America's Heart & Soul

Rating:
Summary: A Great Gift!
Review: When I received this book as a gift, I was only expecting your average coffee table fare - some nice pictures, but no real substance. I'm happy to say that when I sat down with the book a few afternoons later, I discovered a truly genuine (and beautiful!) look at the American culture. The title doesn't lie; this book really feels like it comes from the heart & soul!

Through a series of gorgeous photographs, this book reveals a portion of our country that doesn't often get the "airplay" it deserves. We're introduced to page after page of American characters, who run the range from the hilarious to the heroic, from the inventive to the truly inspiring. For once, the words "freedom" and "spirit" are used not to sell a politician or pass a law, but to represent a nation composed of REAL people - something that is all too easily forgotten in this day and age.

To top it all off, the book is sprinkled with some of the best landscape photography I've ever seen in my life - the Golden Gate bridge covered in fog, the Washington Monument at sunset, the Statue of Liberty on the Fourth of July . . . I just wish I could frame some of these pages!

As a gift, this book was a completely welcome surprise. It's among the best of my coffee table books and is perfect for a Sunday afternoon browse-session - I imagine it would be a great addition to any household (or even classroom, for that matter). There's even a great behind-the-scenes section by the author, which seems perfect for budding photographers.

I haven't yet seen the Disney film this book is based on, but if it's anything like this book, I'm sure it's going to be great. If you're interested in taking a completely unique journey through the many American roads less traveled, filled with breathtaking landscapes and wonderful people, this is the right book for you! I highly recommend it!