The Art of National Geographic

Rating:
Summary: A truly epic visual journey
Review: "The Art of National Geographic" collects a wealth of stunning illustrations by many different artists. Altogether, these illustrations take the reader on an epic journey through time and space, across the worlds of both nature and technology.

There are many memorable images in this book: dinosaurs in fierce battle with each other, a sailing ship battered by a storm, a transcendent-looking Einstein haloed by celestial bodies, an army of ants on the march, majestic-looking World War II-era naval vessels, a close view of Saturn's rings, etc. Amidst all of the "big" pictures, there are also smaller and gentler sights, like Mary Eaton's delicate botanical watercolors. This is a marvelous collection of illustrations that invites you to return again and again.

Rating:
Summary: A truly epic visual journey
Review: "The Art of National Geographic" collects a wealth of stunning illustrations by many different artists. Altogether, these illustrations take the reader on an epic journey through time and space, across the worlds of both nature and technology.

There are many memorable images in this book: dinosaurs in fierce battle with each other, a sailing ship battered by a storm, a transcendent-looking Einstein haloed by celestial bodies, an army of ants on the march, majestic-looking World War II-era naval vessels, a close view of Saturn's rings, etc. Amidst all of the "big" pictures, there are also smaller and gentler sights, like Mary Eaton's delicate botanical watercolors. This is a marvelous collection of illustrations that invites you to return again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Artwork getting the attention and credit it deserves!
Review: Even artwork as stunning as these illustrations need to be showcased on their own...and Alice Carter has done a fine job.
As would be expected, a publication like National Geographic would require a higher level of artwork to complement its writing and this book delights us with lush, wonderful illustrations selected from Nat'l Geographics archives-- as well as insight into their creation and/or history.
In today's digital age, it is awe-insptiring to see such a wonderful handcraft placed on a pedestal.

Hats off to Prof. Carter!

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed in selection of illustrations
Review: Just received two copies of this book today, one for myself and a second for an illustrator/friend as a Christmas gift. I am not impressed with the books and I am returning both of them.

I have an extensive collection of books on illustration and famous illustrators which I use as reference and inspiration as an artist/illustrator. I had hoped this one would be one of the better books exhibiting outstanding examples of illustrators' work. It is not. I feel that too much emphasis is placed on text on the illustrator, with wasted empty white space around it, as well as large mediocre illustrations taking up two pages when there are others that deserve more attention and space.

Given the amount of illustrations that have been done for National Geographic over the last 100 years, I expected this book to be crammed pack full of inspiration and variety. It is not. It does not go into enough depth into a specific illustrator's work, such as Paul Calle for example, who did numerous pieces for N.G. Only one of his paintings is shown in the book and it is not one of his better illustrations in my opinion.

The chapter on Natural History is probably the best of the book, but again, I had expected a much more diversified selection with many more examples than what is shown. I felt many pages were wasted on illustrations that were enlarged 200+ percent for the sake of making an impact, when the technical merit of the painting does not justify the space of two pages. In several instances, the paintings are blurred and lose their detail due to the enlargement.

I am sorry to say that this book is lacking in many areas and I would not advise buying it at full price. If someone feels that they must have it, wait until it goes on sale.

Rating:
Summary: This is a very special book
Review: There are not enough art books in the world like this one. Alice Carter has not only selected a great number of outstanding illustrations, from artists who are houshold names, she has also introduced a new generation of young illustrators to artists who have been unfairly forgotten by time. As a professional illustrator and a "book junkie", I am constantly searching online, in used book stores and anywhere else to find good art books for personal enjoyment and professional growth. This book is one of those rare gems, a well written book, with images that will impress. National Geographic has had a distinguished history marked by outstanding research and artwork of the highest quality. To encapsulate their illustrious history is one coffee table book is no easy task. This book does justice to that great history. This book is in the same fine tradition as Carter's other acclaimed book, The Red Rose Girls.

Rating:
Summary: Milestone book on 20th Century Illustration
Review: This wonderful book captures the best of 20th Century illustration with its chapters featuring works by NC Wyeth, James Gurney (Dinotopia) and many other leaders in this field. As an illustrator I value the anecdotes that document the development of the artwork. The reproduction quality and the eclectic nature of the stories and the art make this one of the best examples of a coffee table book in recent years (and I collect a lot of them). This is the book that will be on my coffee table by itself for a long time.