Nominated through on-line votes and selected by Life editors, the 100 images in this compendium cover unforgettable moments in "The Arts," "Society," "War & Peace" and "Science &... read more

Nominated through on-line votes and selected by Life editors, the 100 images in this compendium cover unforgettable moments in "The Arts," "Society," "War & Peace" and "Science & Nature." The photographs are all striking-whether visually or viscerally, artistically or emotionally-but many are difficult to look at. As Gordon Parks writes in his introduction, "these images helped push us toward a change." And so it's possible to revisit the moments when a white crowd in Indiana cheered at the hanging bodies of two black men, when grieving members of AIDS activist David Kirby gathered around his deathbed, when the 1937 bombing of Shanghai left a train station destroyed and a single bloody child alone amidst the wreckage. There are a few lighter moments-the Beatles arriving at JFK in 1964, the American Olympic hockey team celebrating their 1980 landmark victory over the "Soviet machine"-but over all, this gathering of photos shows our darker hours. There's little here that hasn't been reprinted numerous times, but it's a stirring collection nevertheless.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. (hide)

If David Muench's photographs of U.S. parks and monuments fail to take your breath away, you may want to check your pulse. If they fail to inspire you... read more

If David Muench's photographs of U.S. parks and monuments fail to take your breath away, you may want to check your pulse. If they fail to inspire you to visit Canyonlands, Acadia, Big Bend, or the Great Smoky Mountains, you have something to answer for. Muench has inspired a whole generation of landscape photographers with his images, which border on the mystical; he in turn takes his inspiration from the "primal beauty" of these treasures, which are places of worship to him. Muench makes it evident in an afterword that he is not a verbal communicator; perhaps that is to our advantage, for it forces him to express himself with the camera. (hide)

Since the 10.5 million images in National Geographic's possession won't fit in a book, the 250 in this moderately glossy, minimally costly collection will do nicely. Through the... read more

Since the 10.5 million images in National Geographic's possession won't fit in a book, the 250 in this moderately glossy, minimally costly collection will do nicely. Through the Lens is a stunning collection of photos judiciously apportioned to represent the regions of the earth, the sea, and outer space; humans and nature; and even the history of the medium--a few historic black and whites contrast dramatically with the eye-popping modern color shots that dominate the book. As ever, the esthetic key to their impact is the use of big, emotional pictures with witty little captions, and whenever possible, startling juxtapositions. A Boston matron's faux-fur coat looks just like her pet Dalmatian (the caption identifies them as "spots fans"). The world's widest street (in Buenos Aires) by night looks great next to a grassy highway overpass for grizzly bears in Alberta. The famous green-eyed Afghan refugee poses in a purple burkha with her 1985 National Geographic cover. A Moscow shopper tries on a snowsuit, oblivious to the huge face in the ad on the wall behind him, whose nose he obscures and smile he bisects. A fuzzy shot of a 1907 inventor testing a multiwinged "Katydid" flying machine contrasts with a crisp 1974 shot of Skylab soaring far above fluffy clouds. Often, what's striking is the juxtaposition of ideas. An Arctic wolf making an impossible leap between ice floes arcs in midair, only its reflection hitting the frigid water. A 1935 Model T "surfs" a steep dune in White Sands, New Mexico. Chorus lines of stuffed cane-toad corpses with surreally clothespinned snouts perform on a taxidermist's shelf. Newborns are lined up like bread loaves in Shanghai. A woman in a white chador sits in the Tripoli airport, the white lines of fluorescent ceiling bulbs radiating behind her head like a saint's halo. This isn't the fanciest photo book of the season, but it certainly is a good deal. -Tim Appelo (hide)

"One of the funniest and most likeable books around."-- Atlantic Monthly"If there is any justice, All Creatures Great And Small will become a classic of its kind...With seemingly... read more

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The latest, and by far the most ambitious, in the A Day in the Life seriesthat the enterprising team of Smolan and Cohen have put together in recent... read more

The latest, and by far the most ambitious, in the A Day in the Life seriesthat the enterprising team of Smolan and Cohen have put together in recent years is at once extremely substantial and unexpectedly light. In weight and size it is a hefty blockbuster; but the more than 250 pictures, mostly in color, generally avoid the kind of heavy-breathing grandiosity and flowery patriotism the titleand the timesmight indicate. The formula, as spelled out in Smolan's letter to the hundreds of participating photographers from all around the world, is simple: on one dayin this case last May 2they fan out all over the country and shoot what takes their fancy. The more than a quarter-million shots that result are then edited down to the final book. There is little structure, other than that the book begins at dawn and ends late at night. The captions vary in length and cogency, and there is a longish self-congratulatory section at the end of the book about the many skills needed to bring it off. But it is the pictures themselves that count, and they are for the most part impressive. There is a welcome emphasis on people at work rather than on scenery, and a minimum of gimmickry and obviously set-up shots; it is good, too, to see handsome black-and-white images in a book of this scope. It is easy to imagine this having the same kind of success The Family of Man had 30 years ago. 315,000 first printing; first serial to Newsweek; BOMC alternate; author tour.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. (hide)

With some of the world's best wildlife viewing, most intriguing tribes and striking scenery, Kenya will take your breath away. Let this guide lead you on the trip... read more

With some of the world's best wildlife viewing, most intriguing tribes and striking scenery, Kenya will take your breath away. Let this guide lead you on the trip of a lifetime.

• Spotting the wild and furry: 16-page colour wildlife guide
• The last word on politics, history and culture, including a Swahili language chapter
• Camel, balloon, trek or 4WD? An invaluable chapter devoted to safaris will help you choose
• Camp under the stars or lap up the luxury - all the accommodation options you could hope for
• Over 60 detailed maps, including a colour country map

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Above Yosemite. "What John Muir would have given to see Yosemite from above!" exclaims Harold Gilliam in his book-length test to this photographic tone-poem. Indeed, not even mountain... read more

Above Yosemite. "What John Muir would have given to see Yosemite from above!" exclaims Harold Gilliam in his book-length test to this photographic tone-poem. Indeed, not even mountain climbers or hang-glider pilots can view a fraction of this most treasured National Park. Teddy Roosevelt call it America's mightiest beauty, and the Sierra Club was born to watch over it. This handsome volume is an enduring record of nature's masterpiece, the finest sculpture of Ice Age. (hide)

Of these "random jottings," PW said, "Fulghum does not express uncommon thoughts here: his thoughts are those we all wish were true." The book's tone is set by... read more

Of these "random jottings," PW said, "Fulghum does not express uncommon thoughts here: his thoughts are those we all wish were true." The book's tone is set by the title piece in which the author sets out his banal credos, ranging from "share everything" to "hold hands and stick together."
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. (hide)

LIFEcaptures all the drama passion and excitement of the world's greatest adventures across centuriescollected in one stunning volume! Now, for the first time, in one lavishly illustrated heirloom... read more

LIFEcaptures all the drama passion and excitement of the world's greatest adventures across centuriescollected in one stunning volume! Now, for the first time, in one lavishly illustrated heirloom volume, the editors of LIFEhave captured the riveting drama and endless fascination of the greatest adventures the world has ever seen. (hide)

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to... read more

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

If the magical islands of French Polynesia are on your itinerary, here is the perfect traveling companion. Its 29 maps highlight 4WD vehicle tracks, walking routes, and dive sites. The guide features a thorough history section, food section, accommodations for any budget, and useful Tahitian and French language sections. This book also includes all the archipelagos: the Societies, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Australs, and Gambiers--with extensive information in inter-island travel. The authors have personally tested all of the dive sites. --Kathryn True (hide)