Customer Reviews

Our Peaceable Kingdom: The Photographs of John Drysdale

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This marvelous book is not your usual run-of-the-mill collection of cute animals -- instead, every picture has the same startling quality as that one on the book's cover of a young girl walking her pet alligator. There are horses reading, macaws sunning themselves in beachchairs, and donkeys with limousines and chaffeurs, along with all sorts of other animals, and some charming pictures of children in action. Drysdale is a gem of a photographer, and this book would make a really fine gift for any friend who loves animals.

Our Peacable Kingdom presents the photos of John Drysdale in an unusual volume which was destined for the slush pile before an editor rescued it, where it became a hit. Drysdale's black and white images of primarily children and animals provide warm and fun observations of life and ironies. A unique, recommended pick.

John Drysdale's delightful photographs will charm any age. Looking at "Excert 1" will give you an idea of his subject matter. In addition to the unusual photos of animals and children, there are fascinating stories, such as the cat who befriended a mouse with 2 photos of them together--one of them napping together and another of them sharing a saucer of milk. The photos and stories are precious and leaves one with a feeling that we do indeed have a "peaceable kingdom." A great gift for anyone who can see--animal lover or not.

This collection of photographer John Drysdale's extensive catalog emphasizes unexpected juxtapositions of animals and people or both. His almost understated images draw you in for more than a passing look, and you wonder how did he come upon some of these depictions. Are they posed, staged, or natural?

Ultimately, that does not matter, for the overall effect indeed suggests a peaceable kingdom, which, if not truly attainable, can still inspire and intrigue.

Mr. Drysdale takes his subjects seriously, even if the result seems almost comic, and there is a refreshing lack of pretension mixed with a dry wit throughout this collection.

This is book you will want to carry to the back porch on a lazy, rainy day or share with your children while dinner is in the oven. It's fun to hear how children react to some of the images that run counter to how we have conditioned to expect animals and people to behave.

Some of my favorite photos, however, are those of just people, timeless and frozen in yesteryear's pursuits.

This is a fun, entertaining book which would make a great gift for animal lovers. My only wish is that the description for each picture had been placed with the picture and not in the back of the bookl.

John Drysdale gives us a rare chance to experience joy, love, delight, laughter and even a sweet sorrow for the fleeting poignancy of his captured moments. His collection rises above the level of coffee-table footrest with moving photographs of children and beloved best friends. What makes these pictures unique is that each has its own story, tales which Drysdale shares at the end of his book, recounting how each unusual match of child and playmate came together. This beautiful book is a delight to anyone with a heart and soul!

Cannot put it down once you pick it up. The pictures are like real life eye candy.