Africa (French, Japanese, German and English Edition) [Hardcover]

Leni Riefenstahl (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2006

"If Leni Riefenstahl had done nothing but visit Africa and bring back her photographs, her place in history would be secure." -Kevin Brownlow, from the introduction When she was in her early sixties, Leni Riefenstahl began traveling frequently to the African continent, where she has worked on various film and photography projects over the last half century. Her favorite destination was in Sudan, where she lived with and photographed the Nuba tribespeople, learning their language and becoming their friend. The Nuba were a loving and peaceful people who welcomed Riefenstahl as one of their own. Her images of the Nuba, as well as of the Dinka, Shilluk, Masai, and other tribes, are gathered in this monumental book. Riefenstahl remembers her experiences in Africa as the happiest moments in her life. Her beautiful, skilled photographs represent a landmark in the extraordinary career of the 20th century's most unforgettable artistic pioneer. * Interview by Kevin Brownlow * Extensive bibliography and biography section

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If Leni Riefenstahl had done nothing but visit Africa and bring back her photographs, her place in history would be secure." -Kevin Brownlow, from the introduction"

About the Author

The editor: Angelika Taschen studied art history and German literature in Heidelberg, gaining her doctorate in 1986. Working for TASCHEN since 1987, she has published numerous titles on the themes of architecture, photography, design, and contemporary art.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 559 pages
• Publisher: Taschen; 25th edition (April 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822847917
• ISBN-13: 978-3822847916
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 8.4 x 2.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,271,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A STUNNING PHOTO JOURNAL OF AFRICA, November 16, 2005

By 

J.P. (SF Bay Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Africa (French, Japanese, German and English Edition) (Hardcover)

Leni Riefenstahl's book Africa is simply a huge compilation, a massive photo journal; page after page after page of full sized photographs depicting both the people / their culture and the land of Africa. (Other than the photos, the book is quite spare of words, chapter titles, that's it.) Riefenstahl's work is very strong but not particularly arty or glossy. True to her filmmaker's voice however, every picture tells a story. (*An important side note, it's ALL photographs. There is very little text to critique.)

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves similar photography as what you would see in National Geographic or Angela Fisher's books such as Africa Adorned and African Cermonies.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful people in a beautiful book, March 15, 2006

By 

B. Toti "jordan" (Budapest, Hungary) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Africa (French, Japanese, German and English Edition) (Hardcover)

When I first saw this book the first thing that came into my mind was that I need it badly. I was simply astonished by the amazing pictures Leni Riefenstahl composed. If someone wants to see the beginning of our civilization and feel it up, close and personal, then this book is a must. Other than having a picture about how man survives in harmony with Mother Nature, one can see how beautiful the human body is in itself.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb, February 20, 2010

By 

Ana Zinger (Brazil) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Africa (French, Japanese, German and English Edition) (Hardcover)

The pictures are an extraordinary record of an Africa that does not exist anymore. They are absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking.

" Leni Riefenstahl had travelled from the 20th century to the Stone Age. She had seen people living in perfect harmony with nature. And she had seen what the 'plague of civilization' could do to them. One great benefit of civilization, however,is the photograph, that frozen moment of time"- Kevin Brownlow