Customer Reviews

Faces of Africa

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book is a stunning display of the many facets of African tribal life and customs. The typography, while certainly aesthetic, is sometimes bordering on the unreadable by the use of coloured text on a black background.
I was disappointed, however, that the book virtually fell apart after having had it for barely 1/2 hour. The pages simply came away from the spine! I have had it repaired at a local bookbinders for very little cost but this shouldn't happen with a book of that quality and price. Those complaints aside though, it's a pleasure to own this book!

Trevor Pickles

What a delight for the eyes this book is! I found myself drawn deeper and deeper into each photograph. The accompanying text is beautifully crafted and I almost want to commit each entry to memory. When I visited Africa, I instantly fell in love with its people, its landscapes and the authenticity of life on this breathtaking continent. This book allows me to marvel at, and to cherish, the traditions and rituals which frame the lives of the African people.

This is one of my favorite illustration of Africa; jovial, moving, colorful and passionate, the best introduction to the many tribes and cultures of the African continent. The ceremonies of the Surma tribe in Ethiopia and the Samburu tribe in Kenya are beautiful and rich photographic testimony of African culture. Everyone should own this illustrative account of Africa.

When ordering this book, make sure to check the dimensions or ISBN, or you may inadvertently order a smaller edition. The fact that there are two different ones is not noted anywhere that I can see. I'm not sure why one would want such gorgeous photos in such a limitingly small size - perhaps to fit pygmy coffee tables? In any case:

The larger edition is 9 x 8.9 x 1.1"
ISBN-10: 079226830X
ISBN-13: 978-0792268307

The smaller edition is 6.6 x 6.1 x 1.2"
ISBN-10: 1426204248
ISBN-13: 978-1426204241
Faces of Africa: Thirty Years of Photography (National Geographic Collectors Series)

That said - I've been a fan of Beckwith and Fisher's work for a long time. This volume is a beauty, and I do wish all their previous works were still in print to go along with it.

The photographs were stunning, the quality of materials...not so much. I bought the book new and after looking at it two or three times the binding fell apart completely and I threw it away.
Perhaps I got a dud, but the book didn't stand up to any use at all.

A visual treasure. This book is one of the most stunning and beautiful I have ever seen. The production is of the highest quality. Beckwith and Fisher have again brought the excitement and pulse of their amazing work to the page in order that readers may immmerse themselves in a world many only dream of. The photography is breathtaking. The text illuminating. Anything these women produce will have a welcome place in my library. This book will be enjoyed for many generations to come. My young grandsons love it. The photographs bring to life a world we may never experience and, sadly, one that may disappear in time. I find something new every time I pick it up to peruse. The Beckwith and Fisher eye for detail is, in a word, unparalleled.

What a beautiful book, the photographs are exquisite and colorful. The information in the book is sufficient as not to overwhelm the beauty of the photographs.

Highly disappointed that upon opening this book for the first time that the pages detached from the spine. It was going to be a gift but obviously won't work for my intended purpose.

I purchased this book to supplement my middle school geography lessons. The photos are stunning and beautifully convey the diversity of tribal life in Africa, both the picturesque and the controversial. While I would expect to see some nudity in a book about tribal life, I found that some images were too graphic for me to use the book with my middle schoolers. In addition to the fairly typical photos of fully nude warriors dancing and bare chested women going about their work, there were also photos of possessed voodoo practitioners and photos related to male and female circumcision. In one photo a just-circumcised young man stands next to a companion who awaits his turn. These images are extremely powerful and give an in-depth picture of tribal life, especially rituals, but they are too powerful for middle schoolers.

It is worth stating that the "Faces of Africa" displayed are predominantly tribal, and do not represent a cross section of contemporary Africa, which one might be led to believe. While we westerners are captivated by and can idealize tribal life, I would recommend providing context and a disclaimer when showing such books to students, who could draw inaccurate conclusions.

About the binding, I did buy the book USED, but in the condition of "very good." The cover was loosely attached when I received the book, and by the time I finished flipping through it the first time, the cover had completely separated. (I am returning the book for this reason.) Even though I bought the book used, judging that the rest of the book was in excellent condition and did not show signs of abuse, I would agree with the others who state that the binding is poorly done.

if you love traveling and photography ..this is one of the books you should get.

it has lots of amazing images of different tribes which is really amazing.

This book is a must have for all African Americans. Its shows the beauty of being black and beautiful. The colors are vibrant as well as the culture. Its make me want to go and see this beauty for myself!