The Nature of America: Images by North America's Premier Nature Photographers

Rating:
Summary: Excellent photographs, bad book format
Review: I agree with all the reviewers that the 200+ photographs in the book are first-class. The names of Art Wolfe, David Muench, John Shaw, and Willian Neil alone should guarantee that much. The only big complaint I have is that a lot of large-format photographs are splitted onto twoadjacent pages (about 3/4 on one page and 1/4 on the other page). This essentially ruins the composition of those beautifule photographs because it naturually draws your eyes to the split area, regardless of the photographers' intended focus. (In fact, in a number of photographs, the focus is in the split area). Instead of the book's 9 in x 12 in portrait format, they should have used the 12 in x 9in landscape format to avoid the two-page split. Mr. Middleton has a lot to learn about book design. As is, I don't think the book is worth its full [item price]. If you want to have it, buy it used at cheaper prices.

Rating:
Summary: This book is a must for all nature enthusiasts.
Review: I bought this book by faith believing that Amphoto Art delivers high quality publications in photography and glad that it doesn't disappoint. This book is a must for all enthusiasts in nature photography. Presented in it are images made by the cream of the crop in the profession. Its a visual feast of the natural, the wild, and the beautiful. Its telling us that nature photography is a living art. The grandeur of Yosemite Valley (p50-51), the vibrant colors of arid vegetation in Sonoran Desert (p60-61), the dreamy presence of the Tetons on a foggy morning (p97), the Snake River in fiery red stained by the rising sun (p102), the golden woodland under stormy clouds in Sheyanne National Grasslands (p113), the imposing Alaskan mountains on the cottongrass carpeted plains in Denali National Park (p177) are just a few examples of the diverse faces of the American wilderness, captured by a team of brilliant photographers. The book would be more complete if Glenn Ketchum and Linde Waidhofer's work was also included. I have seen their images and reckon they should be invited to join the show. Its also a pity that many superb images aren't presented in full pages or 1 1/4 page-spreads. For example, Willard Clay's sublime image of the Rockies (p102), David Muench's punchy image of Mt Whitney (p56), and Larry Ulrich's vibrant image of the fall color (p49) were only presented in a smallish 9x12 cm format. Maybe its too expensive to produce a bigger volume, so some images had to be printed in smaller sizes but that has certainly reduced my enjoyment. For the foreign diplomats, they won't be that fussy. By the way, did anyone try to sell this book to the delegates in the recent Kyoto Conference ? It may help to remind them that time is running out for Planet Earth !

Rating:
Summary: America...God shed His grace on thee
Review: I keep this book on the coffee table and thumb through it often. Every time I do, I see something new and wonderful. Originally I bought the book because I know Bill Fortney and thought it would be neat to own his book and I'd have some nice pictures, too. WELL, did I learn a lesson! I have grown to love this book as a reminder of the awesome love and power of God who created all the beautiful places these gifted photographers have captured--from the simple to the majestic. Anyone can take a picture but this is art! ...

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Treat for the Eyes
Review: These are some of the best photographs you will find anywhere of the wild places of America. The book was recently selected to be given to foreign diplomats by the White House. The text is classic Middleton - easy to read, very moving, and educational as well. I have met both authors and can tell you that they are two super guys who know photography and how to teach. But their work isn't all that makes this book a BUY. It has 200+ photos from the best of the best that North America has to offer in outdoor and nature photographers. I highly recommend this wonderful work!

Rating:
Summary: La creme de la creme!
Review: This book contains a beautiful collection of photographs which enables us to appreciate all the majestic and natural beauty North America has to offer. How fortunate we are that the photographers were able to capture such images and present them in the one impeccably produced book. As for the writers, they too have captured a beauty which encourages us to ensure the land remains unspoilt and protected for all to enjoy. The joy of treasuring such a book necessitates a strong desire for more and one can only dream that another book like this will come our way again soon. A true work of art and a source of inspiration.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful for Spacious Skies!
Review: This book really captures in a compact but powerpacked volume the greatness of our beautiful land and how we have been blessed to enjoy this scenery. Highly recommend it as a book for your collection.

Rating:
Summary: very beautiful. well done.
Review: This is a beautiful and well-produced book. Truly a representation of the creme of the crop of american nature photographers. It is both inspiring in it's illustration of some of the country's most beautiful wild areas -- and a strong reminder that we must preserve these areas for the future. I have been fortunate enough to meet the authors and some of the photographers represented in the book, and I am truly impressed by their amazing dedication to their craft and their sincere love and concern for nature. It is evident in these images. I only wish it was larger so the images could be reproduced over one page. Highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: A Must-have for all who appreciate nature
Review: This is a beautiful and well-produced book. Truly a representation of the creme of the crop of american nature photographers. It is both inspiring in it's illustration of some of the country's most beautiful wild areas -- and a strong reminder that we must preserve these areas for the future. I have been fortunate enough to meet the authors and some of the photographers represented in the book, and I am truly impressed by their amazing dedication to their craft and their sincere love and concern for nature. It is evident in these images. I only wish it was larger so the images could be reproduced over one page. Highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: very beautiful. well done.
Review: This is a most facinating book with the writings and photography excellent in every way. I am very impressed with all of it.