Amazon.com
Ecology, a science scarcely a century old, aims to give its practitioners an approach to understanding how whole natural systems--for example, watersheds, deserts, and estuaries--work. Few books translate this aim as well as Earth from Above, a stunning collection of photographs that affords its viewers a window into the world's workings. It is something of a commonplace, for instance, that the large-scale logging now being visited on the world's rainforests is causing untold damage to tropical ecosystems. In French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand's hands, this problem is translated from arid fact to alarming image, giving immediate meaning to the statistics that underlie today's environmental headlines; his photographs of the ruins of rural Madagascar, where forests are being cleared at a rate of 1,500 square kilometers (580 square miles) annually, are a sad case in point.
Arthus-Bertrand, working with the support of UNESCO, has wandered the globe to gather this collection of more than 200 photographs, presented in a folio format. The images are uniformly striking, whether of stalagmite-like fans of algae spreading into the Mediterranean Sea, farmers working their fields in northern India, or destroyed Iraqi tanks littering the deserts of Kuwait. The accompanying text, captions, and short essays by some of France's leading scientists and social critics lend specific depth to the images, which will cheer few readers--but that will shock, and educate, and, with luck, inspire closer attention to the world around us. --Gregory McNamee
Book Description
The result of a five-year airborne odyssey across five continents and 60 countries, Earth from Above is the most revealing and spectacular portrait of our world ever created. From a heart-shaped mangrove forest in New Caledonia to a flock of red ibises in Venezuela, from a caravan of camels in Mauritania to Mt. Everest and Mammoth Hot Springs, renowned aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand presents striking color images that put our home planet in a whole new perspective. Produced under the sponsorship of UNESCO, the book is also a documentary record of the state of the world's fragile environment.
This vibrant new edition of the internationally acclaimed original features an updated design and nearly 60 stunning new photographs. All new captions and the addition of authoritative new texts by experts in various environmental fields illuminate Arthus-Bertand's monumental achievement.
Customer Reviews:
Item never recieved!.......2007-09-27
I ordered my book about a month ago and it is still not here! I can not review the book, but I can review the service, and it has been awful.
Cover.......2007-09-20
I think the photo of the cover is the best. Nice photos, no one to recall as very nice.
Beautiful photographs but some rather polemical commentaries.......2007-05-10
This is a book with some of the most beautiful and interesting photographs I have ever seen, all of which have been taken from the air above by the well known photographer Yann-Arthus Bertrand. It also comes with an alarming and urgent message that we (the citizens of the world) must all do our bit to bring to a halt the continuing and escalating damage to our environment before it is too late.
It's a big heavy book (38cm by 30 cm by 5cm), and one could say that its weight matches the importance of the topics being addressed. The book is divided into twelve sections:
* Building an Eco Economy
* World Population and the Environment
* Urban Landscapes, Landscapes of Urbanism
* Farmers of the World, the Price of our Future
* Water, Humanity's Heritage
* Biodiversity, a Question of Survival
* Seas and Oceans, Red Alert
* Climate Change, Doubts and Certainties
* Rethinking the World s Energy
* Sustainable Development
* Microcredit and the Future of Poverty
* Antartica, the Continent of hope
Each section is beautifully laid out, commencing with a 3 page commentary on the particular topic, which has been written by a well known scholar or expert, followed by a page of supporting facts and figures which provide the evidence to show the importance of the particular environmental issue under discussion. This is followed by a summary page of the 15 photographs in the section, and the double page photographs themselves. Because of its size, I found the best way to read this book was to put it down on my dining room table, and read a few pages at a time. And I did read it line by line and from cover to cover!
I would like to say that I am convinced by the scholarly nature of the commentaries, but I found myself "tuning out" some sections because of the unrelieved gloom and doom portrayed by the author of the article. The main problem I had with the style and tone of the commentaries was I was never quite sure as how much of what was being presented was fact as opposed to opinion masquerading as fact. There were some very interesting statistics, most of which seem to have been published in reports of the United Nations reports, but, again, I was never quite sure whether the author was just selecting those statistics which supported his case.
One of the underlying messages of the book seems to be that any progress we may make towards improving the way we live only ends up endangering Mother Earth and to make it worse for those who are struggling to survive in an ever more deteriorating environment, and that nearly all of the present solutions which have been offered to correct our environmental problems will also make matters worse. This means that the only hope we have to avoid disaster is for us (humanity) to change our ways. This requires, of course, that we should return to a simpler way of life, and that governments should be concerned with changing our attitudes accordingly.
