Customer Reviews

Tribes of the Great Rift Valley

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a beautiful book, with black and white photographs of some of the disappearing peoples of the Great Rift Valley. While it comes behind incredible works by others in this field, like Mirella Ricciardi's "Vanishing Africa" and several of Carol Beckwith's books, I think the author gave it a very comprehensive try and came out with an interesting book. Some of the photographs were taken at great distances, showing big landscapes, where I would have preferred more in-depth glimpses into the faces of the people of the land.

I was in Borders looking for a coffee table book about Africa. Most of the books I looked at seemed more interested in honoring the author's enormous ego than in honoring the Africans who were being photographed.

This book immediately caught my eye. The photograph on the cover is beautiful, but beyond that, I noticed the camera angle was looking up to its subject (as opposed to "down on"). The second thing I noticed was the text. In the other books often the biggest word on the cover was the name of the photojournalist. A picture says a thousand words, and I liked what this picture was saying.

As I paged through the book I grew even more impressed. The photography is absolutely stunning, and the story told through the pictures and their captions is deeply moving, a testament to the author's humbleness and integrity, not to mention *talent.*

If you're looking for a coffee table book on traditional African tribal culture, this is the one to get.

This is a work of art. The photographs are the most beautiful I have ever seen.The narrative is informative and passionate.
I have never been to Africa, so my mental images come from books movies and pictures. Those mental images have been changed by Ms. Gilbert's book.
I now see Africa in a different light, and have a greater appreciation for its beauty and complexity.

An informative historical document on the life of African Tribes, beautiful photos which illustrate in detail tribal rituals and culture.
Incredible story of a young woman, a pioneer of sorts followed her dream and passion to bring light of this important cultural which is rapidly changing, a delightful and inspiring "can-do" attitude which would fuel any hearts inspirational desire, seek your best!