March of the Penguins: Companion to the Major Motion Picture (Hardcover)

by Luc Jacquet (Author), Jerome Maison (Photographer), Donnali Fifield (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Moviegoers can relive the excitement of watching the emperor penguins' life cycle with this companion book to the second most popular documentary in American film history and the highest-grossing natural history film of all time. Actually, this fine book works as a stand-alone volume, thanks to its charming photographs and revealing text. As fans of the movie know, the emperor penguins have been trekking hundreds of miles from the sea to their breeding grounds in Antarctica every year for millennia. They do this against 150-mile-an-hour winds and in minus 70 degree temperatures, dodging predatory birds and other dangers, in an attempt to create a safe environment for their babies. Filmmaker Jacquet capably relays the wonder of this natural ritual, revealing, for instance, that each penguin has a distinct vocal pattern, and when one sings, nearby penguins remain quiet so that each penguin can be heard. A chapter on the making of the film, though too short, nicely illustrates the challenges of following 7,000 penguins across the frozen expanse of Antarctica. Jacquet admits that in such temperatures, "each gesture costs us, and we can appreciate how much the penguins have to endure." 150 photos. (Nov.)
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Product Description
This winning combination of vivid photographs and informative, inspiring text is the companion volume to the extraordinary surprise hit film deemed “Irresistible” by Entertainment Weekly. Timed perfectly for the holidays and the November release of the DVD!

Read the incredible, endearing story of the Emporer penguins’ yearly Antarctic odyssey and the long months of endurance, self-sacrifice and love as they raise a new generation of chicks.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic; illustrated edition edition (November 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792261828
• ISBN-13: 978-0792261827
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #523,401 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Visual Delight for all Penguin Lovers , November 29, 2005

By	Philip B. Capelle (huntington beach, ca USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you love penguins (who doesn't), you are going to go bananas over the gorgeous photos in this book. And you if you stop to consider that our heroic moviemakers/photo journalists spent a year in what they describe at the harshest winter climate on earth filming these amazing creatures for our pleasure, then you can see in a flash why this book easily warrants 5 stars.
The cover demonstrates the love between a penguin and its chick. This picture alone told me that this book must be rate a strong "buy." But is just gets better and better inside. The stars of this book are the photos of the penguins and those without these birds that showcase the beautiful and harsh icescape in which they live. You'll finds lots of close ups and panoramic shots as well.
The text is sparse (the pictures tell most of the story) but it is extremely informative. After the introduction the book takes you through a year in the life of the emperor penguin. The chapters:
1) Legend Has It
2) The March - You'll see hundreds of penguins marching in single file.
3) The Gathering - The penguins mass together against the cold for the winter.
4) The Courtship - Penguins use sound to find their mate. Lots of photos of cute couples.
5) The Egg - The penguins must endure much hardship in protecting this treasure.
6) The Birth - The best chapter of all. Cut little chicks and their parents.
7) The First Steps - The baby penguins strive for independence.
8) The Spring - Relief from the hard winter and dangerous crossings.
9) The Plunge - Penguins at play, jumping into the ocean and swimming.
10) Making the film. Awesome chapter. It shows the penguins and camera crew together. They come right up to the crew members!
At the beginning the author states that, "Anyone who really wants to understand this most human of birds must first love them." I already did, but all the more so after reading the text and gaping at the beautiful photos.
Two words of advice: you might need two copies. One to preserve as is, and another so you can cut out and mount your favorite photos. And see the movie (I can hardly wait.) Enjoy!

Philip Capelle

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars If you want to completely relive the movie..., January 3, 2006

By	J. Muench (NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you already saw the movie, loved it with every fiber of your being, and you want to relive it over and over again, then by all means get the book--it has absolutely stunning photography and those too-cute-for-words penguins.

I love penguins and love seeing great photography, but since I already saw the movie (a documentary), as well as watching the (somewhat inane) extras on the DVD, I don't really feel the need for the book. It is basically a picture book of the movie, with much of Morgan Freeman's narration as the text. There is no additional penguin information, just what you saw in the movie.

So your options are: If you thought the movie was good but you probably wouldn't watch it again, then you may want to find a different penguin book. If you liked the movie and want a nice coffee table book, then you will probably like this book. If you could not get enough of the movie, then this book is for you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Collector's book, October 15, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: March of the Penguins: Companion to the Major Motion Picture (Hardcover)

This is more of a collector's book than an informative book--what's in the movie is exactly in this book. However, there's an interesting section about making the film--the penguins were very curious about the camera! This has a beautiful cover and beautiful pictures. If you loved this film as much as I do, get it! The only problem is, some of the panoramic shots are grainy, and you have to hold the book out to see a smooth picture. I knocked a star of for that.