The World of the Polar Bear [Hardcover]

Norbert Rosing (Author, Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2006

A powerful predator, revealed here by an acclaimed nature photographer.

The polar bear is the largest terrestrial carnivore, uniquely adapted to thrive in the harsh environment of the Far North. In The World of the Polar Bear, renowned nature photographer Norbert Rosing follows the polar bear through each season.

With its thorough and engaging text and spectacular photography, the book provides:

• A season-by-season account of the life of the polar bear, including feeding, mating, rearing of cubs and journeying from the ice
• An intimate look at the animals that share the polar bear's environment, including seals, arctic foxes, walruses and muskoxen
• A section on such northern sky phenomena as sun dogs and the northern lights
• Many anecdotes and insights about the polar bear -- at once a loving parent, a fierce predator and a natural jester.

In addition to the 175 truly remarkable color photographs, there are four spectacular gatefolds. The World of the Polar Bear will appeal to any reader interested in natural history, animals, and the Arctic.

Polar bears are seriously threatened by global warming, and this book will attract considerable press attention.

(200610)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ask people to choose an animal iconic to the Arctic, and most will pick the polar bear. The largest of the land-based carnivores, polar bears roam the sea ice around the North Pole and retreat to the land in spring and summer when the ice melts. German photographer Rosing has produced probably the best collection of images of polar bears and their arctic habitat ever assembled in one place in this stunning new book. Following the bears through the four seasons, the author shows a cub's first tentative steps outside the snow cave in which he was born. Summer finds the bears stranded on shore as Hudson Bay melts, and they turn to whatever food they can find. In autumn, the bears gather around Churchill, waiting for the freeze and providing great opportunities for capturing play behavior on film. When winter finally freezes the bay, the bears reenter their true element, crisscrossing the sea ice with their attendant arctic foxes. Nancy Bent
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Awesome! This incredible photographic journey through the seasons in the world of the polar bear is an absolutely delightful experience. (Marilyn Brien VOYA 200706)

[The World of the Polar Bear] is, by turns, visually provocative, sumptuously beautiful and emotionally suffering. (Mark Cocker The Guardian 20071124)

Polar bears are the star performers here ... Exceptional reading for all ages. (Lorraine Lauzon Catholic Observer 20070330)

A glimpse into the life of one of the world's most charismatic species.... beautiful and well presented. (Andrew E. Derocher, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta Arctic 2006)

[Starred review] Spectacular color photos and informative text... will delight anyone with an interest in the Arctic... Highly recommended. (Deborah Emerson Library Journal 20061015)

Follows polar bears as they mate, hunt, rear their cubs and journey across the ice. (Kim Castleberry Outdoor Photographer 200612)

Breathtaking images. (Shutterbug 20061220)

Rosing's photos are beautifully stark, often moving... Text is lively, anecdotal and informative... A book to cherish. (Martin Levin Globe and Mail 20061203)

Hauntingly beautiful images of the Arctic. (Halifax Daily News 200608)

Captions... are straightforward and succinct, leaving Rosing's striking images to evoke the cold, unrelenting beauty of Canada's North. (Cassandra Drudi Quill and Quire 20061001)

Overflowing with stunning photographs... many touching moments captured. (Huixia Sun Embassy (Canada's Foreign Policy Newsweekly) 200612)

Probably the best collection of images of polar bears and their Arctic habitat ever assembled in one place... stunning. (Nancy Bent Booklist 20061202)

[One of 'Style at Home''s Top Ten Coffee Table Books] An intimate portrayal of their existence through the seasons. (Kat Tancock Style at Home 200611)

Polar bears and their Arctic neighbours. (Ron Berthel Peterborough Examiner 20061209)

If you get it as a gift for someone you may not be able to part with it. (Randy Midzain Winnipeg Free Press 20061201)

Crammed full of outstanding images... Norbert Rosing's work is nothing short of spectacular. (North American Bear Foundation 200612)

Magnificent... will delight young readers as well as adults. (Liz Pogue Victoria Times-Colonist 20070201)

Breathtaking... a keeper for budding environmentalists and ardent animal lovers. (Canadian Living 200703)

If you buy just one polar bear book this year, make it this one. (National Post )

Some great shots in this book... [Rosing] shares many tricks and techniques for shooting in this harsh environment. (Elizabeth Logue Canadian Camera )

Polar bears have been one of [Norbert Rosing's] primary fascinations and this book follows them through the seasons. (Kitchener-Waterloo Record )

Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of the photographs in this book... truly a remarkable presentation. (Wildlife Activist )

Covers not only the bears enjoying the snow, but also the walruses and arctic foxes around them. (Derwent May The Times, London )

Rosing's gorgeous full-page polar bear photos capture the world of the Far North like no other... Highly recommended. (The Midwest Book Review: Bookwatch )

[An] amazing book. (Laila Maalouf Destinations )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 204 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (September 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554071550
• ISBN-13: 978-1554071555
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 11.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #842,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #87 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Bears

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Photos, December 28, 2006

By 

W. Andersen "Brookesmama" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The World of the Polar Bear (Hardcover)

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys wildlife or nature. The photos are amazing and there is just enough information about each picture. I've never seen more breathe taking pictures of polar bears and their habitat.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, amazing price, February 7, 2007

By 

Writer Boi (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The World of the Polar Bear (Hardcover)

This is is a beautiful coffee tableThis is a beautiful coffee table book that is under-serviced by its photos online. The quality of the pictures, text and even the manufacturing are excellent. It makes for an amazing gift for anyone who appreciates Polar Bears, Nature or even art books in general.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful pictorial, March 8, 2007

By 

Pam Dalitz "maggi3" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The World of the Polar Bear (Hardcover)

This book is beautiful. It is all about Polar Bears up-close and personal. It's a keeper for sure.