Customer Reviews

Beyond the End of the World

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Peter Beards latest book is short on words and long on interesting pictures. It is the most varied in subject content that I've seen in his work. Some of the wildlife scenes are without equal. The only detraction is that it is short on narration. If I could have one wish, I would really like to have him sitting beside me and telling me about each picture. I guess another complaint would be that the book is much too short, I want more. I have two of his other works (Eyelids of Morning, and End of the Game) which are longer and thus more satisfying to an avid reader. Some of this book can be seen in the others. A perspective buyer would also be advised to get more biographical information on Peter Beard to understand the background of work.

Beautiful, brutal and inspiring. Each time I open it I find it more touching. It is one of the best gifts to give to someone who appreciates nature, Africa or photography. Peter Beard is a collector of memories and his journals are pieces of art.
As a child, I was impressed by Peter Beard's creativity and sense of adventure. As an adult, I appreciate that he has chosen to share his experiences through his books. He's a man who lives an extraordinary life! His photographs and journals are a must-see if you can catch them in a gallery, however, this book is the next best thing.

If you love Africa, her people and the wildlife, you will enjoy this book by Peter Beard. I first came across his very first published book 'The End of the Game'in 1965 featuring a fascinating look at East Africa's endless game animals and some of the colorful characters who hunted them. He recorded an Africa that is long gone. Subsequently his other works came out - 'Longing for Darkness', 'Eyelids of the Morning''Fifty Years of Portraits' and this title 'Beyond the end of the World' and I was fortunate to have some of them autographed. As always, Beard's photographs and diaries are a delight to read.

Mr. Beard seems loaded with all the right ingredients: curiosity, empathy, compassion, passion, drive plus blessed with an artistic eye all housed inside the form of a handsome athelete who has the resources and connections to make a difference in any cause he chooses to promote. His fascination with and respect for africa (decades before the dark continent became fashionable to take a deeper look at and "save"), ancient african tribal life, protecting and fighting for endangered animals,photographing sultry,statuesque fashion models and partying with influential socialites makes for a unique lifestyle...all celebrated in his spectacular photographs that enlighten, shock and amuse.He followed his adventurous dreams and ended up living a life more fantastic than anything hollywood could have imagined.He has successfully intersected the worlds of high art, high fashion, high society and humanitarianism on his terms to serve his needs.

Reproductions of his legendary journals are my favorite part of the book. Mr.Beard's powerful daily journals are physically huge, overwhelmingly organic, almost living, objects that have been spontaneously, randomly, obsessively created with his photographs, magazine and newspaper scraps, notes, drawings, doodles, comments, collaged with multi-dimensional found treasures and debris (including blood) from his daily experiences more than qualify as important works of intense, raw, fine art...exposing the guts and soul of one very lucky man who made the most of all that he was given.