Book Description

Never feel like a stranger in Germany again!

On entering a restaurant, should you find your own table or wait to be seated? What is a suitable topic for small-talk with a stranger? In what circumstances might you ask to borrow ein Handy? All these answers and more can be found in When in Germany, Do As the Germans Do, a fun and intriguing book that teaches you about Germany's culture, language, and people.

It features 120 intriguing multiple-choice questions that are cross-referenced to fascinating articles on pop culture, customs, behavior, history, consumer trends, literature, tourist sights, business, language, and more. Also included are key terms and useful expressions, informative charts, and websites for further reference.

Reviews (3)

Great Primer but NOT an Authoritative Guide to German Life
I wish I could give this book a five start like the other reviewers, but I cannot due to my recent experience using this book in Germany.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get a quick and entertaining introduction to German Life, Language, and Culture. But to someone who has already been to Germany, has an understanding of Deutsche Kultur, and/or is studying German I would recommend keeping an open mind to how limiting this book can be. Let me elaborate:

While the book does a superb job of starting with a quiz (and most Germans love quizes) and provides the quiz answers in the back, has supporting articles and web-sites throughout the book, and even has a map of the 16 Budesländer (federated States) it comes short of being Comprehensive or Authoritative.

What I had found when I used this book (quiz) with my friends and relatives in Germany is that:
a) Some answers may be debatable (section on 'Do As the Germans Do' and 'Know What the Germans Know').
b) Some statistics may have changed (section on 'Time,' 'Quantity' and 'Laws and Regulations') since the time Hyde Flippo wrote the respective articles.

In real life, Germans as a people are not as homogeneous as they come across when answering the quiz questions and reading the articles in this book. Many Germans identify first with the region (Bundesland) where they live in. Each region has their own traditions, festivals, and many time different public religious holidays (like the Catholic states in the southern part vs. the Protestant States central/northern Germany). As such, someone from Thüringen will answer some questions differently than someone from Berlin or someone from Hamburg. Nevertheless the sections on 'People,' 'Places' 'What's That?' are invaluable to anyone.

A companion book that I would recommend is Richard Lord's "Culture Shock - Germany, A Guide to Customes and Etiquette."

Funny book!
I truely had a lot of fun ready this book about Germans and German customs. I am myself German but I lived quite many years in foreign countries and read a lot of literature about other countries and there inhabitants. And I always wanted to read something about how others view the Germans. And I must say it was very amusing and the informations are realistic. And I recommended it to my friends, Germans and Non-Germans, as a good lecture. Everyone who can pass the test is really good prepared for staying in Germany. I must admit, that I could not answer everything correctly, but that way I even learned some interesting facts about my country, too.

Those Surprising, Never Boring German Ways
"When in Germany, Do as the Germans Do"
Hyde Flippo
ISBN 0-8442-2553-3

Hyde Flippo has written another interesting book about German ways, for Americans planning to go to Germany. It is a good follow-up to "The German Way". Sometimes writers of travel books try to provide insights that turn out to be misleading. Mr. Flippo, however, is neither travel writer nor dilettante and seems to know Germany well.

The book begins with a series of questions to test one's knowledge of things German. Despite having once lived in Germany, having traveled there several times recently, and being particularly interested in the German language and culture, out of the first ten questions, I could answer only three correctly.

The German washing machine is a case in point. Any American who has ever tried to do laundry at a German laundromat has discovered differences in the process. For starters, there hardly are any German laundromats. Next, a German washing machine may have a two-hour wash cycle, it uses hotter water, since it heats its own, and it spins the laundry to a near dry state.

Regarding the German language, Mr. Flippo cites a number of English sounding words commonly in use that Germans think are English words, which are not. A couple of examples are "die Basecap" which means "baseball cap", and "der Talkmaster", which refers to a "talk show host".

Flippo touches on other "Germanisms" which I have encountered. One is the idea that drinking tap water is unhealthy and should be avoided. A waitress I encountered in Austria explained that although it was okay for Americans to drink tap water that it was not good for Germans and Austrians. Germans tend to drink bottled mineral water, and asking for tap water, "das Leitungswasser", will not uncommonly be regarded as fairly strange behavior.

Another useful thing to know is that credit cards are not as universally accepted as they are in the U.S. Flippo warns that is best to never assume that a restaurant will accept your credit card. The same is true for smaller hotels and accommodations. As evidence, Flippo points out that although France has a population of about 58 million and Germany 82 million, 250,000 less locations in Germany accept credit cards.

One of the most entertaining chapters in the book is about household garbage in Germany. One is not allowed to simply put anything in one's garbage can. There are strict local rules for the separation of the various types of waste. Glass waste is not to be mixed with biodegradable waste, for example. Break the rules, and your garbage does not get picked up. By the way, the garbage disposal is not to be found in Germany, and it is in fact illegal, due to pollution considerations.

Despite previous familiarity with Germany, I acquired new information from this book and very much enjoyed reading it. Hopefully, in the future, Hyde Flippo will tell me some more that I do not know about the German-speaking world. ... Read more

Book Description

Originally published in 1987, Joel Sternfeld’s now-classic view of America is here remastered, redesigned, and reprinted at a larger, brighter, truer scale. Finally, photography and offset printing techniques have caught up with Sternfeld’s eye, and this new edition of American Prospects succeeds in presenting Sternfeld’s most seminal work as it has always meant to be shown. A specially-commissioned essay by Kerry Brougher, Chief Curator at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, considers the historical context in which Sternfeld was working and the pivotal role that American Prospects has played in the course of contemporary filmmaking and art photography. In American Prospects, a fireman shops for a pumpkin while a house burns in the background; a group of motorcyclists stop at the side of the road to take in a stunning, placid view of Bear Lake, Utah; the high-tech world headquarters of the Manville Corporation sits in picturesque Colorado, obscured by a defiant boulder; a lone basketball net stands in the desert near Lake Powell in Arizona; and a cookie-cutter suburban housing settlement rests squarely amongst rolling hills in Pendleton, Oregon. Sternfeld's photographic tour of America is a search for the truth of a country not just as it exists in a particular era but as it is in its ever-evolving essence. It is a sad poem, but also a funny and generous one, recognizing endurance, poignant beauty, and determination within its sometimes tense, often ironic juxtapositions of man and nature, technology and ruin. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A wonderful trip through America !
If you are a great picture lover and a big fan of U.S.A., like me, you gotta have this book! It has a lot of information about the country, divided by regions, with a lot of two-page panoramas, beautiful landscapes, cities and architecture. From the moment you open this book, you won't stop reading it. And by turning the pages, you'll find the essence of America!

