Seashells [Hardcover]

Josie Iselin (Author), Sandy Carlson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2007

Artist Josie Iselin celebrates the diversity and beauty of nature with her exquisite portraits of seashells. Like her extremely popular Beach Stones and Leaves & Pods, Seashells is not a field guide but an artful and informative portrayal of a beloved part of our natural world. The book balances the exotic with the familiar, from tropical corals and rare fossils to everyday clamshells and barnacles. In her introduction and captions, marine geologist and paleontologist Sandy Carlson introduces the reader to seashells in all their variety, explaining why they look as they do. Both an art book and a contemplation of nature, Seashells combines aesthetic delight in natural things with scientific fact and philosophical wonder.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Josie Iselin is the author of Abrams’ popular Beach Stones and Leaves & Pods. She lives in San Francisco.

Sandy Carlson is a paleontologist at the University of California, Davis. She lives in San Francisco.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; Hardcover edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780810993273
• ISBN-13: 978-0810993273
• ASIN: 0810993279
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.8 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Marine Life
  • #25 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Photo Essays
  • #29 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Nature & Wildlife

More About the Author

Josie Iselin is a photographer who has foregone the tradition of the camera; she uses her flatbed scanner exclusively to generate her stunning imagery. Iselin has created six books on forms in nature, each more luscious in detail than the next. Beach Stones was the first, published in 2006 by Abrams, followed by Leaves & Pods and Seashells. A tiny book of Heart Stones came out for Valentine's Day, 2008. In Spring 2010, Beach: A Book of Treasure was published by Chronicle Books. As both writer and photographer, Iselin pushes deeper into what we find at the beach, both scientifically, personally and historically. The collaged imagery is spectacular, the text is lyrical and informative. The mix of science and artistry makes all these books provocative for both the visual explorer--those wanting to know more about the natural artifacts we find around us--and those concerned with where our planet is heading. Her sixth book, Sea Glass Hearts is a luscious gem of a book to match Heart Stones. Released in February 2012, it is full of sea glass imagery, with hearts to find on every page. The book is also a love song for the beach, a poem describing that moment when we find our hearts desire at the waters edge. Josie has designed a series of stunning 12" x12" wall calendars using the Sea Glass Hearts material. Josie is hard at work on a new book bringing to light the beauty of seaweed.

Josie Iselin lives on a steep hill in San Francisco with her husband and three kids.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Photographs of Shells July 15, 2007

By Timothy Kearney VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I was recently on vacation at a seacoast resort and every bookstore and gift shop in the area had a small book, almost a mini coffee table book, entitled SEASHELLS. The book contains both photographs and text regarding shells. Customers picked up the book, leafed through the pages and were amazed. The amazement was a reaction to the stunning photography of Jodie Iselin. The shells are arranged in a variety of settings from natural to artful and we see the grandeur and beauty of these objects that we often take for granted. The text is somewhat perfunctory, explaining the type of shell and where it can be found, but it serves more as an aid to the photographs rather than giving specific scientific information about the shells.

It's a perfect gift for anyone who loves shells, and judging from what appeared to be brisk sales, many people purchased it either as a gift for someone else or themselves, but when I purchased it, it was not as a gift. I am an amateur photographer, and I love photographing shells. It's not as easy as it looks. The shells often have rich textures which makes can make them difficult to photograph, or at least difficult to get sharp photos. For me, the book is more inspiration than anything else and while it may be a long time if ever that my photos will be even close to those in the book, it gives me something to work toward and ideas of how to arrange shells, and I'm sure come Christmas, I'll find it will be a gift idea too.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful book February 10, 2008

By Mr. Peter J. Gillett

Format:Hardcover

I needed to find a well-illustrated book on Seashells for an overseas friend. I know nothing about seashells, so I was a bit apprehensive how my first purchase with Amazon would turn out.

I need not have worried. The book was delivered within 48 hours and I was able to read it myself, before it went to Thailand with me. I was delighted with the book.

The recipient, a government Marine Biologist was thrilled.

I thoroughly recommend this book to anybody and everybody.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Seashells March 2, 2008

By T. Malone

Format:Hardcover

Great photography and interesting text that is easy to read. Anyone who loves seashells will love this book. I'm so glad I got it. Well worth the price.