Book Description

"The Last Great Places" are the Nature Conservancy's flagship conservation sites-some 200 biologically rich landscapes throughout the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, Asia, and the Pacific. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the conservancy asked a dozen distinguished contemporary photographers to respond to a site with which he or she felt a special affinity. The result is In Response to Place. This beautifully produced volume features original, unpublished images by Annie Leibovitz, Richard Misrach, Sally Mann, William Wegman, Lee Friedlander, Mary Ellen Mark, Lynn Davis, Hope Sandrow, William Christenberry, Fazal Sheikh, Karen Halverson, and Terry Evans, as well as an essay by noted photography critic and curator Andy Grundberg and a foreword by acclaimed writer and naturalist Terry Tempest Williams. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

MM
A beautiful book that really tells a story and celebrates nature in a unique way.A great gift for anyone who appreciates natural beauty.

A Surprisingly Static Presentation
The photo by Richard Misrach on the cover of In Response To Place may be the high point of the collection. Several other Misrach images inside the book also compel but the rest of the work seems disjointed and uninteresting by comparison. Overall, I was terribly disappointed by this volume.

Conceptually, the notion of a group of artists responding aesthetically to a specific (Last Great) place as a theme for a photo-essay is intriguing. One can easily imagine how such a project might soar. Although individual photographs in this collection are indeed stirring, there is something about the portfolio as a whole which fails to satisfy; either as a cohesive statement on the need for preservation of endangered ecosystems, or as a presentation of art photography by a dozen acclaimed practitioners.

Another volume devoted to highlighting photographically the need for care and protection of precious spaces on Earth comes to mind here. Although not as highly specific thematically as In Response To Place, The World Wildlife Fund's spectacular Living Planet does a wonderful job of creating a vivid, consistently cogent statement on the immanence of place; something The Nature Conservancy's offering simply fails to do.

A Picture Is Worth....
In Response to Place is an amazing book! The pictures really draw you into the mind of the photographers and into the slendor of nature in its many forms! I was lucky enough to see the exhibition while it was in Washington, DC.

While the book cannot possibly evoke the same feelings of awe as the individual pictures hanging on the wall, it sure isn't a bad substitute if you cannot see them and it is a wonderful reminder if you can!

Poor example of photography
This book is probably the poorest representation of photography that I have seen in a Nature Conservancy book.I would not even recommend this book to an amateur for prose or photography.A real sample of the thoughtless art of todays "new world".

A must purchase for contemporary photography enthusiasts
This book is fabulous, showing many new works from contemporary photography masters like, Mann, Chistenberry, Misrach, etc.All works for a traveling photography exhibition! ... Read more

Book Description

A background in geology long led Rick Ruggles to notice and respond to nature's patterns and shapes. During the fall of 2000, his eye for detail led the artist-photographer to an unusual heart-shaped pothole, sparking a Valentine's Day idea for his girlfriend. Inspired by that single image, Rick began seeing hearts in leaves on the ground, in clouds in the sky, on telephone poles along the highway. Hearts, hearts ¿ everywhere!I Give You My Heart reflects the results of that seeing, searching, and recording of heart-shaped images from the ordinary world around us, a collection that now numbers well over 1,000. Each "heart" is photographed exactly as Rick found it, and all capture a sense of natural serendipity that many regularly miss.In I Give You My Heart, delicate images from Ruggles's Found Heart collection are paired with gentle words to create a truly unique keepsake book. The text is organized so the emotion builds from tentative and hesitant to bold and passionate, reflecting the natural course of an evolving relationship. "I give you my heart ¿ blushingly ¿ bashfully ¿ willingly ¿ faithfully ¿." The result is an original and thought-provoking presentation that's both captivating and inspirational. This beautiful gift book is perfect for couples, nature lovers, photographers, and anyone who appreciates the creative spirit, wherever it may surface. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When rain finally comes to "the land of little rain," the results are spectacular. Desert washes run thick with water only to become, a few months later, a raging current of wildflowers. But even drought doesn't drain the desert of its stark beauty. In Desert, Jack Dykinga has assembled a stunning collection of photographs that shows the Mojave Desert in all its moods.

The images are truly remarkable, particularly those with the warm colors and long shadows of dusk and dawn, when more than half of the 80 photographs were taken.Mountains, rocks, and water are typical winning subjects, but wildflowers are particularly well served by Dykinga, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer with two other books on desert landscapes. That wildflowers should be so prominent is no surprise, since many photographs document the sensational desert bloom that followed the El Niño winter of 1997-1998.

Janice Emily Bowers, a botanist and writer, brings the desert to life with her first-person narrative of kit fox sightings, wandering boulders, and basic desert ecology. She also describes the increasing threats to the more than 100 rare plants and animals in the Mojave.Dykinga's selectivity--not one photograph shows any trace of human activities--is balanced by Bowers's portrait of a desert at risk. They succeed in their mission to make new friends for the desert and renew old ones. This elegant book is really a reminder that the Mojave and Death Valley are worth protecting, saving, and visiting. --Pete Holloran ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Superb Photography
This book is a beauty, some of the most beautiful photographs I have ever seen.