My problem with this kind of reasoning is that human beings, by their very nature seem first and foremost to be self-oriented, It is true that at times we do display magnificent examples of altruism, but we are not colony insects like bees and ants. In my opinion, this means that solutions to our environmental problems HAVE to take into account how humans actually behave, individually and en masse, and not how they SHOULD behave! In my opinion, many of the solutions offered were rather high level and top down, and as is clear in most current political issues, the devil is usually in the details. I think that to be successful in persuading people to change their minds on important issues like this, you must appeal to their intelligence rather than employing the faith based reasoning of some of the commentaries For me, the most useful section was on Sustainable Development because I felt that the author of the commentary had done a very even handed job of presenting both sides of that particular issue.
Notwithstanding these comments, the commentaries are VERY interesting and did present many new facts which I was hitherto totally unaware of. I am very happy to have acquired the book, and I do recommend it to other readers. I am sure I will read it again , since it does successfully convey a vitally important message - and it is still open on my dining room table.
So much beauty around us we don't notice.......2007-03-21
The author has been able to collate in this book amazing images that will take you many coffees to sit and go through.
This isn't a tiny book.
If you want to exercise then this is a hefty book that is worth its weight.
The images taken from all over the planet aren't just of pretty clean items but the author has been able to show beauty in even the ugliest of images. This will be a book your friends will want to borrow and possibly keep, if you lend it to them. tell them to get their own. You will see why when you review it.
Great Pictures.......2007-03-11
I saw the exhibition a couple of years ago in Lyon, France. Big sized pictures hanging all over town with explaning text beside it. Too bad the books there were, what else?, in French. When I saw this book @ Amazon, I bought it straight away. When you look at the pictures you think: what a great job this guy has. Gets to visit the best spots on this planet and makes great pictures of them too. Just recently, end of 2006, I saw a new exhibition in Amsterdam with some familiar pics and some new ones. Too bad there wasn't a book with all new pics, It would have been another great asset.
Book Description
Completely revised and updated, The New Earth from Above: 365 Days has all-new photographs and text, including twelve essays on conservation and other global environmental issues by noted experts and activists. Yann Arthus-Bertrand's powerful aerial photographs reveal the incidental beauty of the Earth and its inhabitants, while the authoritative text explores current issues of sustainable development affecting the world: global warming, poverty, and biodiversity among them. The images offer a breathtaking vision of out diverse planet.
Customer Reviews:
The Most Important "Coffee Table" Book You'll Ever Own.......2007-09-30
This book is more than just a collection of breathtaking aerial shots of the global community in which we live -- it's an informative and often damning look at the world that we have created, and how our lives make it what it is. The book does not pull any punches, and often as we gaze at the sheer beauty (both man-made and natural) of this planet, we are slapped in the face with the facts of life. It's a picture book that seems to be telling us, "Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words, but here are a few that you may not have noticed."
Don't just buy this book for yourself, buy it for every person that may come into your home, pick it up, and look at just a few pages. You will help each of them understand the complexities and dilemmas of our modern lives.
Earth From Above.......2007-05-30
I still haven't read it all, as there's 365 days, but what I have seen I am impressed with. It's not just the pictures but the background information that accompanies it It's like a mini history/geography lesson, but fun!
Political overtones.......2007-05-12
Many of the pictures were nice. A little disappointed in the choice of some of the pictures that were used. The written narration is very environment, global warming, & politically biased. I purchased several as a coffee table gift idea. I won't buy any more of this particular book unless I am certain the person I'm giving it to has liberal values.
Amazon.com
In a literal overview of the world, Earth from Above: 365 Days presents a resplendent view of our complex home. Each new day reveals another breathtaking, and sometimes heartbreaking, image from the sky: an endless field of Kenyan flamingos, the crowded streets of Tokyo, the crisscrossing highways of Los Angeles, or a misty blue lagoon in Iceland. Turn the page and find yet another absorbing view. Each of the 365 pictures is monumental and imparts one more mind-blowing facet to our elaborate planet. Every image is accompanied by a brief socially conscious text. Descriptions of nature's bounty and wrath, along with human impact both good and bad, run throughout. From the beauty of the world's largest maze to the destruction of major earthquakes, life seems unpredictable. Whether it's one lone outfielder in Yankee Stadium or the lone penguin on a glacier in Antarctica, the sentiment is very much the same. Against the immensity of life on earth, each of us can sometimes feel so very small. --J.P. Cohen
Book Description
This affordable picture-a-day compilation, based on the hugely successful original edition, is the 2005 edition by renowned aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Reaching across continents, from icebergs of Antarctica to the cotton fields of India to the olive plantations of Spain, the breathtaking full-color photographs are accompanied by informative new captions that illuminate what we see and describe the environmental concerns related to each location.
