Yosemite: The Promise of Wildness [Paperback]

William Neill (Author), Tim Palmer (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1994

A collection of remarkable pictures and text celebrating the awesome beauty of one of America's greatest national parks. __Audubon

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Arriving shortly after Yosemite's centennial celebration, this work by Palmer (California's Threatened Environment: Restoring the Dream, Island Pr., 1993) is enhanced with large color photographs by Neill (By Nature's Design, LJ 12/93). A resident of the park since 1977, Neill brings to his photos an intimate familiarity with the subject, ranging from sweeping panoramas of the parklands to isolated close-ups that border on the abstract. Palmer's two essays focus on the unique nature of the landscape, the enormous pressures being placed upon this national treasure, and possible approaches for balancing resource preservation and visitor accommodation. A good companion to the National Geographic Society's Yosemite: An American Treasure (1990), this volume is recommended for all environmental and public collections.
Tim Markus, Evergreen State Coll. Lib., Olympia, Wash.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Yosemite Association/Heyday Books (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939666820
• ISBN-13: 978-0939666829
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,397,557 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yosemite, magical and mysterious, July 28, 2000

By 

Lorelle VanFossen - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yosemite: The Promise of Wildness (Paperback)

A long time fan of William Neill's amazing photography, this book is a work of love. It is obvious in the beautiful images that his passion for Yosemite is revealed, page by page. Yosemite is one of the most visited and most photographed national parks in the US. Made famous by the images by Ansel Adams, among others, Half Dome and El Capitan have been photographed by millions every year for decades. Just when you think that every possible image and perspective has been taken, Mr. Neill's book opens your eyes up to more unique and varied possibilities.

To truly reveal the magic that is Yosemite, you must explore it during all the seasons, time and time and time again over the years. Mr. Neill clearly did as this book explores the beauty and uniqueness that is Yosemite through all those seasons, all the weather. With each page memories and enchantment flood the soul as I remember standing in the same spot, but seeing it anew through the magic of his camera, surrounded by the magic of the place. Even if you've never visited Yosemite, you will come away a friend with this book.

I highly recommend it to everyone who visits or considers visiting Yosemite. If you are thinking about a book that represents some of the magic that is nature and the wild in the United States to give to a friend from a foriegn land or someone city-bound, this book will feel like a hike through the woods and some magical place.

William Neill has done it again! Be sure and check out the rest of his wonderful books. I highly recommend "By Nature's Design" and "The Color of Nature" books. His images are timeless.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a picture book, August 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Yosemite: The Promise of Wildness (Paperback)

While Yosemite's splendor is introduced to the reader in the photographs, it is impossible to really capture the beauty of this great park with just a picture. The beauty of this book is a combined effort of excellence in photography and prose which sings the praises of this absolutely amazing corner of the world.

I highly recommend this book for those heading to Yosemite, want help in remembering a trip, or, for those of you not fortunate enough to have the chance to get there (go-go-go!), you'll read it and book the next flight!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Finest of Art, March 25, 2006

By 

Kurt Keefner "Happy to be Alive" (Outside Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Yosemite: The Promise of Wildness (Paperback)

For some people this book is a substitute for visiting Yosemite. I suppose that is legitimate. For Neill this book is clearly act of devotion to something he loves, even adores. For me the portfolios are pure art. In them Neill shows me ways of looking at things I never imagined. The contrast of snowy shore and black water. El Capitan veiled in mist and inky trees. Half Dome grey and majestic foregrounded by a glowing tree. Neill is especially good with the color black. I love the way he sometimes offers up a deep green that shades into black.

Not every photo is a masterpiece, but a high percentage of them are. They are stylized without being candy-coated, like the works of so many other landscape photographers. They condition consciousness so that after looking at them I see even my humdrum little suburb in a new way. This effect is surely due in part to the majesty of the subject, but it is mostly the achievement of William Neill. I revere this book and recommend it to any lover of beauty. Go to Mr. Neill's website and see the pictures for yourself.