"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.
A Grain of Sand: Nature's Secret Wonder
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Book Description
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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.
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Customer Reviews
“ 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. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Kate Klee
Format: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.
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.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
By Stardazer
Format: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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
So-so
The newspaper review made it sound more interesting visually. Now it's a coffee-table book, collecting dust. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Ma Spoon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great photographs!
I’ve been a sand collector for 40 years. I got hooked when a student gave me a sample from Plum Island, MA (mostly garnet, hence the color). Read more
Published 8 days ago by John D. Burke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great photos!
This is a book that filled all of my expectations.
Having lived "at the shore", I was not aware of the beauty of the grains of sand, or their derivation.
Having lived "at the shore", I was not aware of the beauty of the grains of sand, or their derivation.
Published 12 days ago by Nancy H. Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book!
I'll never look at the sandy beach in the same way again!
Beautiful photography. Author obviously loves what he does.
Beautiful photography. Author obviously loves what he does.
Published 19 days ago by T. J. Holaday
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grains? Big Stones!
My wife bought it. She's an architect and loves beaultiful images. This book astonish. Each grain was caught like big stones. Macro Job.
Published 1 month ago by Marcos Ficarelli
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gave this as a gift....
Needed a unique gift to give a college geology student and this book was perfect. They loved it. It would make a great coffee table book too.
Published 1 month ago by Marc
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book in great condition
I will be using this book with some ornamental container filled with various layers of sand. Nice coffee table book.
Published 2 months ago by Reenie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful photography
I enjoyed the lovely microscophic photos of sand. I'll never take a walk on the beach again without marvelling about the surface upon which I tred.
Published 3 months ago by Ms Tex
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Grain of Sand: Nature's Secret Wonder
The photography is stunning & awesome! There are alot of facts & information in this book, therefore, it is the type of book to read a bit at a time.
Published 3 months ago by Jill Kroh
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting.
Very beautiful photos, but I spected more... Sometimes it is a little bit repetitive. It was a gift to a friend and he like it.
Published 4 months ago by Bibliófilo