I spent the first week of September in southern California this year, and on Sunday before Labor Day I drove from Los Angeles up to Death Valley. I hadn't been there since I was a child and I have to say although it is a desolate and lonely place (and 114 degrees at Furnace Creek the day I was there) it is also one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The sand dunes at Mesquite Flat alone are worth the trip.

Everyone should see it, but if you can't buy the book. My copy came shrinkwrapped in plastic which I really like, the last thing you want is to buy a nice book like this in a bookstore where someone has spilled coffee on the pages.

A mastefterful work by one of the world's best photographers
There is a knock at my door and here is the UPS man delivering my order from Amazon.com. Among the books: Desert, The Mojave and Death Valley Photographs by Jack Dykinga, text by Janice Emily Bowers. I barely had time to read more than a page or two of the text before it made me want to go straight to the photos to see the place she was clearly, and intelligently writing about. And I was not disappointed: It was overwhelmed with joy of at being able to share the keeness of Mr. Dykinga's fine and perceptive photographic vision of that place. This is a more subtle body of work than the previous books based around his photographs.

The Sonoran Desert had a similar effect on me years ago and expanded my sense of what ilandscape photography could be. Stone Canyons did not have as great of affect on me as the first book

More than anything else, the images in this book remind me why the large format camera is such a tremendous aid to seeing something more clearly and perceptively than you can with the naked eye. even more so than a 35mm or medium format or easily portable digital gear can. Some of the photos even have a sense of humor to them and when did you last see that in a photograph of a natural landscape? The reproduction of the images appears to be first rate and the design and typography of the book match its contents in quality.

In short there are wonderful things to be found in this book.

Inspiring book that will make you see!
This book just shows how spectacular a desert can look with the magnificent photos around the Mojave desert and Death valley of emptiness, stark flowers and blooms and just superb landscapes. It'll give you some inspiration to find something to look for even in a desert.

I know I will as I will be going to Ayer's Rock (Uluru) in Australia in a few months and it's also a big desert!

Superb.
This book is absolutely breathtaking. I cannot recommenrd it highly enough.

Great Mojave Photo Book
This book shows the stark beauty of the Mojave Desert. It contains spectacular photos of the flowers that bloom after the rains, and the documentation of the moving rocks at the "racetrack" is something you cannot miss. ... Read more

Book Description

These unique and remarkable photographs of the Great Plains, taken by Georg Joutras over the span of two decades, show the breathtaking grandeur of prairie and sky, the sometimes nuanced, other times brilliant colors of earth and evening light, the titanic scale of clouds and sun and horizon, and the intimate postures of its wild creatures.

Joutras's Great Plains are photographed from the heart, with reverence and wonder at the miraculously preserved ancient environment through which he pilgrimages. His powerful images conduct an unmediated sensuous immersion in nature, evoking the feel of the wind, the smell of earth, the sounds of sandhill cranes, the wary, watchful eyes of predators or prey, and an aura of simultaneous wildness and repose. These photographs, executed with boldness yet conceived and understood in humility, are glimpses of a transcendent world of light, color, and suspended time that we are privileged to witness.

These magnificent images-including both landscapes and wildlife portraits-are accompanied by a searching examination of all that it means to photograph the plains and its creatures. Beyond the physical challenges, the distances trekked, and the opportunities lost, what emerges is the joy in sharing the wildness and the vastness, the antiquity and the innocence, the fragility and the vitality of this unique land bounded by earth, sky, and light.

Georg Joutras is a professional wildlife and landscape photographer whose studio is located in the Historic Haymarket District in Lincoln, Nebraska. ... Read more

Book Description

Everyone has heard about animals that are now extinct. But author Bradley Trevor Greive wants everyone to learn about animals that can be saved?and then to do something about it.In inspiring narrative and striking photographs of everything from humpback whales to pigmy possums to African spoonbills, Greive and wildlife photographer Mitsuaki Iwago spell out Earth?s diverse animal inventory. They highlight species that once were plentiful but now are scarce?some that are now sadly extinct?and point out specific dangers that other animals face.The authors also present a call to action: ?To preserve our home and the priceless creatures that dwell within it you need only see the world as it is and have a vision of how it could be.? Priceless is a must-have book for everyone interested in the environment, biodiversity, and in all life on Earth ... Read more

Reviews (2)

My favourite book of wildlife photography
Reading through Priceless is a bittersweet experience. It is a joy to look at the wonderful photography of Mitsuaki Iwago, and also a joy to learn amazing facts about some of these animals and to detect the passion for conservation and wildlife protection in author Bradley Trevor Greive's text. But there is a sadness: we learn how difficult it is for most species to adapt to the vast changes made by humans to this planet, so difficult that many of them could not do it, and no longer exist.