A greatbook to view all of America!
This book is great for people of all ages. If you have ever wanted a book to show the diversity of America while showing how the states all work as a whole, then this book is for you. There are beautiful pictures, histories,overviews of different cities and maps to locate where things are. I highlyrecommend this book to anyone with a love of this country! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

brooklyn friends
an interesting collection of photos of youths living in brooklyn during the 50's
im not quite sure why this is referred to as a gang--as there is no gang type of life really shown in these images. a better name for this book should have been BROOKLYN FRIENDS

Brooklyn Gang: Summer 1959
This is some of the most emotional pictures I have seen.Brooklyn Gangs rates as my favorite photo books of all time.

Stunning edition of a most evocative vintage NY photo study
This new edition of Bruce Davidson's classic study of tough New York youths in the 50's, marks a most welcome and sure-to-be-collected photo book.The reproductions and layout are superb, rich and textured, and theaccompanying text is illuminating.And this doesn't even begin to describethe superb images Davidson, one of the world's great "streetphotographers" captures here. In all, without much of Davidson's workin-print, aside from "Central Park," this is one that artphotograpahy fans and those interested in New York's colorful past willsurely want to own. ... Read more

Book Description

The Photographs of Ansel Adams with the Writings of John Muir

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ansel Adams whose landmark early photographs of wild America, originally taken for the Works Progress Administration, fill the pages of this splendid volume.Adams' breathtaking images are accompanied by excerpts from the writings of Sierra Club founder John Muir, the renowned conservationist who devoted his life to celebrating and preserving the American wilderness. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Great Book
If you're a fan of Ansel Adams, you will absolutely love this book. It's 127 pages of breathtaking photography with poetic writings by John Muir. The images fill the entire page while subtle text accompanies the photographs. "I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out until sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." These passages work hand in hand with the photographs giving a meditative quality about them. For a split moment you actually feel like you are physically standing in that surrounding and experiencing the beauty of nature. Adams and Muir work as a unit to document this beautiful phenomenon we call nature and present it to us in this book called America's Wilderness.
This book allows you to appreciate the beauty of America from the vast mountaintops to the endless plains to the ever-changing cloud formation. He captures the essence of Mother Nature and all her minute details. This book would be far from complete if it were not for the eloquent writings of John Muir. Though Muir has long passed away, his writing, fortunately, will never depart.

Great book!
If you're a fan of Ansel Adams, you will absolutely love this book. It's 127 pages of breathtaking photography with poetic writings by John Muir. The images fill the entire page while subtle text accompanies the photographs. "I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out until sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." These passages work hand in hand with the photographs giving a meditative quality about them. For a split moment you actually feel like you are physically standing in that surrounding and experiencing the beauty of nature. Adams and Muir work as a unit to document this beautiful phenomenon we call nature and present it to us in this book called America's Wilderness.
This book allows you to appreciate the beauty of America from the vast mountaintops to the endless plains to the ever-changing cloud formation. He captures the essence of Mother Nature and all her minute details. This book would be far from complete if it were not for the eloquent writings of John Muir. Though Muir has long passed away, his writing, fortunately, will never depart.

Great Images
If you're a fan of Ansel Adams, you will absolutely love this book. It's 127 pages of breathtaking photography with poetic writings by John Muir. The images fill the entire page while subtle text accompanies the photographs. "I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out until sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." These passages work hand in hand with the photographs giving a meditative quality about them. For a split moment you actually feel like you are physically standing in that surrounding and experiencing the beauty of nature. Adams and Muir work as a unit to document this beautiful phenomenon we call nature and present it to us in this book called America's Wilderness.
This book allows you to appreciate the beauty of America from the vast mountaintops to the endless plains to the ever-changing cloud formation. He captures the essence of Mother Nature and all her minute details. This book would be far from complete if it were not for the eloquent writings of John Muir. Though Muir has long passed away, his writing, fortunately, will never depart.

Awful quality
This book is not worth the paper, believe me! I don't know if it's because 'printed in China', but the photos are not comparable with other Ansel Adams books or calendars. Please don't mix it up with the hardcover version which is >100$.

Awful printing quality bad shadow detail, poor sharpness
Terrible printing quality of photos that are obscure because they're not that good. Whether the lack of sharpness in these is down to the paper, the printer, or the photographer (yes, even Ansel took crap at times, and people seem determined to publish everything he ever did, however bad!), I don't know, but the lack of sharpness and the awful shadow detail make this book an absolute waste of time. Maybe it will impress a non-photographer (simply so they can boast having a book of Adams's shots) - but a photographer is wasting their money. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Just one question!
Having spent some ten years in Libya,I found this to be an enjoyable, and very readable book on a most significant, though generally overlooked area of Greco-Roman antiquity. There is still a vast amount of excavation needed, and politics have not helped. There is one point on which I should take issue, however: The author refers to the city of 'Lepcis' in Tripolitania. Either she knows of an alternative spelling, or this is a serious typo. To my knowledge, she is referring to the city of Leptis Magna.

