the humans behind the scenes!

The physicality? An absolute unit. This isn't just a book; it’s an encyclopedia that commands respect. It is incredibly hefty, printed on 160 gsm archival-quality paper, which is a fancy way of saying the pages feel like they were pulled from a monastery rather than a modern printer. No wafer-thin mail catalog paper here. This is an heirloom piece to pass down to your grandkids so they can see that humanity did, in fact, invent things before the iPhone.

What I like most is the art as a visual journey through genius. The real magic is the motif. It’s styled like a medieval manuscript, but it’s actually a brilliant piece of visual engineering. This aesthetic hook feels like stumbling upon Leonardo’s private journals, and it is more than just a "look." The way-finding is well thought out using this design principle; the art isn't just decoration, it’s an infographic map of human progress.

The illustrations act like an infographic GPS. You can flip to any page for a hit of inspiration or read it chronologically to watch the Aha! moments of history unfold. It’s dense with info but feels as intuitive as a smartphone (only much prettier). You can deep-dive from cover to cover or just teleport to a random page and get lost in the intricate, hand-drawn details.
Lastly, knowing this was crafted by a collective of Ukrainian artists adds a layer of soul to the project. Despite the unimaginable hardships in their home country, they’ve channeled their inspiration into something educational and beautiful. It’s a testament to human ingenuity, the very subject of the book. If you’re looking for a coffee table book that actually invites people to put down their phones and pick up a masterpiece, this is it. It’s a brilliant blend of history, design, and heart.

Well done, Rebel Thinkers. You’ve earned every bit of this 5-star rating! 🇺🇦

I purchased this book for one of my sons who lives in the UK (I am in Australia) and he is impressed with its detail and quality.
We were on a video call when he first opened it and it was so beautifully presented.
It will also be a wonderful source of information for my two grandsons.

This is one big chunky book full of wonderful detail ! Very well protectively packaged for mail order and beautifully presented once opened up. This is definitely book to enjoy in comfort sat back on the sofa or poring over on the coffee table with the kids.

The silver edged pages are a really nice touch. The art and typeface, colouring of the pages, all beautiful. The Rebel Thinkers team have done some REALLY GOOD work here, and all the while their country still in a state of war ! Creating & shipping this book out globally, at not insignificant scale is a mammoth task

So much effort has gone into making this a memorable keepsake tome to enjoy with family & friends, and containing so much information I know I will come back to this from time to time to check up on a historical detail or another.

Slava Ukraini !

It looks like an old medieval book, but it has all the inventions right in every detail. The big book has excellent quality, good binding and a great haptic feeling. The illustrations are great in detail and color, the description is on the point. I love looking at the pages, learning more. It's a really different feeling having this book in hand instead and looking something up than asking on the internet. And the good is, this books works even without internet and electricity. And the illustrations are much better than a lot of internet sides.

Absolutely recommended, also great for kids.

Great information and detailed graphics.

Everything is top shelf with this first book. Archival quality paper, research backed information, eye-pleasing writing style and supportive art work, substantial heaviness of the book…the list goes on and on! Needless to say, I’ve already signed up for the next edition produced by Rebel Thinkers Publishing. These professionals get it right!

C.J. Barnes
Springfield, VA

Excellent book. Beautiful illustrations. I've backed every noe they've offered.

Absolutely astonishing artwork ! I'm tremendously enjoying this pricey, but beautiful book.

The quality and care of Rebel Thinkers is amazing! We have their first two books, and they are truly works of art. I feel like I need to wear white gloves when touching the pages, as they give off the experience of holding an ancient tome of knowledge. Fall in love with these works of art!

It's a very informative book, with beautiful art work and excellent print quality. We have kept it on our living room coffee table, and use it often as a general knowledge conversation starter with the kids.

From the delivery packaging to the final page of the book, the attention to quality is breath-taking. The work is inspirational and accessible; and a joy to read and experience. I am very much looking forward to their next releases.

The Codex is a wonderful book that looks beautiful and lots of information that was promised. It was created and shipped on time as promised.

Awesome book. Superb illustrations and excellent information.

I received my two copies of the Codex and wow—I’m blown away! The beautiful hard cover, gilded edges, and gorgeous illustrations make it a work of art and such a joy to hold and read. The way the book is organized really helps to see where each inventor fits in history without feeling overwhelmed.

What I love most is the heart behind this project—your team’s personal touch and the effort to highlight Ukraine’s talent. That’s very inspiring for a Ukrainian who lives abroad! And honestly, this book is perfect for kids. In a world where screens take up so much of their time, Codex gives them something real to spark curiosity and learn from.

Huge congratulations—you’ve created something amazing, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Overall, great experience and no haste at all!

I backed The Codex Book on Kickstarter, and it has exceeded every expectation I had — and I already expected something great. This is not just a book, it’s a work of art.

The large format makes the illustrations feel alive, the colored page edges look stunning, and the embossed cover feels premium the moment you touch it. The slipcase is beautiful and solid, and even the shipping box has such gorgeous design that I’m absolutely keeping it to store the book. Who knew I’d ever admire a box?

It’s clear that every detail was created with passion and respect for the craft. I’m going to keep this book with real care — and one day I’ll pass it on to my children. Some things deserve to be treasured, and The Codex Book is definitely one of them.

Highly recommended. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth it — it absolutely is.

I received the book a few days back and it is just a unique piece of art. The huge amount of work, love and detail clearly shows in each page. It is one of the few books that I'd like my grandchildren (and their grandchildren) to inherit as an ageless classic. Congratulations to the team, a clear display of Ukrainian craftsmanship and entrepreneurship!

I was impressed with *The Codex*. It has far exceeded my expectations, even after reading all of the Kickstarter emails about it. This is truly the best book in its genre I have ever encountered.
My husband and I received it last week and were immediately captivated. We absolutely love everything about it—the content, the illustrations, and the wonderful sense of humor. You've done an amazing job, and we honestly couldn't believe how fantastic it is.

I recently received both a physical and digital copy of their wonderfully illustrated Codex book. It does a deep dive on illustrating world history, covering so much ground it's amazing. Well done!

I would have rated it 6 out of 5—but I’m limited to 5/5!

Absolutely stunning. The book, the content, and the packaging are all incredible. From the moment you open the box to the first turn of a page, everything feels magical. It’s hard to believe that in today’s fast-paced world, someone took the time to create such a beautiful, thoughtful piece.

Six stars, without a doubt!

I had purchased it for my best friend's birthday, which was back in March, and so she's been getting Codex updates instead of a present for months now. When we got it back to the house, I quickly removed it from the shipping container and gave it to her. She was THRILLED!!! and particularly liked the timeline of inventions in the front, and the page on agriculture. She grows food and works with an organization that is dedicated to local food gardens, so that was apt. I loved the page on looms--but then, I make my living as a weaver.

I truly appreciate your concern that the book arrive in pristine condition, which it did, because it is an outstanding example of the printer's art.