We learn that "even polar bears from the Arctic Circle and penguins from Antarctica, creatures from the two most isolated and pure economic systems on earth, have a substantial build-up of toxic industrial chemicals stored in their fat deposits"; we learn that the first bomb dropped on Berlin during the Second World War killed the only elephant in the Berlin zoo; that the last passenger pigeon in existence died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914. The most important lesson from the book, however, is that if we don't do something soon to stop poisoning our world, ultimately us humans will be the ones suffering.

But the book ends with a message of hope, telling us that there are ways we can make a difference and giving suggestions of things we can do. Greive finally pays tribute to Gerald Durrell, celebrated zoologist, conservationist and author. The last 25 pages give information and facts about all the animals featured in the photographs throughout the book.

I strongly feel that if everyone read through this book, they would appreciate their planet a little more and want to help things change for the better. If I could afford to do so I would give it to everyone I know. It is very easy to read, the text on each page limited to a few sentences which apply to the photographs. The photos range from light-hearted and whimsical to completely awe-inspiring. The perfect gift for animal lovers and environmentalists, but I urge everyone to take a look. It is an inspiring experience.

AMAZING AND INSPIRING
every person should read this book, especially those who have no interest in saving our planet's creatures. after reading and SEEING this book they will! ... Read more

Book Description

"I am very impressed by Bob and Vera Thornton's book. The photos are excellent. . . . I am especially impressed by the enthusiasm they bring to their subject." --Victor Emanuel, President, Victor Emanuel Nature ToursKnown to many as "the butterflies of the bird world," wood warblers allure even the most experienced and discriminating birders. Their annual migrations to and from nesting areas in the United States and Canada draw thousands of birders to places such as High Island, Texas, Crane Creek, Ohio, and Point Pelee, Ontario, where warblers stop to rest and feed during the long journey. There birders have a chance to see and photograph these colorful, elusive songbirds whose quick, darting flight among high branches and thick cover makes them some of the most challenging birds to observe and identify.In this entertaining, beautifully illustrated book, Bob Thornton recounts his and Vera Thornton's cross-continent adventures in finding and photographing all 52 species of wood warblers that nest in the United States. In addition to describing where and how they photographed each species, Thornton tells marvelous stories of the colorful characters they encountered along the way. He also touches on the current human threats to wood warblers that come from loss of habitat. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A book design award winner
Chasing Warblers was published by University of Texas Press and it received a book design award by Southeastern Library Association in 2000. Book designer: Heidi Haeuser.

Chasing Warblers
A wonderful book.In addition to great photographs, it is a wonderful story of the adventuretaken to obtain the photo's by the photographers.

Here is a truly unique account of bird watching/photography
While many books on birds are either cumbersome "doorstops" with far too much information (even for the avid) or are comprised of acollection of "only good" photographs that all seem to blend intoone at the end of the reading (if you get that far), Bob and Vera's,"Chasing Warblers" is refreshing. Not only are the photographsfirst class by all standards, but the storyline is original and tight.First off, who gets that close to a Swainson's or a Colima or a Kirtlands,let alone photograph it?Any birder who has even scant knowledge ofwarblers and their persistant and sometimes frustrating "flutter"can appreaciate their task and acknowledge their success. Second, there isgood writing.The story of Bob and Vera's adventures and misadventuresfrom the mountaintops of the Texan deserts to the Pacific forests to thewoodlands of Central Park prove exciting and written in colorful coloquialspeak. Whether a birder or not - one can appreciate a book that combinestruly amazing photos with an entertaining story - a rare entity!! Review byMark Robert, San Francisco, Ca. ... Read more

Book Description

The latest portfolio from the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of Year competition, featuring the top 100 color photographs. ... Read more

Amazon.com

After the release of Yellowdog, Debra Marlin's beautiful photographic homage to her beloved golden retriever Sonny, Marlin was unsure of her next project.Finally, she found guidance in an unusual doggy dream:

A bit mystified at first at the large dark object with two even darker orifices on either side, I relaxed even further and the image became clearer. The object was Sonny's big black nose.... I had waited so long to be visited by him in his own time, but he hadn't come. And then suddenly there he was....I was incredulous. Not only was this a visit from Sonny, but it was also an indicator of my path. "But, Sonny, I've already done this Yellowdog thing," I said to him.His smiling face beamed even brighter. "Okay," I said, resigning myself. "I guess I'll just go with the flow."