Fascinating topic marred by poor photos
The Roman ruins of Libya have been seen by very few Westerners in recent decades. They are in a remarkable state of preservation. The enormous basilica of Septimus Severus at Leptis Magna, while a ruin, looks like it could easily be put back together to it's former glory. The excellent state of preservation is due both to the desert climate and to the near complete absence of tourism. Eric Newby writing in "On the Shores of the Mediterranean" describes the difficulties he went through in arranging a visit under the Quadaffi government. This book was produced by Italian archaeologists who remarkably have been able to continue their field work during Libya's current international isolation. The book is marred by the poor reproduction of the photos. The pictures are almost all underexposed with muddy shadow areas, flat highlights and an overall lack of contrast. A pity but the book is still worthwhile for a look at sites that most people will never be able to see.

Roman Civilizations-Buried by Sand
This book is magnificent.The first 180 pages are devoted to the western province of Tripolitania, where ruins of the Roman cities of Sabratha, Oea(present-day Tripoli),and Leptis Magna are located along the North African coastline in the Gulf of Sirte. The next 50-odd pages cover the eastern province of Cyrenaica toward Egypt where the Greco-Roman cities of Cyrene, Apollonia, and Ptolemais are found.

The photographs of these cities are without a doubt some of the finest in existence.Heretofore,I have only seen random scenes of these ancient cities, but nothing organized in a book like this.

Unless one has been to Lybia,as I have,it is difficult to imagine the splendor of these ruins.Greco-Roman ruins in Europe pale in comparison.A primary reason for their preservation is the dry climate,and their burial for 1000 years by the shifting sands of the Sahara from the 9th century A.D. Excavations began in the early 20th century.

The Italian authors are experts in archeological research of the Roman era,specifically in North Africa where they have conducted many missions. Their knowledge of the rise and fall of these wealthy,elegant,and powerful cities and their importance to Rome is well presented in the text throughout the book. The writers describe what life must have been like in these cities,and provide accurate maps and reconstructions of their original dimensions where still buried by sand.

For anyone interested in the period of history when these cities flourished-7th century B.C. to about the 4th century A.D.-this book is a must. If you don't like to read-just look at the pictures.

Good-looking picture book on Roman ruins
This is a beautiful book showing some of the extensive Roman ruins left in North Africa. Highly recommended for enthusiasts and browsers.

The book is pretty large, and the pictures are clear and give you a good sense of the urban spaces pictured. ... Read more

Book Description

One of the most awesome natural wonders on earth, the Grand Canyon has for generations challenged artists to capture it myriad moods and unveil its many faces. Here, in stunning color, are the best efforts of some of the nation's most creative contemporary photographers to do just that--in every light and every season. Here are slender spires and giant buttresses of rock, rising from the abyss to tell their story of the ages. Here is the tempestuous Colorado River, filling the canyon with its timeless song. And here are the hardy people, flora, and fauna that live and play in the depths and on the rims of this celebrated chasm. Augmenting the photos are the eloquent observations of some of the canyon's most ardent admirers. In these pages, you will come to know the canyon in all its grandeur--and you will never cease to be inspired by the experience. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Here are depicted the towering canyon walls
Through an informative text enhanced by a wealth of 130 beautiful, breathtaking, color photographs, Grand Canyon On My Mind reveals one of the most awesome natural wonders on earth -- the Grand Canyon, carved out over eons of time by the wild Colorado River. Here are depicted the towering canyon walls, the superb sunsets, the river, and the total grandeur of the canyon in all its aspects by some of the Grand Canyon's most ardent and articulate admirers. Grand Canyon On My Mind is a very highly recommended addition to any and all community library collections and would make an ideal "Memorial Fund" acquisition selection. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Beautiful and Charming
This is a Wonderful book! The pictures are very beautiful, vivid!
And the verses are lovely...I am just thrilled to have bought a copy. Our Public Library even ordered a copy after having looked through mine. Outstanding!! Truly.

A Photo Collection Of Great Interest
I lived in London for two years a decade ago and so had the opportunity to travel extensively through the stunning countryside of England and Scotland. I never made it to Ireland however and so purchased Irish Blessings in order to have a good look at what I missed. TOO MUCH!

This collection of photographs was taken from a number of different sources. It is a lovely, well-assembled collection indeed and many of the plates are of a very high quality. All are of interest.

The book is broken up into three distinct parts with the first concentrating on the land itself. The second part, "...Home And Hearth," includes numerous shots of both the interior of Irish dwellings and photographs of a diverse sampling of buildings, often in sumptuous settings. The final segment of Irish Blessings is devoted to means of travel about the country which includes photographs of boats by the sea, rivers, roads through the countryside, and the odd bicycle or two propped up against a wooden covered bridge or a village pub waiting to provide simple transport to their owners.

There are not many people represented in the collection but photographs of animals that are integral to Irish country life are ubiquitous . One photo of a dog lazily resting upon the back of a horse is devine. And a picture of a cow atop a wondrous stone wall abutting the sea offers a unique, special image.

The photographs in this portfolio are matched with Irish verse and song. That is a nice idea but I only wish that a bit of text which conveyed something about the locations depicted had been included as well. As it stands, there is no way to know where in Ireland each photograph was taken unless one was very familiar with the country beforehand. A small problem perhaps, in an offering of great beauty and spirit.

A Beautiful Coffee Table Book...
I guess I'm partial to Irish things, but I think this is a beautiful book. Pages are split between pictures...landscapes, buildings, homes, and text... Irish blessings (May the road rise to meet you...etc.) and Irish poets. Not a book to read staight through, but a great display book for you and guests to thumb through during idle moments. ... Read more

Book Description

A must for everyone with a Passion for the Southwest!

Have you ever wanted to see with your own eyes all the beautiful locations found in coffee table books, posters and travel magazines?
Do you want to see the most photogenic spots in our national parks and monuments?
Do you want to visit spectacular "off the beaten track" locations outside the parks?
Are you are interested in rock art and early Native American dwellings?

