Archipelago: Portraits of Life in the World's Most Remote Island Sanctuary (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For this project, Middleton and Liittschwager gained unprecedented access to photograph on and around these protected islands that are otherwise completely off-limits to people. Home to nearly seventy percent of our nation's coral reefs, known as the "rainforests of the sea," the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands is a remarkable ecosystem that supports a vast array of interdependent native plants and animals that have evolved in this habitat over millions of years, many existing nowhere else on the planet.

The result is Archipelago. With its more than 300 stunning images, the book illustrates the spectacular diversity of these ocean and island creatures, as well as profiles many of the people dedicated to the preservation of this habitat. The inaccessibility of these islands and the need to protect them means that few people will ever be able to visit them in person, though now, for the first time, the area's inhabitants are available for all the world to see through this important body of work. In conjunction with the publication of Archipelago, exhibitions of these photographs will be mounted in Honolulu and Washington, and will then travel to venues around the country throughout 2006.

About the Author

David Liittschwager and Susan Middleton are well known internationally for their arresting portraits of endangered North American plants and animals. They have published three books, and they won an Emmy in 1997 for the National Geographic television documentary America's Endangered Species: Don't Say Goodbye. They have an active lecture schedule across the U.S., and their work has appeared in publications the world over and in many noted scientific works as well. Susan and David each live in San Francisco, California.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic; illustrated edition edition (October 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792241886
• ISBN-13: 978-0792241881
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 11.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #282,484 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #49 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Conservation > Endangered Species
  #98 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Travel > Ecotourism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another exceptional collection of images and information, December 8, 2005

By	Carol in the Garden (SF Bay Area) - See all my reviews

Such beautiful work is a treasure and an education all at once. It's a rare treat to be able to see in such intimate detail those creatures who have lived and may perish without our ever having known them except for the work done here. This book, and the entire body of the Liittschwager/Middleton collaboration is a must-have for every conservationist, every school.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Gorgeous Book, but Shoddy Packing, October 9, 2007

By	K. McCully (Midway Atoll NWR, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've lived in Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, where many of these photos were taken, for several months while working as a marine ecologist, so I've seen a large portion of these organisms, marine and terrestrial. Yet, despite the thousands of hours I've spent in the water there, Middleton and Liittschwager managed to find and photograph many organisms I've never seen before. Their photographs are unique because they mostly have a white background, so the organism is more starkly highlighted. Personally and as a marine ecologist, I think it's important to see the habitat and the other organisms that the organism may interact with, plus it's more interesting; however, that is what most fish or invertebrate books do and what any person with a camera or dive camera can do - Middleton and Liittschwager's technique is unique, much more difficult to accomplish, and therefore very special. Definitely a gorgeous book to keep on your coffee table - and a great way to see the organisms of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. One of my favorites is the group of images of one albatross growing up - from an egg to looking like an adult - I've always wanted to do that myself. This book will especially be a treasure for those lucky few who will visit Midway in the coming years as the new visitor program begins. I highly recommend it for those who have seen the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and those who haven't but want to.

Secondly, somehow this book was not packed very well. Others before me have commented on this, and I agree. I've ordered lots of things from Amazon and never seen this before; however, for an expensive book with glossy covers that you don't want to get scratched, it really wasn't packed very well. However, my copy was not damaged in any way, so no worries. I just think Amazon should talk to whoever is packing these books!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite look at hidden world, January 4, 2007

By	G. Schultz "Kupuna" (Hawaii Island, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The northwest Hawaiian islands, stretching all the way to Midway are rarely visited because of their remoteness and fragility. This beautiful book gives a comprehensive tour of the area. The coffee table format allows the strange lands and creatures to be seen at their best. The authors' skill and dedication to their topic shows clearly in both photos and text. Recommended for all nature lovers.