Enter River, a bold, brash young retriever whose adorable puppy maneuvers Marlin chronicles in Yellowpup. As if golden pups aren't already extremely cute to begin with, throw in Marlin's keen black-and-white photography skills--and the obvious affection she holds for her subject--and this photographic essay is downright irresistible. Whether romping in the water or digging on the dunes, pounding down a path or hanging with his three older siblings, River's "playful romp through puppydom" will capture your heart.--Stefanie Hargreaves ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Golden Love
Having just met Debra Marlin this weekend in Carmel, I was introduced to a colorful, warm, person who photographs and paints with love. She took the time to open her shop so that I could buy a print with hopes of a painting in the near future. We too, have a golden retriever and it was wonderful sharing the passion we each have for them. "River" was in the studio and greeted each person who came in, ("Lake" was napping in the back of the studio) with a happy smile that is shown in her paintings. It is an artist and photographer like Debra Marlin, that I would definately return to purchase one of her paintings. She will return to Martha's Vineyard soon and with her busy schedule not be able to come to Carmel as often.(someone else will manage her shop) Somehow I know that no matter where or how hectic life might be, Debra will always take the opportunity to talk to you about the joy that her retrievers have brought her. She captures that in the beautiful colors of her paintings. I would encourage anyone and you don't have to be a "golden lover" to check out her paintings. You can feel the passion in her work! Debra anad "River" have a special place in my heart. :-) By the way, I bought "Joy" and that it is!!

An absolute must in reading
First,I must admit that it took an extreme amount of courage to complete my review. The flood of tears and my own experiences took me back in another time and place with my own Golden retriever dog, Cody who has been deceased since February 3, 1998. As you might suspect, I am still not over his death.

Debra Marlin's Golden retriever, Sonny was so very much like Cody. Read and enjoy this wonderful book that Debra Martin has given to the breed. Although it was an emotional journey for me I still give Debra and Sonny 5 BIG Stars!

Magnificent follow-up to Artist's first effort...
I enjoyed Debra's first volume, YellowDog, but like many, found it to be a highly emotional journey flipping through the pages. YellowPup, on the other hand, is a thoroughly upbeat collection of images and thoughts attesting to her love of these incredible canine creatures. She has captured the very essence of a dog's innocence, loyalty, dedication and fun-loving nature in a format rarely seen, black & white photography. ... Read more

Book Description

A travel guide and photography guide rolled into one that tells where to find picture-perfect shots and how to take them.

Spectacular views of Oregon's rocky coastline and the scenic driving routes that pass through it make it a favorite destination for amateur and professional photographers alike. This book tells you exactly where to go and how to go about shooting these "picture-perfect" places, so that you don't need to actually be a professional to take great photos.

Lively descriptions of each place are accompanied by directions and detailed maps for how to get there, plus information on seasonal timing, places to eat and stay, and other photo opportunities to explore along Oregon's coast. Also included is an appendices featuring the authors' favorite places to photograph and tips on digital photography. Packed with helpful tips for amateur and professionals alike, this book should be in the camera bag of every photographer who seeks to capture Oregon's stunning coastal beauty. 60 full-colorPhotos, 15 maps, appendices. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

breathtaking
i just got this book as a present, and we're getting ready to go. very reminiscent of galen rowell's work (high praise) with lots of dawn/evening atmospherics. but this one is full of double page panoramics - nothing is lost in the crease - of the incredible australian landscape. get another book if you want people, animals or cities.

Incredible!!
If you want to go or have ever been to Australia this is a must have book. It will intise you to visit or will remind you of all the natural beauty this amazing country has to offer. Peter Lik is a truley amazing photographer I have been to his galleries in Cairnes and Port Douglas in Australia and his work is breath taking. www.peterlik.com Also you can see what an amazing deal this is here at Amazon.com, this book usually retails for $70 US. Wonderful Masterpiece Peter!! ... Read more

Book Description

The most hilarious, whimsical moments captured on film, from twenty-five years of living Outside.

Short of near disaster or the sublime, what are our most memorable outdoor moments made of? The totally surprising, sometimes bizarre oddball moments that catch our psyches off guard and strike our funny bones to the core. Call it the wild side factor.

The editors of Outside proudly present outstanding images gleaned from 300 issues of their back-page "Parting Shots" photo feature. It's their way of celebrating the pratfalls and singular coincidences of an outdoor life—the comic circumstances of relatively tame mammals (us) spending more and more time closer and closer to large, wild animals. These images are a rare chance to look into the wide world outside and laugh at both ourselves and that infinitely wondrous, entertaining three-ring circus we call the universe. 67 four-color photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Captivating Moments of Beauty and Silliness
'The Polar Bear Waltz' is a wonderful book taken from the best of the popular "Parting Shot" feature in 'Outside' magazine, which monthly showcases a wild, wonderful, beautiful, funny, or just plain quirky shot taken by a top rate nature photographer.

The book contains a brief introduction and the remainder is the beautiful photographs, with photography information yet no captions to allow the reader to mentally construct their own. The photos are breathtaking, many involving animals, many human interest shots, or even an occasional landscape. My favorites have to be the 'polar bear waltz' photo by Frans Lanting in Hudson Bay, Canada (p.77), the 'smiling saguaro' by Joe McDonald taken in Arizona (p. 79), the 'north pole' shot by Per Breihagen (pp. 72-73), and the 'whimsical ostrich' shot by Kevin Horan taken in Addington, Oklahoma (p.45). All of the shots in this book are great, but perhaps the most touching is the photo from Mount Elbert, Colorado by Dave Showalter on September 16, 2001 (p.96), surely one of the most inspiring photographs I have ever seen.