Photographing the Southwest is the result of over twenty years of experience in exploring and photographing the natural landmarks of the Southwest. This guide has all the information you need to make your trip richer and more rewarding.- Volume 1 covers Southern Utah & Southwestern Colorado
- 270+ pages of great information for everyone; no need to be a photographer
- Hundreds of locations, including the best spots and how to get there
- All the major national parks, monuments and state parks
- Clear and precise indications provided for hard-to-find sites
- Lots of travel tips not usually found in traditional guidebooks
- Where, when and how to get the best shots
- Valuable tips on composition, exposure and hard-to-shoot scenery
- 170+ high-quality B&W photographs
- companion CD-ROM "Images of the Southwest-Vol. 1" to pre-visualize the sites

The photography as well as the reproduction quality of the B&W images make these new guidebooks very unique. Eleven photographers, all pros and advanced amateurs, contributed their talent to illustrate the sites. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Don't go there without it.
-
Are you going to red rock country? Do you want to get good photos? Buy this book! Simple as that.

I just got back from a trip during which I had only a couple of days in the Needles area of Canyonlands National Park, so didn't have time to scout and re-visit the many attractions. Thanks to "Photographing the Southwest", I knew right where to go, and what time of day to be there, in order to photograph a number of the highlights of the area. I also showed the book to several photographers who were very familiar with the territory, and they were impressed with the information, the detail, and the extent of the coverage.

My conclusion: Laurent Martrés' guides are essential equipment for any photographer wanting to capture great images of the natural landmarks and fantastic geological formations of the U.S. Southwest.

Simply The Best
I have never written a review of any book that I liked. However,I recently purchased and used Laurent Martres' "Photographing The Southwest" volume 1, and I found it to be simply the best photo guide book I have ever used. In fact, This guide book would also be ideal for non-photo purposes like touring and exploring this enchanting area. There are many locations, suggestions, and details that were not included in any of the other area guides I used. Martres' love of this wonderful part of the world is evident in the plentiful images that grace the pages. However, what really sets it apart is the fact that he has spent years in the area, and has come to know it intimately.If he suggests a particular route or location, you can be sure that he has been there. The access information and detail is indespensable. If you are planning on visiting the Southwest, you owe it to yourself to take Laurent Martres' book along to increase your enjoyment.

Go with a camera in one hand and this book in the other
Martres's two books on photographing the Southwest are remarkably useful, sensible, and affordable. He keeps his directions--both geographic and photographic--brief, relevant, and precise. Even if you don't take a camera, these books can help you reach remarkable places of which may never or only vaguely have heard of. I even enjoy just "armchair travelling" with these books.

Where in the World is Laurent?
As others have said, this is a great book, both for photographers and visitors interested in "off the beaten path" advice. Laurent really helped me to find some of the most beautiful parts of this country, particularly in the escalente area, bryce, zion, and avoid some of the more crowded and touristy places. Wether you take pictures with an SLR, disposable, or just with your eyes, you can benefit from his advice on where to start your day, and which directions to travel for the best light.
One morning, when Kathy and I woke before dawn and headed to the back of the zion museum to photograph The Towers of the Virgin at sunrise, one of the many, many tips in this book. Practially in the dark, a man walked up to me and asked "do you want me to sign your book?". Took a few minutes before I realized it was Laurent! Very nice guy -- we talked for quite a while and enjoyed the magnificent sunrise refected on the cliffs. Of the two other, more serious photographers there at dawn, one of them had his book also!
Consider it a blessing if you can spend from a few days, like me, or weeks and weeks following the magnificent paths through the southwest that Laurant suggests. And don't miss his wonderful photography at the gallery in escalante...

BTW, early october is PERFECT time to see Utah. Great weather, and much less crowded. And if you make it to Boulder, Utah, do yourself a great favor and stay at the Boulder Mountain Lodge. It's a gem we accidently found, tucked away in a garden.

A Great Travel Guide
A truly great travel guide. I've been to Utah 4 or 5 times and have read many guides to the area. This guide had many new places for us to visit. Last fall we went back to Utah and visited many of the smaller places he recommended. I was very satisfied with his directions to the hard to find places and his ratings of the places were very good. His picture taking suggestions were also very helpfull. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

The past is reborn!
Being a Rajput whose father is from the Jaipur dynasty, I was very impressed with this book. Like the latest book (please refer to "Maharaj's Jewels"), I found this book very ornate with beautiful pictures and rich historical details. The book is full of facts and intersting tidbits a reader will find facinating. Like all table top books, this one will add integrity to one's collection...

excellent work
keep it up we must talk as i am a landscape photographer from india but in dubai uae we could work something together pl email me and see my books elements

Best Images on Jaipur
Jaipur: The Last Destination which was among the six books chosen by Christie's first catalog of art books under its Islamic/Oriental/Indian Section and recommended for its "stunning images." Published by St. Martin's Press in North America and I.B.Taurus in Europe, the book also received a national award from the Indian government, and has become a landmark in Indian art book publishing by having four reprints. ... Read more

Book Description

Now more than ever, vacationing Americans are choosing to stay right here in the U.S., to look inward at our own rich national heritage. Thus, there has never been a more appropriate time for this sweeping, gorgeously photographed look at rural America's most enchanting houses of worship. "The country church tells us who we are. In doing so, it provides a sense of security, especially in times of crisis," says Pulitzer Prize nominee William Morgan in his introduction.

The outcome of an inspired two-year cross-country road journey of writer and photographer, American Country Churches touches the heart of America-and many of its religious denominations-as it presents 250 moving, all-new color images of more than 40 of our nation's most uplifting, soul-soothing spaces. The introductory text places the churches within the greater context of American history, while short essays on each church highlight its particular role in the story of its region, architects, and worshippers. As this glorious volume proves, no matter which state one calls home, there are always nearby places to go to find solace. AUTHOR BIO: William Morgan has taught at Princeton University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Louisville. His articles have appeared in numerous publications, and he is the author of The Abrams Guide to American House Styles. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island. Radek Kurzaj is a travel and architecture photographer based in Sczecin, Poland, and New York City. His books include Abrams' Living Large in Small Spaces, Colonial Houses: The Historic Homes of Williamsburg, and The Abrams Guide to American House Styles. ... Read more

Book Description

The natural synergy between photography and travel is explored in these exquisite, lavishly illustrated, and instructive pages that demonstrate how artful camera use can record the true spirit of a place.

