Snow Monkeys [Paperback]

Mitsuaki Iwago (Author), Hideko Iwago (Author)

Book Description

Of all the memorable images from the Nagano Winter Olympics, few are as endearing as those of the snow monkeys frolicking on the hillsides and winning hearts the world over. Now wildlife photographer Mitsuaki Iwago has turned his eye to these enchanting primates. Pink-faced with shaggy gray fur, snow monkeys are among nature's most curious creatures, but until now have not received thorough photographic attention. Considered national treasures in Japan, they live in the snowy mountain forests and love to play. Snow Monkeys begins with a series of astounding photographs of the monkeys cavorting with snowballs, climbing trees, and happily roughhousing. They also love to make a splash in Japan's many natural hot springs. (So much so, that once when Iwago was enjoying a dip, one of the monkeys joined him!) Snow Monkeys provides a rare glimpse of these amusing and marvelously photogenic creatures.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mitsuaki Iwago is the Tokyo-based author/photographer of Serengeti: Natural Order on the African Plain (Chronicle Books). His work has also appeared in numerous magazines, among them, National Geographic and Life .

Hideko Iwago has written two previous books. Married to Iwago since 1975, she accompanied him on his 18-month working sojourn in the Serengeti. The Iwagos live in Japan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811822184
• ISBN-13: 978-0811822183
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #476,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Primatology
  • #72 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Apes & Monkeys

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These monkey will touch your heart & make you laugh, August 22, 1999

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Snow Monkeys (Paperback)

This book tells the story of a year in the life of a troop of Japanese snow monkeys, as they cope with the seasons and raise their families. The often humorous and sometimes touching images will steal your heart away.

The adorable monkeys dance in the snow & bask in the sun. They climb & swing from trees. They chew leaves & joyfully play with snowballs. They splash in the water & meticulously groom each other.

The young cuddle in their mother's arms & suckle at a their breast. Their almost human-like expressions and actions are captivating. You feel like you are in personal contact with the monkeys as you flip the color photo packed pages.

As a bonus, pictures of a wide array of Japanese monkeys as well as information on their distribution, diet, & social life are located in the back This book is a great way to get a close-up look at the snow monkeys & experience their lives.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent photographic account of snow monkeys., December 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Snow Monkeys (Paperback)

As a photographic journal of the Japanese snow monkeys, this book is first rate. The photographs are stunning and cover every aspect of the snow monkey's fascinating communal life. If you are looking for a more scholarly work with scientific details, then this book won't fit that bill. However, having been to the monkey reserve in Nagano, Japan, I can say that the photographs capture the monkeys' daily life in a vivid, unforgettable way. There is a brief narrative text that helps bind the themes of the photographs together, but the photographs truly speak for themselves. The authors should be commended for their liberal use of these beautiful color photographs.

5.0 out of 5 stars Animal magic, January 11, 2010

By 

Jocelyn Schimke (Lawrence KS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Snow Monkeys (Paperback)

This collection of photos brings me into the monkey's world. There are peaceful, playful, and contemplative monkeys. Monkeys in the hot baths show that we humans are not alone in our appreciation of physical pleasures. The most intimate monkey pictures I've ever seen.