In addition, all 12 months of the book now open with an insightful introduction by one of several noted authors who address a wide variety of subjects critical to the present and future health of our planet: agriculture, biodiversity, sustainable development, energy, forests, fresh water, seas and oceans, and global warming. Earth From Above: 365 Days offers us a valuable new perspective on our spectacular but fragile environment.
Customer Reviews:
The Best Coffee Table Book.......2006-03-19
This is the best coffee table book I have seen. It captures the interest of all ages and intelects. But there is a message too, we must take care of our planet. !!!
Amazing experience.......2006-03-15
The images and stories that go with them are compelling and informative about the status of this world we live in. They are beautiful and give a powerful perspective on the Earth from a view we can not see as we walk on the ground. Amazing experience to share. I have now given it as gifts to over 10 clients and friends.
Outstanding global view.......2006-03-09
These Earth from Above books are truly an outstanding and breath taking view of the the world. They are educational and beautiful all at the same time. They are great coffee table books as well as great resources to show your children amazing natural and man made sites from all over the globe. Highly recommended.
Sweeeeet!!!.......2006-01-29
An amazing book of beautiful, thought provoking pictures that swirl the mind. No negative critiques other than the fact that the book should have been published in a large "coffee table book" size. I think a huge disservice was done to both the quality and content of these photos to have them published in a 6.5" x 7" format.
Erie coincidence.......2004-10-11
When I turned the page to September 11th just recently, I saw an erie photograph of the destruction of 2 side by side square structures in Florida reminding me of the World Trade Center on that very date. When I checked the copyright and saw that the book was publisher in 2001, I thought it would have to be after September 11th and the author used this photograph intentionally on this date. But by checking the Amazon site I learned the published date was September 1, 2001. Though I know September is hurricane season in Florida, I couldn't help but think this was an erie coincidence.
Book Description
Now the best-selling book is available for young readers! At last children can experience the breathtaking aerial photographs of Yann Arthus-Bertrand in a charming book written just for them. These mysterious photos are eye-catching works of art-but there's more there than meets the eye! Earth From Above for Young Readers tells the dynamic story of the diversity of the world's cultures and climes.
Young readers will be enthralled by glowing pictures of nomads and camels, carpet merchants and scarlet ibis, tiny villages in Morocco and geysers in Yellowstone, plus many more unforgettable images. Text by Robert Burleigh enriches the experience by revealing the fascinating story that each photograph tells. This magnificent full-color book offers more than 40 globetrotting photos of Earth From Above to a new generation of admirers.
Customer Reviews:
not up to par with 365 days.......2003-01-31
Perhaps I am slightly biased, being not only an adult, but I read the original 365 days edition first. I am always on the lookout for children oriented books that help teach geography and anthropology, so naturally I jumped towards this one. While the book takes on the nice perspective of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's grandson, who explains what his grandfather does and what aerial photography is, there are many flaws thereafter.
The book highlights certain photographs and explains where they were taken and something about the place they occur. Unfortunetly, whoever chose which images to put into the book focused largely on Africa - Morrocco to be specific, and ignored some regions of the world entirely. I understand that Arthus-Bertrand cannot fly everywhere, but the original 365 days book covers more countries and continents.
Secondly, the text has poor science for the grade the book is supposedly aimed at. While I understand this isn't a textbook, it should still be educational.
Lastly, I was slightly dissapointed in how the location of where these countries actually are was underplayed. Didn't we just hear the horrid results of a worldwide geography examination, that clearly showed that we need to put more geography into education?
I do want to add though, that the majority of the photographs were well chosen for the target audience, and I think that its important that the additional perspective of aerial photography is added to a child's education. For a child, I recommend this book, but for a family, sharing 365 days would do just as well.
Book Description
Based on Abrams' hugely successful Earth From Above: 365 Days, this new and improved edition includes 60 additional pages and almost 200 brand-new, eye-popping images by renowned aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Reaching across the continents, from the icebergs of Antarctica to the cotton fields of India to the olive plantations of Spain, the breathtaking, full-color photographs are accompanied by informative new captions that illuminate what we see and describe the environmental concerns related to each location.
In addition, all 12 chapters of the book now open with an insightful introduction by one of several noted authors who address a wide variety of subjects critical to the present and future health of our planet: agriculture, biodiversity, sustainable development, energy, forests, fresh water, seas and oceans, global warming. Earth from Above: 366 Days offers us a valuable new perspective on our spectacular but fragile environment.
Customer Reviews:
Fascinating.......2007-10-24
The only way I seem to be able get out and about these days is through the internet or books. So I indulge in travel books and books about the world. This is my idea of travel. You might as well be hanging out the bottom of a plane, the view is incredible. The colors so beautiful and the sights amazing. You learn so much about your world through this book. I had no idea some of these places exist and I'm pretty well travelled and knowledgeable so it was fun discovering new places - places I may never get to in my life time. But Yann takes you there. I wish he would do more!