On this thrilling worldwide tour, the author shows traveling nonprofessional photographers how to bring home memorable pictures of people, festivals, wildlife, architecture-even aerial and underwater shots. Directions are detailed for composing landscapes with a variety of lenses, working in both natural and artificial light. Valuable tips tell how to pack and carry photo equipment, deal with airport and hotel security, and prepare for various locations and weather conditions. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

The Ultimate Travel Photography Book
As one who has written numerous Book Reviews for photo magazines, I have read all the books on travel photography. This one stands head-and-shoulders above the others.

It is the definitive work on this topic by a top pro who makes travel images that are intimate, sensitive to the culture, informed and well-executed: capturing the spirit of the location instead of replicating the postcard views.

Highly recommended for photographers of all levels - particularly those who want to make images as a traveler and not merely as a tourist.

Excellent resource and tool for travel photographers
Spirit of Place, The Art of the Traveling Photographer, is outstanding, full of superb photos accompanied by captions that not only say where the image was taken but also include pertinent details regarding the moment and/or circumstances involved. The text is clear and easily understood, with lots of tips, plus glimpses into Krist's personal philosophy on photography. Travelers, writers, and novice-to-experienced photographers seeking to improve their photo skills will find the book to be a tremendous tool. Krist's distinguished photo career, including publication of his worldwide travel photos in books, major newspapers and the top travel magazines, gives unquestionable credibility to his expertise.

Truly captures what it means to be a travel photographer
I love travel and I love cameras. Unfortunately, as many of us often discover, my photos don't always capture the essence of my travel experience. I know I've been frustrated many times that some quixotic quality of my travels is missing from my photo album.

Bob Krist's book has helped me to see that what I am missing is the spirit of place, which of course is different for every location and every traveler. While the book covers the basics of equipment management, shooting decisions and the like, it is less a technical guide and more of a philosophy of travel. His approach to travel informs his approach to travel photography. He seeks to be a "traveler," not a "sightseer," wanting to engage with the culture in which he finds himself. I find this concept to be especially helpful in pinpointing my own disappointment with my photos. While I follow his approach of being a traveler, I have hesitated to capture the people I meet along the way. It's that element I always feel I am missing in my work.

He gives some tips and insight into how to begin to approach people to get those great people shots, how to get past the initial fear of offending, and how to handle a situation where you might be refused.

Above all, the examples and photoessays speak volumes about how to approach such work. It is clear that Bob Krist is a master in his approach to capturing the essence of a place, whether it be the Jazz Quarter in New Orleans or a blinding snowstorm in Hokkaido. If you are looking for ideas and inspiration to improve the photos you bring back from your next adventure, I'd highly recommend Spirit of Place.

(Gwyn is an enthusiastic photographer who, among other things, travels overseas each summer with teenagers as a People to People delegation leader. Yes, teenagers!)

Very thorough and concise perfect for the novice
This book more than adequately covers what a beginning travel photographer or a novice photographer interested in travel photography should know. Concise and to the point it focuses on exactly what it set out to do - make the photographer become a traveller with respect and love of his surroundings, strange they might initially be and not the boorish tourist! The book is in no way misleading as other books of this nature can be. Great as a stand alone or with Susan B Mcartney's Book

The only travel photography book you will ever need...
This is one of those rare books in which every facet of travel photography is covered. It is written in a very personable style, as if he were talking to you. He first goes over how he prepares to shoot a location and then continues to give you his insight in how to cover each aspect of the shoot. Finally he has a section on photographic gear and films.
The video version of the book (same name, I believe by Nikon) is excellent. As a matter of fact I bought the book after seeing the video. ... Read more

Book Description

Australia is a vigorous young nation astride an ancient continent. This vast, parched land - the flattest and driest continent - is revealed here in 200 splendid color photographs, including panoramic gatefolds by some of the most distinguished photographers working in the country today. State by state, the images here capture the Great Barrier Reef, the biggest coral reef on the planet; the massive glowing monoliths of the Red Centre in the Northern Territory; the snowcapped peaks and frozen lakes in the rain-soaked wilderness of Tasmania; the lush green plains of the Great Divide; and the scorched stone, sandy deserts, and crystalline white salt lakes of the interior. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Can't wait to travel down under...
Very complete overview of Australia, which is not realy a country, but an entire continent, with various climates and landscapes. Phillip Mathews has done a great job describing the history, the people and nature of this country, and the accompanying photos are excellent. Some of the fold-out panoramas are nearly three feet wide, and vividly sharp. The book also includes a large number of areal shots, which give an unusual view of some of the remote areas, which are still impenetrable for the regular visitor.

Going through the book, you're realy tempted to jump on a plane to this great country down under... ... Read more

Book Description

Richard Misrach has spent much of his career photographing the intersection of man and nature. He has redefined contemporary landscape photography with images of the splendor and destruction of the American West. Each of his "cantos" considers another chapter in the epic story of humankind and the land. Golden Gate offers yet another dimension to Misrach's artistic output. Three years ago, he and his family moved into a house in the Berkeley Hills of Northern California. Since then, Misrach has been obsessively photographing the magisterial view of the Golden Gate Bridge from his front porch, each photograph taken from the exact same viewpoint at different times of day. The sixty photographs reproduced here, from a series of over seven hundred, capture the opening between bay and ocean, and the famous bridge, in every light and weather condition. But Misrach's Golden Gate photographs also offer a commentary on the politics of the view -- the relationship of wealth, power, and privilege at the beginning of the twenty-first century. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Amazing photos of an amazing bridge.
I've lived in Marin County for about two years and still get excited going over the Golden Gate Bridge. I was thrilled to receive this book for Christmas and am in awe over the pictures. It's incredible to see photos of the varying weather patterns we get in the bay area and Misrach's time-lapse photos are incredible. What's even more amazing is that Misrach is lucky enough to have this phenominal view from his front porch!

