Good Breeding [Hardcover]

Yann Arthus-Bertrand (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

Good Breeding is the first book to celebrate the majesty of highly bred livestock -- cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and pigs -- and the bond between these magnificent animals and the humans who raise them.

In these 240 full-color photographs taken at agricultural fairs in France, England, and Argentina -- the renowned photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand captures the extraordinary quality of these impressive creatures and demonstrates the intense connection between humans and animals.

Useful information about livestock breeding and each of the breeds pictured makes this book a guaranteed blue-ribbon winner.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a curiously appealing blend of art with kitsch...high drama tinged with comedy." -- New York Times Book Review

From the Publisher

Good Breeding is the first book to celebrate the majesty of highly bred livestock-cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and pigs-and the bond be tween these magnificent animals and the humans who raise them. In these 240 full-color photographs-taken at agricultural fairs in France, England, and Argentina-the renowned photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand captures the extraordinary quality of these impressive creatures and demonstrates the intense connection between humans and animals. Useful information about livestock breeding and each of the breeds pictured makes this book a guaranteed blue-ribbon winner. 240 photographs in full color, 19 x 11" Yann Arthus-Bertrand's photographs have been featured in National Geographic, Life, Geo, and Paris Match. He lives in France. Claude Michelet is a French writer and former cattle breeder.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810941325
• ISBN-13: 978-0810941328
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 10.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,271,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the world famous photographer, is renowned for his aerial photography. His bestseller include The Earth from the Air, which has sold over a million copies. He lives on France.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous photographs of magnificent animals!, December 14, 1999

By 

Nate Vorwaller (Erda, Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good Breeding (Hardcover)

Arthus-Bertrand displays the most amazing photographs of breeding quality livestock that I have ever seen. Anyone who appreciates animal husbandry, agronomy, or farm animals in general will love this book. The photographs of bulls are exceptional!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I never tire of looking at this book, April 15, 2006

By 

R. Paterson (Hertfordshire, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Good Breeding (Hardcover)

I'm not from a rural background, nor do I have any experience of animal husbandry, nor do I even have much interest in photography, but when I first saw this book in a store it simply drew me in.
Inside you will find page after page of superbly composed, full-colour photographs of various livestock breeds pictured with owners, owners' children or handlers from all over Europe, even some from as far away as Argentina. On some pages you will see soft-haired, placid sheep, on others tall and elegant horses, plump pigs whose faces almost seem to show amusement, graceful, homely-looking cows, on some occasions even goats or donkeys. Yet my personal favourites are the pictures of prize bulls. These handsome creatures seem to exude power, yet starkly defy their fearsome reputation as they stand patiently with their handlers, some of whom are just tiny children.
Yann Arthus-Bertrand's photographic juxtapositions of animal and master are often endearing, sometimes humourous, but crucially they are never, however often you happen to glance at them, dull. This book is not just a portfolio. Look through it and it will warm your heart.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling book of portraits -- animals and their keepers., September 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Good Breeding (Hardcover)

This is the only photography book I've ever purchased, simply because I couldn't put it down in the bookstore. Since buying the book, I've passed it around to several friends -- some who are familiar with livestock -- and some who are not. Makes no difference. It's impossible to look at this book without going through the whole thing, page by beautiful page. The animals look strangely like their owners (or is it the other way around?). Each portrait is stark and simple, drawing your eye to the relationship between animal and handler. Buy this book. You won't regret it. Outstanding gift!