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I am pretty disappointed by this "accessible trade edition" as it is presented in the "Product Description." The limited edition was a series of 60 gatefolds. Being in the publishing business I understand how expensive that would be to produce--clearly prohibitive for a more standard trade edition book that is to sell at a more modest price. The limited edition was described on amazon as follows, "...at first glance the book appears to be a collection of empty pages. The experience of looking is akin to that of peeling away the leaf from a Polaroid--out of the blackness an image is revealed as if by magic...." It seems to me that Mr. Roversi and the publisher could have at least included one or more gatefolds in this trade edition to offer the viewer a taste of what the original limited edition is like (which is now only available on the secondary market and at vast cost). I think it fair to assume that this book was originally conceived of in its limited edition form. If so, then why not preserve that original creative thinking and integrity, even if only in small measure, and allow those of us who can only afford the "accessible trade edition" to experience it.

I continue to be a fan of Mr. Roversi's work but this book, specifically this edition of what was a considerably more interesting concept, does not serve him well. The images contained in this book are not among my favorite of Mr. Roversi's work (I consider the collections of images in Nudi and Una Donna to be stronger) but I cannot help but feel that they are enhanced by the gatefold presentation of the original edition. Once you take away the "magic" of their being revealed out of the blackness as you peel away the fronts of the gatefolds, it does not seem to me that the images by themselves, and as presented in this trade edition, have enough magic of their own. There is a darkness about them to begin with and it is almost as if you need that extra blackness that the gatefolds provide in order to bring out the light to be found in these particular images.

Rather than buying this book, do what you can to see a copy of the original edition and experience the work as it was intended to be experienced. I am not sure the original edition is worth owning for the kind of money some secondary market sellers are asking but it is certainly worthwhile to at least look through one, if you can find it, and experience it.

long waiting...I placed an order months ago...finally, it arrived the past weekend.

I am a fan of Paolo Roversi...and this book is just beautiful. Not many pictures (maybe I have expected more, and would love to see his more recent work to be included), but, the book is printed on this beautiful, fancy black paper...

All the pictures carries his dream-like look and feel...most portraits...some his studio space...all images are just breath-taking beautiful...

But, I have to say...I do like to see more images though...

For me it's a very good book. I like Paolo Roversi and black and white pictures...

Each photo is intense, and must be appreciated like it was the only piece of art on the book. The purity of the expressions and the few elements of the composition take us to the photographers world. Hardly we'll get again so deeply into the essence of the subjects.

Well worth the wait. If you can manage to get ahold of a copy then do while you can. With only 1000 copies printed it's a sure sell out.

This book is what Paolo does best and that's creating a book that turn photos into a poem.

After such a long wait to see this book finally released, it has been worth the wait because Paolo's work is of such grace and beauty that even the most mundane of still life scenes are inspiring. Only wish there were more photographs included.

I'd love to review this book, if it ever would get released. Roversi has been a favorite of mine for many, many years, and I've been anticipating the release of this book ever since I learned of it.

I actually had it on order for over a year, with my order first placed a couple of months shortly before the book was to be released in 4th quarter 2002. Then, with only a month or so to go until the scheduled release date, it was mysteriously pushed back--if I remember correctly--about 13 months to late 2003. When that date passed without a release, Amazon told me that they had received them, but the book had not been released, so couldn't ship them. The release date was then listed as being a couple of weeks later, December 23rd of 2003.

When that date passed without the release, Amazon told me that in fact, they did not have them, and they did not know when the book would be released. When I asked them--twice--to specifically explain why they had said the books had been received, and then later denied that they were in their warehouse, they would not. And neither would Amazon provide me a contact for the publisher so I could try and get some first-hand information from them, as dealing with Amazon was turning into a complete waste of my time.

Completely and utterly frustrated, and angry with Amazon's inability to tell a straight story or provide an avenue for me to get information from the publisher, I finally cancelled my order in March 2004, with the "projected" release date still listed at December 23rd of 2003.

Now, with the book never having been released, Amazon lists availablility as "Out of Print--Limited Availability". Good work, Amazon! Accoring to them, it's already in the cut-out stacks without even one book having gotten into consumer's hands. Looks like it will never get reviewed, huh?

I absolutely agree with the other review for this book: I also had ordered it, I was also expecting it to be published, I also cancelled the order since nothing was happening, I'm also disappointed with the fact that I don't know if it will ever be in my hands... what does "limited availability" mean? Is there only one copy belonging to own Paolo Roversi?
What has really happened?

who knows......