This is a beautiful and affordable book of some of the most truly amazing and stunning, sometimes playful, sometimes serious, but always magnificent photographs that I have ever seen. I recommend it to anyone.

mostly human
Althou there are some "silly" animal shots, most are humans, especially skier and other atheletes. Don't buy it for the animal lover.

Great pictures, and funny too
I bought this book for my brother for Christmas. After he opened it, it went around the whole house and everyone loved the pictures. This is a great coffee table book and one that can be enjoyed over and over.

How to stuff a wild stocking
Simply a great gift book for anyone who loves wild places, adventure, the absurdity of life, and a good laugh.

Pefect for a Coffee table
If you know anyone who loves a new coffee table book every once in a while, or simply loves photography, this is a great gift! It portrays so many natural ironies that make your mind wonder and wander...so who couldn't appreciate it!? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent, uncompromised beauty
Really great photos of mounatin scapes in and about Yosimite. Waterfalls, forests, mountains and sky. Typical Ansel, most flawless. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive how-to/where-to guide to photographing more than 100 sites.

From barns and quaint villages to vibrantly colored forests and peaks covered with pristine snow, tourists flock from around the world to photograph Vermont's beauty. Now, a nationally recognized outdoor photographer tells you exactly where to go and how to go about shooting those "picture perfect" moments.

Directions, seasonal timing, as well as specific photographic tips accompany each site location. Whether you want to capture close-up images of native wildflowers or shoot that famous old gen-ral store, Middleton will take you where you need to go. Additional tips on digital photography make this a book for every tourist's camera bag. 50 color photographs, 5 maps. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is a great book
If you enjoy photography, especially in Vermont, then this is the book for you. I have enjoyed Mr. Middleton's photographs in Vermont Life and found the photos in this book to be even more fantastic. Vermont is a beautiful place and this book will tell you the best spots and the perfect times in which to photograph there. If you need further inspiration take a look at the authors Nature of Vermont, which is an exceptional book as well. ... Read more

Book Description

The vast range of commercially available pelar-goniums are presented here in all their glory. Photographs are arranged in alphabetical order and by group, with a description of the plant’s flowering characteristics and cultivation and propagation requirements set out by group.
... Read more

Book Description

Experience the strange beauty of Antarctica through photographs and exciting personal anecdotes that take armchair travelers and future explorers right to the edge of the ice! In this breathtaking book, Jim Mastro describes his striking year-long account of what it's like to exist at the bottom of the world, complete with photographs, captions, and his own dramatic, personal narrative. Experience face-to-face encounters with pods of killer whales, deadly winter storms, and floes of gray ice. Endure the lonely isolation during four months of utter darkness. Enjoy the anticipation and warmth of the world's shortest summer. Jim Mastro takes you there to face the challenges and adventures that he survived. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Better than expected
I expected a tome from someone who worked in Antarctica, heavy on the narrative, light on coffee-table book quality photographs. I was pleasantly surprised to find a fine quality book with excellent photographs. Well-written and nicely laid out, this makes a good introduction to modern-day Antarctic history.

I've read the account of the doctor who had breast cancer and her rescue "Ice Bound" as well as a scientist's account of working in the Antarctic area, "Crystal Desert". Neither of them were as good as this book.

I've travelled to the Antarctic peninsula (as well as the fantastic South Georgia Island, a sub-antarctic island), and it's a wonderfully beautiful place. Some of the photographs capture the southernmost continent's incredible beauty and equally fantastic wildlife.

Recommended.

The reader is part of the voyage
If you are in the least bit interested in Antarctica, as I have been for about 20 years, READ THIS BOOK. Mastro is a brilliant travel writer whose simple, witty, easily enjoyable style keeps you feeling as though you were there experiencing the whole thing yourself. An amazing narrative insight into several different areas of the frozen continent, in weather conditions beyond belief, as well a trip below the ice on a diving expedition, and a trip to Bird Island on the Antarctic Peninsua. I learned so much form this book! It would be well worth the price even if it were only in text form. The amazing pictures throughout it really add to the sense of what it is really like there.

The Haunting Beauty of Antarctica
Jim Mastro got to do what so few of us are able to do - to spend a year at the bottom of the world and experience the frenetic summers and the solitary winters. His experiences are recorded here to share with readers and makes for a fascinating and beautiful book. Mastro spent a year working in Antarctica as a diver and lab support person. He has recorded in words and photographs what he experienced and saw. And this is what is different about his book. Other books such as "Terra Incognita" and "Antarctica: Exploring the Extreme: 400 Years of Adventure" try to describe the beauty and danger of the southern continent. This book shows you. The photos are glorious and breathtaking and serve to illustrate the stories Mastro writes. If anything now I am even more determined that I must see Antarctica myself. He gives you the majesty of this bleak land, as well as the intimacy that comes as the night closes in for the winter, and finally the small slivers of joy that come as the winter begins to recede and light returns to the continent. A cycle of life and rebirth that so few of us will ever get to see is wonderfully illustrated here. Just a wonderful book.