Porch Photography
What a disappointment, and what amateur uninteresting photos from the author's porch in the Oakland Hills (I presume). All you need is a wide angle lens, a tripod and some 35mm film. Take a picture every week or so, vary the time of day and then publish a book. Ca ching! He must be a layed-off dot.commer.

Being born, raised and schooled in San Francisco, I feel cheated. Hopefully no tourists will see it. They may stay home.

Beautiful, but not for everyone
I live on the ocean south of San Francisco(and I'm into photography), so I appreciate the ever-changing weather
and light in this wild region. I was fascinated by this book of
photos the author took from his front porch, especially
since I have taken photos of the sunset and weather formations
from my porch during the same time frame ('97-'00). Having
said that, I wouldn't recommend this for everyone. It's the
exact same view over and over, so if you live outside the Bay Area you'd be better off with a book showcasing a larger portion of the region. This tome is for fanatics of the Golden Gate,
and Bay Area photography.

Did very little for me
This book did very little for me. More than being a study of the Golden Gate, it's a study of weather formations. If you enjoy looking at clouds, the sun and sky you may enjoy this book. I on the other hand found it sterile, repetive and somewhat pointless. Further, it's all too easy to simply set up a camera, never move it and just press the shutter release periodically. Where's the artistry in that? There's no question that Misrach had a nice view from his front porch, but does it really merit a book?

The jacket text is corny and pretentious.

Magnificent!! Can I give it 10 stars??
This is one of the most magnificent photography books I have ever seen (and I have quite a collection of them). Misrach took photos of the Golden Gate Bridge from his front porch for more than a year, and here are the best of those photos--though I would have liked to have seen all 3 thousand or so! Each one is more spectacular than the last! Here is the Golden Gate in fog, at sunrise, at sunset, at high noon, and every time of day and night (some are time-exposures) and in every weather condition possible. I grew up in the SF area and have always loved the bridge, etc, but here it is shown in ways you would NEVER see (unless you sat on Mr. Misrach's front porch for maybe 3 years....) I whole-heartedly disagree with the reviewer who said these are not bold photos. I have never seen photos more bold! And each one is so different from the next! Truly an amazing collection. ... Read more

Book Description

The natives call it simply "the City."This is the story of the changing face of San Francisco, and how it has become one of the most picturesque cities in the world.Seventy modern color photographs are compared side-by-side with seventy archival photographs from the 1850s to the 1950s.While focusing on famous vistas and familiar landmarks, it also explores well-known neighborhoods.The Then and Now series includes: New York, Washington, Boston, and San Francisco. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Yenne for the past
Bill Yenne's photographic essay about the similarities and differences between San Francisco's past and present is one of several "past and present" photographic themes published by Thunder Bay Press involving a number of prominent American cities.

But a pictorial retrospective and current-day snapshot (this book was actually published in 1998) of The City is particularly interesting, not only in light of San Francisco's unique history in the annals of this country, but also in light of how San Franciscans today see themselves in relation to the rest of the country.

I would have liked to have seen included a picture of old Seals Stadium, which adorned the corners of 16th and Bryant Streets in Portrero Hill for so many years as home to the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League (and as home to the Giants in 1958 and 1959). But a "now" picture of the Safeway Shopping Center and Old Navy outlet that are on that corner now might have appeared too drab or too forlorn by comparison.

Otherwise, Yenne's color photographs of the present are quite beautiful, but equally impressive are the black-and-white photographs of the past taken by largely unknown photographers. A remarkable amount of detail is preserved in those old grainy-black-and-whites.

Yenne gives us a few briefly-worded captions for the purpose of pointing out some specific similarity or difference between two or more photos in a given set, but as a good human camera should, he wisely refrains from any further comment.

Included in this essay is an "old" view (circa 1935) looking east from the top of Nob Hill between Sacramento and California Streets. The Russ Building, San Francisco's tallest skyscraper (31 stories or about 400 feet high) is visible in this shot, but also clearly visible is the San Francisco Bay, including the suspension cables on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, now in the middle of construction.

When Yenne shoots his contemporary photo from the same angle, the Russ Building is now dwarfed by a number of newer structures, including the 853-foot Transamerica Pyramid and the 779-foot black granite Bank of America headquarters, and the bay is hardly visible at all. Other skyscrapers have joined the collage, and now, incredibly enough, no portion of the Bay Bridge can be seen.

Moreover, in other old pictures facing the same direction, the waterfront is, as Yenne says, "alive with tugs, ferries, and other vessels". But in contemporary photos, "the waterfront (is) now much quieter".

There are still, thank heavens, some fishing boats in Fisherman's Wharf in which commercial fisherman seek their catch with the same dogged patience that the DiMaggio family did almost 100 years ago. Moreover, Alioto's, Fisherman's Grotto, and Tarantino's restaurants adjoin the wharf in both the black-and-white "then" and the color "now" photos. But otherwise, the tugs, ferries and other vessels, sailing toward or away from the various piers have been largely replaced by pleasure craft. Gentrification anyone?

The photos also tell a story of the disappearance of most of the cable car traffic that once traversed the City, and of course, everyone knows that the remaining cable car lines are kept only for the benefit of the tourists. The City's haughtiness towards outsiders doesn't entail an aversion toward tourist dollars, after all.

But no self-respecting chablis-drinking San Franciscan would be caught dead in one of those contraptions today. The late Herb Caen or whoever has since replaced Caen as the dean of Bay Area boorishness would laugh out of town any San Francisco native uncool enough to ride one of those things.

It's hard to imagine San Francisco's "in" crowd today enjoying anything as bourgeois and middle-American as an amusement park either, but Yenne is able to locate some old photos of a Coney Island-like amusement park called Playland-At-The-Beach that once adorned Fulton and Balboa Streets during a less pretentious San Francisco era.

Maybe time, population growth, economic growth, and recovery from two major earthquakes made some change inevitable. But the old and new photographs largely tell a story of a city striving maniacally to grow faster than anyone else, often at the expense of much of the beauty and charm that it once possessed. A city whose denizens claim to be unlike anywhere else ultimately aped New York City and other metropolitan areas in the frenzy of its development and in much of its resulting physical appearance. Does San Francisco's arrogant provincialism mask a latent inferiority complex?

