China [Hardcover]

Yann Layma (Author), Jose Freches (Author), Anne Loussouarn (Author), Zao Wou-ki (Author), Jean Leclerc du Sablon (Author), Dai Sijie (Author), Jack Hawkes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2003

The photographer Yann Layma has spent nine years in China and his reportage of this vast country includes town and country, tradition and modernity, and every aspect of public and private life. The pictures are complemented by essays from a group of highly-regarded writers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Yann Layma has been a freelance photographer for more than 20 years. His work appears regularly in some of the world's foremost magazines, including Paris Match, GEO, and the Sunday Times. Anne Loussouarn is a writer who collaborates with Layma on the story of his life and work in China. Catherine Zittoun is a writer, poet, and theater producer. Writer and director. Zao Wou-ki is a Paris-based Chinese artist. José Frèches is the former curator and specialist of Chinese art at the Musée Guimet and the Louvre in Paris. Jean Leclerc du Sablon was a correspondent for Le Figaro and L'Express in China for 30 years. Dai Sijie is the author of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, which he adapted to the screen and directed.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 424 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; First edition (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810946696
• ISBN-13: 978-0810946699
• Product Dimensions: 14.7 x 11.6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece!!, February 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: China (Hardcover)

This is clearly a labor of love. Most of the photos are printed centerfold style across both pages and bled to the edge. Each of these photos deserves to be displayed this way. The captions are in a separate section at the back of the book. This forces you study the photo without surrendering to the superficial urge to have someone explain what you're looking at. The subtle detail, the awesome colors, light and shading, the absolutely incredible eye of this photographer are truly amazing. The text is as descriptive, informative and creative as the photos. I've sat for hours at a time with this book and look forward to studying it for many hours more. This book is giving me a whole new perspective for first trip to China this summer. For anyone who wants to glimpse the heart of China this is a "must have".

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars take a look, December 19, 2003

By 

"typeflow" (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: China (Hardcover)

for me purchasing this book of photos was a gamble. i did not get a chance to flip through the various pages before taking it home with me. and for the first time i came out a winner. this hercules sized book holds various themes. for those who lived in china or been there, would find nostalgia as you turn the crisp pages. for those who never been to china, looking through this book would be a vacation all its own. the author not only tackles the traditional scenes but also the present. as describes above this book was a compilation of 20+ years of a journey throughout china. enjoy!

the only frown was the order of the captions. i felt that it should of been put in the order in which the picture was taken. other than that, it's great.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular photography, December 17, 2003

By 

S. H. Lam "Harvey Lam" (San Mateo, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: China (Hardcover)

This is physically a huge book, very big and very heavy. It is a collection of spectacular photographs of China, plus some very interesting and informative writings. I saw it first in a friend's house, and thought it must cost a fortune. The price quoted in Amazon is amazing low.
After lugging it around my living room, I only wish there is a DVD version so that I can look at all the photos on my big computer screen and set up a folder of my own favorites.