Smart, spectacular view of life in Antarctica
If your goal is to get a sense of what it's like to live and work in Antarctica, then Mastro's book "A Year at the Bottom of the World" is a must. If you just want to look at spectacular pictures of the Antarctic, then Mastro's book is a must. If you want an affordable, top-quality tabletop book, then Mastro's is a must. If you don't want to warp your coffee table top ... well, unlike a typical picture book (which will accomplish said warping), Mastro's is a sensible 10.25 x 11.25-inch, four pound gem. I've been going to the ice since 1984 and have read many other accounts. (I guess that makes me knowledgeable.) Mastro's is by far the best. His photography captures the Antarctic scenery -- above and below the ice -- brilliantly. Stunning, clever, and fascinating are also appropriate descriptors. The text is a first person narrative; I normally find these to be terribly boring. So initially I bought this book for the pictures. (Did I mention that the images are spectacular, brilliant, stunning, clever, and fascinating?) But, as you can imagine, it's hard to avoid glancing at the text, too. As I read more, I gawked at the pictures less. I was genuinely surprised at how much I *enjoyed* reading it! He cleverly builds the narrative, illustrating his growth from a naive Californian geek into ... well, whatever Mastro has transformed into after all these experiences. Some of his stories are thoughtful & somber, some are funny, and all are interesting. Bravo Mastro!

Historical perspective on Jim Mastro's book
Antarctic accounts come in a number of different flavors. (Skip the next four paragraphs to cut to the chase).

The first variety is the explorer's official account. They were - and are - written to inform the public of the expedition's accomplishments, generally by the expedition's leader and frequently to help pay the inevitable bills that survive the expedition. James Clark Ross' "A Voyage of Discovery and Research, In the Southern and Antarctic Regions, during the years 1839-43", Robert Scott's "The Voyage of the Discovery" and Ernest Shackleton's "The Heart of the Antarctic" are among the classics.

There are scientists recounting a particular piece of work (Bill Green's "Water, Ice & Stone") or a career (Charles Swithenbank's "An Alien in Antarctica", "Foothold on Antarctica" and "Forty Years on Ice"), transcribed journals (Edward Wilson's "Diary of the Discovery Expedition to the Antarctic Regions 1901-1904" and Charles Wright's "Silas"), photographers (Ansel Adams' "Antarctica"), historians (among them Ann Savours and T.H. Baughman), and a philosopher (Stephen Pyne's "The Ice").

A major category is that of the instant expert or Antarctic tourist. These are generally writers who have conducted extensive research in preparation for a brief sojourn in Antarctica. The numerous works range from trivial to profound. Jim Henderson's IGY book ("One Foot at the Pole" - he had an artificial limb) is quite droll while Sara Wheeler's recent accounts are excellent.

The instant experts provide a snapshot of life on the ice through the eyes of an honored visitor. They are generally sponsored by a National Antarctic Program and have privileges most residents of Antarctica can only imagine, primarily access to the ice edge and its fauna as well as to areas beyond an hour's walk from main bases.

The Chase.
An uncommon type of account is a resident's, the first of which was Apsley Cherry-Garrard's "The Worst Journey in the World". Cherry-Garrard was a youthful, pleasant, gentleman of means whose primary recommendations to Scott's last expedition were his engaging personality and substantial financial contribution. He had neither the vested interest in the expedition's success that its leaders felt, nor did he have the detailed scientific duties of its experts. He was instead a generalist and acute observer who, as a resident of the continent, wrote a classic of Antarctic literature that is arguably the best of the lot.

There are many contemporary residents of Antarctica. They provide services and are the foundation of the infrastructure that supports the scientists and privileged tourists. Those residents' lives are full, rich and very different from those they support. Some come to the ice for the adventure, some for the community and some for the job. Many are articulate, multiple-season, steady residents whose life includes 6 months on the ice working and 6 months off the ice enjoying the fruits of that labor. Few, however, have published their observations.

Jim Mastro was a resident who spent both summer seasons and winters on the ice. He held positions of responsibility without the burden of setting policies or practices needing defense. In short, Jim worked there. He describes what makes the Antarctic community so unique in a book that is a detailed account of a year on the ice.

Mastro's book "A Year at the Bottom of the World" is more detailed and far richer than the brief and sunny snapshot generally taken by the tourists. Mastro recalls exploits that are frequently amusing, occasionally dangerous and in some cases the result of not-so-great decisions. His tone is pleasantly understated as he recognizes danger without descending to melodramatic proclamations. The book is visually appealing and illustrated with Mastro's superb photographs. It is historically accurate with sufficient background information to allow a new student of the Antarctic to read it without additional reference material (without becoming another prosaic account of already-told history).