Maybe the most illustrative set of "then and now" photos are the two views looking west from California and Kearney Streets. In 1880, next to Old St. Mary's Cathedral on the north side of the street is a combination apartment complex/restaurant called the California House, and Yenne explains that it was one of the City's favorite eateries, noted for "fresh oysters in every style".

Old St. Mary's still rests on the north side of California Street in Yenne's contemporary color photograph, but upon the site of the California House now rests the 33-story Hartford Insurance Building.

St. Francis wept.

See for your self
When visiting S.F., one couldn't help wonder about the history of this "young city". When walking the Embarcadero, reading all the "history stands", you wish you could go back in time and see what it was really like. I did just that, when i bougth this book. It made it possible to visit some of the buildings that still exists and visit places that once was.
If you want to make your visit more interesting, you should buy this book prior to your actually visit.
The photographs is excellent and the accompanying notes helps you to imagine was it was like to live in S.F. then and to realize what it has become.

A must for the city traveller

nice book
What makes this book special for me is the "now" photographs. The book's editor/photographer has made a sincere attempt to reshoot the photos, physically, from as nearly as possible from the original, without changing the photographic perspective. This allows the books' reader to view and compare the photos and know that streets, buildings, and other landmarks give an accurate view of how the city looked at a certain time. Accurate directions and locations listed in both historical and contemporary photos greatly enchances the value and arm chair travelers' enjoyment of the book. Buy a map of the city if you're not familiar with it.

Wonderful look Back and Forward
This book offers an excellent photographic perspective of San Francisco's past and present. Photos from the 1850's even up to the early 1960s (in the case of Diamond Heights) are shown along with photos of what a particular area of SF looks like today. While this book is a testament to how much the city has grown and changed over the last 150 years, it also shows how resilient it was after the earthquake and fire in 1906 that virtually leveled it.

It also makes the reader ponder a little about what life must have been like in San Francisco around the turn of the 20th century. Among the areas shown? The Marina district, Pacific Heights, Market St and the ferry building, several panoramas of the city, the Golden Gate bridge (during contruction and how it appears today), and Nob Hill.

Not only are the photos spectacular, but it also offers some history about "the city by the bay" and how some parts of it have changed dramatically and others might still be recognizable to those who visited 50 years ago. An excellent pictorial coffee table book about the city I'm lucky enough to live near.

Great Gift For SF Lovers
Great History Picture Book for all Ages. Just enough reading to keep little ones interested. The pictures are bold and beautiful. I bought one for myself. Great gift for someone who loves San Francisco. ... Read more

Book Description

A look at the history of Philadelphia, with both modern and historic photography and captions describing the development of this famous city. Part of the highly successful "Then and Now" series, this book captures the changes in this historic city. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Philadelphia Then and Now
I sat down on a Sunday morning to casually glance through what I thought was just another coffee table photography book. Several hours later, thoroughly relaxed and enlightened, I closed Philadelphia Then and Now, having deliberately devoured every word, every image, every comparison-both visual and written, cover to cover. What fun it was to go back and forth. The effort taken to capture identical images was evident page after page. The attention to obscure and amusing snippets of historical detail tied the "then" black and white photos and the "now" colorful photos together perfectly.

Treat yourself to a Sunday morning journey to Philadelphia-Then and Now.

Great Memories and Fascinating Pictures
This is a really unique collection of photos from the last 150 years in Center City Philadelphia with recent photos taken at the same location. Would make a great gift for someone with Philadelphia ties.

It was interesting to see how things have changed - in many places for the better. Center City towards the Ben Franklin Parkway was a dirty grimy place at the turn of the century. The Parkway was a stroke of genius. The Art Museum used to be a water holding area. ... Read more

Book Description

The first of it's kind, the lavishly illustrated and remarkably comprehensive, Where'd You Get Those?, is an insider's account that traces New York City sneaker culture back to its earliest days. Describing how a small and dedicated group of sneaker consumers in the 70s and early 80s proved instrumental in establishing current corporate giants like Nike and Adidas, aficionado Bobbito Garcia writes with the exactitude and affection that only a true believer could bring. While chronicling the rise of sneakers through the lean years of the 60s, the bulk of the book examines sneakers released between the golden years of 1970-1987.Information-packed entries for each model include all of the color combinations available, nicknames of particular models, any relevant athlete endorsement, and (often hilarious) running commentary and stories from a rogues' gallery of fanatics who weigh in on the pros and cons of each sneaker. Via ancillary lifestyle chapters like "Arts and Crafts,"(which details the elaborate process of customizing sneakers ) and "The Sock Hop" (which introduces the unfortunates who had their shoes stolen off their feet, and the sneakers junkies who took them), Where'd You Get Those? examines sneaker culture from every angle. The tome even includes a chapter on New York City's playground basketball legends, the real progenitors of "urban marketing," whose athletic prowess inspired kids on the street to adopt their brands. And in a nod to more recent history, a chapter entitled "Future Undergound Classics" recognizes the models released post-1987 that maintain relevance within an increasingly soulless and money-driven industry. The best secret stores to purchase rare joints, the proper way to care for your kicks, the experts' list of the top ten sneakers of all time--it's all here. Everything you ever wanted to know about the production, distribution, and consumption of sneakers during the seminal years of sneaker culture in New York--the city that set the stage for the worldwide dominance of today's sneaker industry. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Ah, those were the days...
Reading this book is like travelling in a time machine with an expert guide by your side. Bobbito has done an incredible service to those of us who stepped through our New York childhood and adolescence in the 70s and 80s fixated on our sneakers, especially our basketball sneakers. My wife gave me this book for Christmas and I spent much of the day poring through it, absorbing the photos and reliving experiences I had in many of the sneakers Bobbito included in the book. She didn't understand it, but she appreciated my rapture. It was like seeing pictures of dream images--looking at things I never thought I'd see again, as if they had never existed, with memories of games played in particular sneakers, in particular leagues, in particular gyms and parks, with and against particular players in their particular sneakers, flooding back to me. It also brought back memories of the sneakers that I wanted--the Wilson Batas that my cousin had, the $100 red-on-white Indiana addidas Top Tens, the yellow-on-blue Nike Waffles--and the pain of not having them. If any of this sounds strange, or even pathetic, this book may not be for you, but it will thrill the sneakerholic in your life.

