Rating: 
Summary: Earth... We Hardly Knew Ye!
Review: ...My first impression upon opening the book is that this a collection of Science Fiction landscapes; something digitally created for a Star Trek movie. It has that kind of 'unearthly' feel to it. Some of the images are that surreal. Then you realize, this IS Earth - and we have not been paying attention. This book represents a vision which will make you pay attention.I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about the preservation of such remarkable beauty - whether it be simply as an observer - or as an activist. Who knows? Perhaps, it may even motivate you to take steps towards securing its future existence. The survival of the planet is the only thing in the balance. I have over 200 photographic books in my library and up until now, the only book of landscapes has been one by Ansel Adams. Now there is Wayne's "America's Vanishing Landscapes"! Let there be more!
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking
Review: A friend shared his book with me and I was carried away! It's a treasure,,,a collection of once-in-a-lifetime breath-taking views that most of us don't get an opportunity to experience as we try to "keep up" in this life we have created. I found myself awestruck by the images, captiviated and inspired to want to visit as many of these spots as possible. The combination of passionate point-of-view and thoughtful quotes in the framework of these awesome photographs has created a table book that I will pick up and revisit time and again. This book won't be gathering any dust!
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking
Review: A friend shared his book with me and I was carried away! It's a treasure,,,a collection of once-in-a-lifetime breath-taking views that most of us don't get an opportunity to experience as we try to "keep up" in this life we have created. I found myself awestruck by the images, captiviated and inspired to want to visit as many of these spots as possible. The combination of passionate point-of-view and thoughtful quotes in the framework of these awesome photographs has created a table book that I will pick up and revisit time and again. This book won't be gathering any dust!
Rating:
Summary: American Dreamscapes
Review: America's Vanishing Landscapes: The Western States (Companion Press, Santa Barbara, Cal., 2002) transports the product of Wayne Williams American dreamscapes, through some extraordinary lens wizardry, from the unmatched natural majesty of our western lands directly to your coffee table. This work is nothing less than priceless documentation of our non-replaceable natural treasures, from awe inspiring mountain ranges to the sun hued free-form natural sculpture garden that is the great southwest, to the rich verdant jewels that are the Hawaiian Islands. Planned as the premier product of an ambitious project Williams plans as a permanent record of all of America's natural wonders "the Western States" is a stunning first chapter. The Compendium, which follows the more than six dozen color plates, provides a thoughtful commentary by the author, and is an essential companion read to the pictures. Williams also has provided an introduction, aptly entitled "Dream of the West". And the preface is by Andy Lipkis, founder of the seminal Tree People, and a natural fan of Williams' work. I have admired the author's work for better part of two decades, and have followed his progress from shooting uniquely creative glossies of Hollywood stars, from the Golden Girls to the inscrutable Andy Kaufman. I first met Williams when we both worked on a film short teaching children about the importance of everyone's role as custodians of our public lands, featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Now, that whimsical, but earnest, pitch to our kids, regarding the importance of preservation, has evolved into Williams's subtle and elegant plea to all Americans, to be mindful of just what is at stake. JPG
Rating:
Summary: American Dreamscapes
Review: America's Vanishing Landscapes: The Western States (Companion Press, Santa Barbara, Cal., 2002) transports the product of Wayne Williams American dreamscapes, through some extraordinary lens wizardry, from the unmatched natural majesty of our western lands directly to your coffee table. This work is nothing less than priceless documentation of our non-replaceable natural treasures, from awe inspiring mountain ranges to the sun hued free-form natural sculpture garden that is the great southwest, to the rich verdant jewels that are the Hawaiian Islands. Planned as the premier product of an ambitious project Williams plans as a permanent record of all of America's natural wonders "the Western States" is a stunning first chapter. The Compendium, which follows the more than six dozen color plates, provides a thoughtful commentary by the author, and is an essential companion read to the pictures. Williams also has provided an introduction, aptly entitled "Dream of the West". And the preface is by Andy Lipkis, founder of the seminal Tree People, and a natural fan of Williams' work. I have admired the author's work for better part of two decades, and have followed his progress from shooting uniquely creative glossies of Hollywood stars, from the Golden Girls to the inscrutable Andy Kaufman. I first met Williams when we both worked on a film short teaching children about the importance of everyone's role as custodians of our public lands, featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Now, that whimsical, but earnest, pitch to our kids, regarding the importance of preservation, has evolved into Williams's subtle and elegant plea to all Americans, to be mindful of just what is at stake. JPG
Rating:
Summary: Vanishing landscapes a hit!
Review: As a photographer, I am familiar with Mr. Williams work as a celebrity and fine art photographer. In this book he has branched out and shows the versatility that only a true photo artist can achieve. I was impressed with the focus of the content and the beauty of the photographs. Many of the place where Mr. Williams went are truly vanishing from the American landscape. It is a great tribute, and perhaps a last look at some of America's most beautiful places. A must have for photographers, nature lovers, and anyone who loves this planet!
Rating:
Summary: America the beautiful
Review: Breath-taking vistas!!! You want to run away and see America. I have never seen the jewels of our country captured with such feeling. This is THE book for every home that wants to "travel" the country. Gorgeous presentation, beautifully put together. Perfect gift item, but get one for yourself too. I can't wait for the other editions covering the rest of the country.
Rating:
Summary: An unexpected Richness
Review: I am not a "coffee-table book" person, but after hearing a famously hard-to-please professional art expert rave endlessly about it at a recent San Francisco dinner party, curiosity compelled me to search for and purchase Mr. Williams' fascinating book. I readily admit being captivated from the very first page. The visceral beauty of the images, one after another, was astonishing, and the author's brief commentaries on each phase of this important work affected me on a level more deeply than I expected. After a lifetime of critical observation, I have never experienced so rich a combination of breathtaking art and pure enviromental committment. Both my life and coffee-table are much the richer for it.
Rating:
Summary: Light and the landscape
Review: I am taken by the remarkable portayal of the actual light that I remember from having traveled and seen these exquisite places. Mr. Williams is a true artist with an eye beyond the pictorial photographer's reach. He sees light that can only be seen at a very still sitting. He touches us with his vision.
This is a book of rare beauty and I feel richer by owning it.
Rating:
Summary: Light and the landscape
Review: I am taken by the remarkable portayal of the actual light that I remember from having traveled and seen these exquisite places. Mr. Williams is a true artist with an eye beyond the pictorial photographer's reach. He sees light that can only be seen at a very still sitting. He touches us with his vision.
This is a book of rare beauty and I feel richer by owning it.
| 