One of the primary attractions of this book is that rather than explaining the difficulties of a hugely complex expedition or the rarified atmosphere of high academic accomplishment, Mastro tells of living and working there. It is obvious that he is good at what he does and that he enjoys himself, but he's basically one of the guys. There is some drama but little death-defying adventure; some disappointment but not much tragedy; some accomplishments but no nominations for the Nobel Prize. Mastro is a pretty normal guy in an extraordinary place with concerns and accomplishments that are both imaginable and reachable for the rest of us.

Mastro's keen eye, wry turn of phrase and dramatic photographs make this an accurate and engaging account of the Antarctic life. Technology has modified a few details, but the basics of a full year in Antarctica are unaltered since the first winter-over more than a century ago. This book is the best account of contemporary life in Antarctica. ... Read more

Book Description

Astronomy buffs often wish they could photograph what they see through their telescopes. Camera buffs often wish they knew the techniques for capturing majestic yet elusive heavenly bodies. Astrophotography brings these two hobbies together in one complete resource.

This big, fully-illustrated book offers:
- Practical guidance and authoritative advice
- Equipment resources and contacts
- Brand-new star charts and illustrations
- Techniques for conventional and digital photography

Step-by-step instructions are given for choosing and using the right camera, shooting with a telescope, getting the best out of black and white and color film, and developing pictures at home or while traveling.

Specific instructions are given for photographing:

- The Sun, the Moon and the planets
- Meteors and comets
- Stars and satellites
- Rainbows, halos, and other phenomena in the night sky

This new edition also includes the latest information for shooting digital and dedicated astro CCDs (charge-coupled device) for capturing faint nebulae and distant galaxies. Generously illustrated with 100 color and black and white photographs, Astrophotography is an attractive and easy-to-use reference. ... Read more

Book Description

National Geographic The Photographs is a captivating, full-color presentation of National Geographic magazine’s best and most memorable photographs of the last 25 years, the facts behind them, and the stories of the men and women who took them.

Book Description

Six distinct seasons are depicted in stunning color photographs by Vermont's premiere photographer. For more than thirty years Richard Brown has been taking photographs of his adopted home state of Vermont. Now he brings together his favorite images in this ode to the land and its people, to share his own deeply personal vision of this beloved and picturesque state. Richard Brown's Vermont has six seasons, not four. The familiar glory of fall foliage, when the hills are giddy with color, gives way to the austere "Off-Season," that brief November transition before the snow flies, when the bones of the landscape are revealed in fallow fields and the bare limbs of trees. In deepest winter the ubiquity of snow renders even more vivid those few colors that remain—the cobalt blue of a shadow on snow, the warm red of a barn. "Mud and Maple" celebrates both the convivial season of flowing sap and the perennial indignities of impassable dirt roads. In the spring lambs frolic in greened-up pastures, and all-too-fleeting summer months bring a burst of industry to gardens and fields before September's frost. Brown's soulful images create a distinctive photographic portrait of Vermont's landscape. He chronicles with great affection the people who still work the land, and without sentiment celebrates a rapidly disappearing way of life. 120 color photographs.

• Brown's photographs are serious works of art and bring a highly personal aesthetic to an often hackneyed genre.
• Brown is the photographer perhaps most identified with the state. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Richard W. Brown Gives Us the Treasure Of New England!
I first remember seeing one of Richard Brown's spectacular photographs on he cover of Country Journal, a magazine devoted to celebrating rural life styles that ran a span of several years in the early to late 1980s. Brown's stunning photographic style showcased the day-to-day confluence of ordinary Vermonters living their lives in the rural splendor of the Northeast Kingdom in the far reaches of the lovely "People's Republic Of Vermont". Often Country Journal would feature a number of his photos inside each issue, so one subscribing the magazine began to look for them both on the cover and inside, as well. Indeed, his work was what made me search for the latest issue at the beginning of each month.

Here he stuns us with the majesty of Vermont as it transpires through its incredibly beautiful cycle of seasons in a way that only a photographer of such obvious abilities could. Herein he shares many of his favorites, and several of these I have seen before in other venues. The problem with a book filled with such gorgeously shot, developed and produced rural photographs is that one is tempted to carefully extract them for framing on the wall. They are really that terrific! Photographs range from shots of landscapes to silhouettes of a farmhouse steaming against the winter cold, from children walking down a dirt-covered tree lined country road exploding into autumn's extravagance to an elderly gentleman leaning against a barn with his favorite cat. One sits transfixed by the sheer variety of scenes and colors so native to the rural landscapes and personal portraits. This is a wonderful travelogue into the heart of New England.

Brown shows us all of the changes that transpire in the North country, a place where the changes are so frequent and so momentous that they comprise six seasons, adding both the dreaded mud season of early springtime on the one hand, and the so-called 'off-season' after the autumn glory has been swept away, leaving cold bare trees and a hauntingly spare and vacant atmosphere to settle over the region on the other. Listen a few times to folksinger Tom Rush's rendition of "Urge For Going" a few times on the CD player and you will get the idea. Brown's imaginative hand is lovingly apparent in this book, displaying both the soulful visages of local inhabitants and the unique flavor of the haunting ever-changing scenery so typically Vermont. This is a distinctive and memorable recreation of what we love so much about being native new Englanders! Enjoy!

