A Grain of Sand: Nature's Secret Wonder [Hardcover]

Dr. Gary Greenberg (Author), Stacy Keach (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2008

"To see a world in a grain of sand, And a heaven in a wild flower. To hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour."
William Blake, "Auguries of Innocence" 1805

Here is the world viewed within a grain of sand, thanks to the stunning three-dimensional microphotography of Dr. Gary Greenberg. To some, all sand looks alike--countless grains in a vast expanse of beach. Look closer--much closer--and your view of sand will never be the same. Employing the fantastic microphotographic techniques that he developed, Greenberg invites readers to discover the strange and wonderful world that each grain of sand contains.

Here are the sands of Hawaii and Tahiti, the Sahara and the Poles, a volcano, each exquisitely different, and each telling a fascinating geological story. Red sand and yellow, white sand and black, singing sand and quicksand: Greenbergs pictures reveal the subtle differences in their colors, textures, sizes, and shapes. And as this infinitesimal world unfolds so does an intriguing explanation of how each grain of sand begins and forms and finds itself in a particular place, one of a billion and one of a kind.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Shutterbug, October 2008

Sand, it’s everywhere and may seem ordinary but Dr. Gary Greenberg expertly combined art and science to reveal the true beauty of each microscopic grain. 

Sand consists of a vast collection of bits of crystals, coral, shells, sea urchin spines, silica, and calcium carbonate each with a unique shape and color. 

Dr. Greenberg provided 235 vividly colored images and in depth information to provide a fascinating look at how nature is constantly reshaping the earth and

hiding tiny treasures at our feet.

Book Description

To some, all sand looks alike--countless grains in a vast expanse of beach. Look closer--much closer--Gary Greenberg suggests, and your view of sand will never be the same. Employing the fantastic microphotographic techniques that he developed, Greenberg invites readers to discover the strange and wonderful world that each grain of sand contains. Sand from the world over: Greenberg’s pictures reveal the subtle differences in their colors, textures, sizes, and shapes. And as this infinitesimal world unfolds so does an intriguing explanation of how each grain of sand begins and forms and finds itself in a particular place, one of a billion and one of a kind.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press; 1st edition (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760331987
• ISBN-13: 978-0760331989
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Rocks & Minerals
  • #8 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Nature & Wildlife
  • #8 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing Micro-Photographs of Sand, June 13, 2008

By 

Kate Klee (St. Paul, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Grain of Sand: Nature's Secret Wonder (Hardcover)

What a beautiful and interesting book. Dr. Gary Greenberg's stunning micro-photography shows the infinite beauty of biological and mineral sand grains found in sands from around the world. Some photographs show collections of grains, other showcase the exquisite beauty of a single crystal found in sand magnified 200 times, other photographs show artistic arrangements of sand-grained sized sea urchin spines, sponge spicules, and tiny shells.

The book and its photographs tell stories of bountiful and diverse reef environments, glacially eroded grains, the durability and beauty of garnet grains, or the polishing effects of the relentless surf on grains. Looking at the micro-photographs and reading the text opens up a whole new understanding and appreciation of sand.

And personally as a sand collector, I've known how sands vary around the world, but Greenberg's book and his stunning micro-photography really raised my appreciation of the biological and geological stories sand can tell in addition to the showcasing the beauty in minute grains of sand. After seeing and reading this book, you will never walk on a beach without wondering about the history and story the sand grains can tell. A fascinating read with mesmerizing photographs.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunningly Beautiful Art Book with Intriguing Subject Matter, May 18, 2008

By 

jason greenberg "Dorje Bjork Macross" (Soquel, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Grain of Sand: Nature's Secret Wonder (Hardcover)

This is a stunningly beautiful art book with intriguing subject matter. The photography art in this book is absolutely gorgeous and then to think that each of these gorgeous works of art are actually grains of sand is just mind blowing. The author had invented and developed his own high powered light microscope to photograph different grains of sand from different beaches around the world and the result is incredible. Who knew that grains of sand were so unique and captivating? I would recommend this book to anyone and especially people who love Art, geology, nature, science, the ocean, life, the earth or photography. This also makes a perfect gift for just about anyone and any occasion. This has been a real crowd pleaser on my coffee table lately and all my friends want to look through it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning! You'll never take the beach for granted again..., June 17, 2008

By 

Stardazer (Greensboro, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Grain of Sand: Nature's Secret Wonder (Hardcover)

I bought this work for a Mother's Day gift, little realizing how much it would be heartily devoured by its recipient! Shortly thereafter, I was proudly shown some of its dozens and dozens of exquisite micropictographic images along with various insightful and informing passages being read aloud to me.

I was so captivated I had to spend quality time with a copy myself. Its colorful visual content overwhelms my imagination! The accompanying text is very informational in an intriguing and engaging way. I was so impressed that I used it as an adult Sunday School book discussion, even bringing out an old dusty microscope to view some sand samples we'd gathered from past trips to Maui and various Atlantic beaches. People were really buzzed.

A great read, especially for "beach" grazing. Think about projects that can be easily initiated like with summer camps, vacations (those "boring" mantras can be challenged), even Vacation Bible School activities. And, a coffee table book that won't break your pocketbook to boot!

"Grain of Sand" has so opened up my imagination with awe, wonder and respect. I'll never take for granted a walk on the beach again.