Customer Reviews

Earth from Above: 365 Days

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This unusual book lets you select your worldview by looking either to the left or to the right. The images on the left-hand pages are shockingly beautiful views of the surface of the earth from about 100 feet above. Images are often more abstract and graphic than one would expect. The right side pages are only text, often telling the stories of poverty, overpopulation and environmental contamination. Both are legitimate views of the same place. For me, and I expect for many readers, the message is clear: address the issues presented in the text or loose the beautiful world of the photographs.

The photographic and printing quality are unusual good for a book of this limited price. The format is fairly small, but large enough to enjoy. Unfortunately the binding is on the short edge of this 2 plus inch thick book, making handling difficult and possibly leading to early binding failure.

I have given this book as a gift a number of times and it has been well received.

I originally saw Yann Arthus-Bertrand's work in the May 2002 issue of "Reporters without Borders". It contained 79 of his photos (approx 8 1/2 X 11 with great print quality and paper I might add - what a deal for ...). I then immediately looked to see if he had released any of his work in a book.

This book is absolutley breathtaking! I haven't even gotten half way through this book yet, but feel that I have a new appreciation for the earth. He accompanies each photo with a description. Unfortunately Mr. Jensen doesn't read too well, otherwise he would have noticed that the author makes statements about the harmful things that ALL COUNTRIES are doing to the planet, nor did he realize the fact that most of the photos are outside of the U.S.! This is a shame!

Everyone should have a copy of this book, if not for the stunning photography, for the lessons we can all learn by seeing the terrible destruction we are doing to our planet! This book is a must! I have given this book as a gift several times and everyone has loved it!

I'd flicked through this in the bookshop and resisted shelling out so much money on just one book, but my wife bought it for my birthday.

Stunning photography, one can imagine that some of the scenes were especially staged for the shot (obviously not!), and some of the shots are so bizarre that one has to double-take to make sure one is seeing right.
The author's eye for beauty and form can even find it in rubbish, pollution and slums, very often it is the angle of the light which transforms the picture from an ordinary shot, into something startling, as in the evening view of Haghia Sofia in Istanbul, with the rest of the city in shadow - just awesome!

The text is opposite the photo - so you are not constantly having to refer to an appendix - with an apposite quote to help you appreciate the beauty (or not) of the composition.

Highly recommended.

Earth From Above contains 365 spectacular photographs ... one for each day of the year. And 365 social/political musings.

The photographs are truly grand. From Everest, to the Pasadena Freeway, to vineyards in Luxembourg ... Every photo is striking in its own way. Although some photos represent more traditional views (Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro), most provide dazzling, unique aerial perspectives.

The text often describes the subject of the photo, but not always. The words accompanying the photo of marathon runners crossing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge describe nothing about New York, or the bridge, or even marathons in general. On many of the pages I felt lectured-at by the author ... even when I agreed with the sentiment. Nevertheless, I recommend Earth From Above - 365 Days, for its amazing visual impact.

Here are some photographs of particular interest (and the month each appears):

* Color: Flight of scarlet ibis (Nov); Cotton fabric drying in India (Jan); The milky blue La Leona River in Argentina (June); Fall forest color in Quebec (Aug)

* Shapes & Patterns: Orchard amid the wheat in Greece (Feb), Field of retired B-52 bombers (June); Fluvial erosion near Mount Pinatubo (July); Caravans of dromedaries (Jan); Tractor field near Bozeman (Mar); Seaweed in the Gulf of Morbihan (Dec)

* Power of Nature: Eruption on Réunion Island (May); Philippine village buried under mud (Mar); Earthquake destruction on the coast of Turkey (Jan)

* Thought-provoking Images: Abandoned town near Chernobyl (Dec); Genbaku Dome in Hiroshima (Oct); Deforestation in Amazonia (Feb); American cemetery in France (Nov)

Oh, and check Feb 21, April 30 and July 1 if you like pink flamingos. (For me, one day was enough.)

Although Earth From Above is an excellent gift choice, be careful about giving an arts & photography book with such an overt, political point of view ... without advance warning. Some of the opinions expressed - and they are OPINIONS - are simply unsupportable.

The binding is strong for a paperback, but weak for a hardback, and may be subject to failure with repeated use. Use it, enjoy it, wear it out, buy another copy and frame your favorites from your first purchase.

I came across this book at a little shop in town, and my friend and I ooohed and ahhhed over it for the better part of an hour. As two travellers, we drooled over the amazingly brilliant colors and the designs that have been created on the surface of the Earth. Each picture has a little informational paragraph telling you where the photo was taken that was so enticing we have a whole new list of places to visit, all because of this book. It's number one on my wish list this year!

I LOVED this book. I am not a profession photographer in any way, but I am intriged by the art. I happened to stumble across this book and it has opened up my mind to the reality of the world, which is extactly what the book aims to do. After looking through this book, identifying each date with a birthday or event and then seeing all that is out there, I suddenly felt enourmously less self-concerned. It's a perfect coffee-table book to spike some intrest. I recomend this to anyone who wants to really see the world around them. Open your mind... you might find something there...

If you can't stand the window seat on an airplane, here's a book that will show you what you are missing. A lovely gift for artists, nature-lovers or travelers.

"Earth From Above" is without a doubt one of the most compelling and conversational coffee table books I've ever found. Really, everyone who visits my home loves to browse through this colorful and spectacularly photographed book and many of them have asked where they can buy themselves a copy.

The photo commentaries are brief, informative and very interesting as well. It's a fascinating and highly unique tour of the world. The spectacular cover photo of Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is a great indicator of all the beautiful photography within. It is likewise interesting to experience some rarely seen and exotic countries of the world such as Namibia, for example. Highly recommended...you can't go wrong!

I seldom buy books on impulse. This volume? I saw it and bought it. Use all the superlatives here. Not that the photography is spectacular which it is, not that the subjects are perfectly framed which they are and not that the colors are strikingly vibrant which as you will see is true. But even if all these things were not true this book transports me to hundreds of places I want to go. They are pictures of places I dream of all over the world. And let me tell you a story. My dad is in the hospital with little chance of recovery [82 and has had a good life] I know he has always wanted to travel but because of life circumstances he has not. In this book there are 365 pictures of all the places he's always wanted to go. I held each one up to him as he lay in his hospital room and he wept with the dreams that never happened. I love this book and have bought two more since as gifts. Simply the best and I never buy picture books.

Extraoordinary collection of unique photographs. Book is the visual representation of Earth, its unique natural and artificial (urban architecture)environment. The photographs are the unique shots from all over the World, taken with highest quality of professionalism, test, art and the luck. I never seen so big collection of unique photographs in one book! Thanks to all team of authors for tremendous job!