Sometimes Words Are Wholly Inadequate....
Reviewing a book such as this again supports the truth of that old bromide, "a picture is worth a thousand words." At least no words of mine can do full justice to Brown's talent as a photographer. He settled in Whitingham in 1968 and began to teach in a small rural school. During the years since then, he has taken thousands of photographs of Vermont in search of what is, to his own eye, that state's unique character. As he explains in the Introduction, over time he shifted his attention from Vermont's natural beauty to what he calls "the cultivated landscape." A preponderance of the photographs in this volume (many of which not previously published) were taken in the "Northeast Kingdom." He organizes his work according to the seasons which include the "Off-Season" from late-October until Thanksgiving. For at least a few of those who read this review, my comments about Brown may be of some interest but, I realize, merely suggest a context for the creation of works of art which I lack the talent to describe. If you cannot visit Vermont in person, do so by seeing it through Brown's eyes. If you cherish his book as much as I do, you will also want to have a copy of The Beauty of Vermont, edited by Tom Slayton. As both books clearly indicate, the soul of Vermont is its beauty...and beauty its soul.

Magnificent
I was born and raised in Vermont, have lived out of the state for years, visiting annually. This book really did bring me home to the Soul of Vermont. The photographs are wonderful. They just take you in. If you want to spend some time in Vermont and can't make the trip, this is THE book for you. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Picture book
The pictures are stunning.

But it is only a coffee-table book, and there it will remain, because pictures is all it is. You get no sense of place; it is impossible to orient yourself ... a nice picture of an elephant is just that, and this book provides no context whatever.

But, it does have nice pictures.

Pictures, just pictures
The pictures are fine, but this book won't show anyone interested in wildlife anything new - & it doesn't explain anything...

Wildlife and nature photography at its best!
These images bring the Serengeti to you. This being largely a pictoral tour of the Serengeti, words do it little justice. If you are an intelligent animal lover with a pulse, you will pay twice the cover price for this book.

A gorgeous representation of the beauty one really sees
Having just returned from Kenya and Tanzania and as an aspiring photographer myself, I was anxious to get my own film developed. I did and had some good shots, but was dissappointed because only a few of my shots conveyed what I felt when I was actually in Africa. Only a little bit of what I captured on film was something I could use to show people when they asked me how my trip was. Out of my own photographs, only 3 or 4 really conveyed the emotions and awe I felt in viewing the African wildlife and landscape.

This book is a completely different story. Every single photograph conveys all of the beauty and awe-inspiring nature that is Africa. I can look at these photos and say "this is exactly what Africa is like." These photos are so beautiful that just by looking at them I begin to feel some of what I felt standing on the plains myself at dawn watching a family of lions no more than 100 yards away. Iwago's use of composition, light, and technique clearly convey life on the Serengetti. Everything from the absolute power of the lion to the complete goofiness of the Wildebeast is conveyed wonderfully in this book.

If you have any of the same interests I do in wildlife and Africa go on safari. If you can't do that, at least do yourself the favor of picking up this book.

Truly a gift from this photographer
We recently returned from Tanzania and Serengeti, after seeing this book in the airport in Africa at the start of our trip I could not carry it around for 5 weeks up Mt Kilimanjaro, after returning to Australia and finding it very difficult to get, I am glad that I have found it. A truly lovely piece for the coffee table ... Read more

Book Description

The Life of an Oak takes an intimate look at all aspects of the oak tree, from a microscopic examination of its cellular processes to a survey of the grand Diaspora by which members of this remarkable family have spread around the world and diversified.The separate yet exquisitely coordingated development of male and female flowers, the bursting of buds, the outpouring of leaves, and the groping of roots are described in language and art that will enchant the professional and armchair botanist alike. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A remarkable book
I picked up this book thinking that I should have it in my library but not much more. I was soon captivated by its lovely figures and pictures and by its insightful discussions of ALL the various aspects of the oak. I'm not a botanist or even an ecologist, and this book is not just for oak-wonks or something. On the other hand, I just gave my copy to the resident scientist at a local oak preserve (in the hills above San Diego) and so here I am back to buy yet another copy for my library. Highly recommended.

Best Book on Oaks
I bought this book for my father who is developing an oak park. He has an insatiable appetite for books, especially those on oaks, he loved it and said it was the best book on oaks he'd ever read...

A complete and enjoyable book about the oaks of the world.
I enjoyed this book because it was complete and had much up-to-date information. Many botancial texts are often out-of-date by the time they have been in print for a time, so it was nice to find soch good, up-to-date material. It's also well written. It's actually a fun read about oaks. Good pictures also. AFter reading this book, whether you are an expect or just a fan, you'll never pass an oak without a much deeper understanding and appreciation of what a unique plant it is. ... Read more