But the fun isn't just in the pictures--Bobbito has assembled a crew of not-so-famous commentators on sneaker and basketball culture in New York City. To his credit, Bobbito has arranged their funny, opinionated observations in a way that makes it seem like you're reading the transcript of a barbershop conversation. This "dialogue" makes up the bulk of the text and is as engaging as the photos.

Lastly, Bobbito's introductions to each section of the book are also valuable for their personal honesty and dead-on social observations. Where'd You Get Those? is no exercise in nostalgia. Instead, Bobbito strikes a perfect balance between testimony and critique, which makes the book a valuable piece of cultural history.

A Flat-Out Great Book!
Powerful stuff, if you grew up in/around NYC in the early '70s through the mid-'80s. You'll see all the old faves, beautifully categorized and depicted, with extraordinary and completely appropriate attention to detail. Note that this isn't just a picturebook or catalogue, but rather takes the form of an oral history where the participants are a panel of sneaker fiends from way back (propers to 3rd Bass!) The slang (e.g., grips, quiver, slept-on butters) is incredible and infectious, and prone to misuse by people like me. And the shoes? Can't get enough, from Walter Davis's unique Dr. J's to Sake's green half-shells. Message to Bobbito: I've got 3 pairs of Lendl Comp's on ice, tell your friend!

dsdfafdsa
this book is heat. best book on shoes of all time. it is like a dictionary for shoe lovers.

back in the day
Long before sneaker contracts were handed out to music stars like Jay Z, 50 Cent, and Nelly with the matched ferocity of those given to sports stars, and basketball shoes were more about function than giving you something cute to wear to your local Wal-Mart, you had New York City Sneaker Culture.
Bobbito Garcia, a Vibe Magazine contributing editor, street ball player and one of the world's most premier sneaker collectors, has chosen to document his obsession and love for one of the origins of the current sneaker phenomenon in his book, "Where'd You Get Those? New York Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987," by compiling testimonies, photographs, and stories on some of the most classic sneaker styles and brands of that era.
Along with the showcasing of timeless sneaker styles like the classic Converse All Star Chuck Taylor, to what Garcia calls "slept on butters" or classics that went unnoticed like the Adidas Achille, and rare gems (limited editions), like the Nike Airship, quotes from collectors such as Mc Serch, Pete Nice, and basketball legend Pee Wee Kirkland, liven up an already exciting book with first hand accounts on what it was to go on the hunt for, style and impress with the perfect shoe.

sneakers and new york city basketball
where'd you get those is the best sneaker book of all time capturing the essence and soul of basketball and sneakers in the 60s, 70s and 80s in new york city. anyone under 30 might not be able to understand bobbito's views or why sneakers are so important to life. this book shows how sneakers meant unbelievable status in the street and on the court, which is different from today. the uniqueness and passion that occurred during these years made sneaker fanatics hungry for that next fix. thats why every young and old hip hopper, basketball player or sneaker fanatic need this book. you will never put it down. ... Read more

Book Description

A look at the history of Miami, with stunning contemporary and historic photography and captions describing the development of this famous city. Part of the highly successful "Then and Now" series, this book looks at the changes in this exciting city. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Captiving Photo Book
If you have lived in Miami or have an affinity toward Miami, this is a must-have book. Few people in Miami like Arva Moore Parks have taken the time to document the City's rich history as the fastest-growing metropolis in the United States over the last 100 years. The "then and now" photos offer splendid matches, with interesting and informative historical notes in the caption. Great coffee-table book too!

Memories
I was born and reared in Miami, the fourth generation of my Pioneer South Florida family. I was delighted with this book, it brought back so many memories.

The old photographs are gems, and the descriptions well written and informative. I enjoyed the "then" pictures with the "now", in some instances they are almost unbelievable, the Coconut Grove Womens Club little Club House which I went to frequently is a good example, long may it survive!

Exquisite Photographs
Parks and Klepser do a wonderful job documenting the evolution and transformation of Miami and Miami Beach. A great book for illustrating Miami and Miami Beach's past history (for those people who believe there is little) and a wonderful guide to our present tropical metropolis. ... Read more

Book Description

This spectacular book invites the reader on a journey to a faraway exotic land-and into one's own heart and soul. The beauty of the majestic Himalayan countryside, of the Tibetan people-spiritual masters and humble shepherds alike-and of their sacred places all inspire a desire to look within, in search of an understanding of the essence of Buddhism and the Himalayan spirit.

Contributions by eminent specialists on Tibetan culture-from the noted photographer Galen Rowell to the Dalai Lama himself-illuminate the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. Glorious photographs of the Himalayas combine with the text to form a harmonious mosaic of this uniquely spiritual mountaintop civilization. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Deeply Beautiful
The photos in this book are simply extraordinary. The composition of each shot is lyrically beautiful. The images of great masters are radiant and inspiring. The quality of the reproductions is wonderful and unusual (I think) in a book at this price. Anyone with a love of
Tibetan Buddhism should surely have this book. (By the way, I bought this in a bookstore and paid about twenty dollars more)

The Most Exquisite Photography Book!
This book has the most beautiful photographs of the Himalayas that I've ever seen. The photographers captured the essence of this region in perfect, minute detail. Interspersed between the photos are articles written by prominent buddhist lamas and scholars, including HH the Dalai Lama. It demands its own book stand and place for display in your home. The book is very large. The photos are borderless and some span both pages. This is truly something to have to pass down in your family. For lovers of Buddhist thought and for those who just appreciate great photography. ...