A big mistake.......2006-05-01
I could give 5 stars for the pictures but becouse of a big mistake, stars come down. Okay the photos are good but somewhere I am very dissapointed. On page August 22, where the comments for the picture were about the genocide of Jewish, it was written that Turks did the same thing to Armenians. But that was a lie. Some nummamorous people told this allegation and the writer believes them. This is very sad. If someone writing a book, he/she must be very careful about his/her words. Books must not contain allegations. Or author must tell that it was an allegation, unless it is proved.
More of the same--in every way........2006-03-17
For all intents and purposes this book is no different than the same author's book titled "Earth From Above 365 days". My comments are the same for this book as I wrote in my review of the other book;dated October 7,2004.The only difference is in the pictures. There are both good and poor aspects to this book and I have elaborated on them in my other review.
earth from above: 366 days.......2005-12-10
My husband and I love this book. We look at it every day. The text may be depressing, but it's a wake-up call to the destruction of beautiful areas like the ones depicted. The pictures are absolutely stunning and you will be astounded that there are such places in the world.
great but ..........2005-10-17
great photos!!! some repetition with the "big book". size of photos a bit small.
Average customer rating:
- Excellent entry level book--suitable as a textbook
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Earth from Above: Using Color-Coded Satellite Images to Examine the Global Environment
Claire L. Parkinson
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Earth From Space: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
ASIN: 0935702415 |
Book Description
Earth from Above provides an easy introduction to understanding and interpreting satellite images, using illustrative examples to instruct on the fantastically informative new global data sets. Beginning with two short chapters on visible satellite images and radiation, the book then covers six key Earth-atmosphere variables on such environmentally important topics as the Antarctic ozone hole, El Nino, deforestation, the missing carbon dilemma, and the effects of sea ice, snow cover, and volcanoes on atmospheric temperatures. A final chapter broadens the discussion to consider satellite Earth observations in general. The book is heavily illustrated, including photographs, maps, schematic diagrams, and 50 color-coded satellite images. Each section concludes with a list of questions encouraging the reader to review the text and, in the case of sections with satellite image, to examine the images and find answers from them. Answers to all questions are provided at the back of the book.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent entry level book--suitable as a textbook.......2000-03-29
There are two very important elements which come together in this excellent book: intelligent, understandable text and excellent illustrations. An added bonus is that Dr. Parkinson is noted for her thorough, well-reserched approach to her writings. She also has a unique ability to summarize this infomation in straight-forward, organized text. I highly recommend this book to those interested in remote sensing, or looking for an introductory text for their students. Also, see another wonderful publication edited by Dr. Parkinson, "Atlas of Satellite Observations Related to Global Change'.
Average customer rating:
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WEATHER FROM ABOVE PB
HILL JANICE
Manufacturer: Smithsonian
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Environment and Transport in Economic Modelling (Economics, Energy and Environment)
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ASIN: 079234913X |
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The analysis of the relationship between transport and environmental policy invites an interdisciplinary treatment and a variety of approaches, and rightly so. An important subset of the approaches used involves economic analysis. Economic approaches often consider pricing policies, attempting to evaluate their effectiveness in comparison with more traditional measures such as `command and control' regulation and directed technological innovation. Another important subset of approaches involves simulation modelling, where key relationships are presented mathematically so that their influence can be quantified and their interrelationships discerned precisely. This book treats the intersection of these two subsets: simulation models with a strong economic content. This intersection defines a broad but powerful way to study environment and transport. Its breadth is illustrated by the wide range of policies treated here, from carbon taxes to speed limits. Its power derives from the way insights into interrelated actions and the role of markets - the strong points of economic theory - are cast into a form suitable for making quantitative predictions about the results of policies. Case studies are used to show how simulation models can be designed and used to quantify the effectiveness of economic policies in terms of transport systems management and environmental protection, the emphasis being on the role of the markets in tracing the many effects that policies have, both anticipated and otherwise.
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Network Infrastructure and the Urban Environment: Advances in Spatial Systems Modelling : With 53 Figures and 52 Tables (Advances in Spatial Science)
Manufacturer: Springer-Verlag Telos
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Transportation and communications networks are tremendously important for location, economic efficiency, mobility and welfare. At the same time there is a growing consensus about the negative environmental impacts of transport. A strategy for sustainable spatial systems is one of the most urgent urban planning issues today. This necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of spatial systems, including how land-use, transport and the environment interact and are influenced by different policies and actions. This book aims at improving this understanding. Leading scholars in social and engineering sciences review facts, trends, issues, policies and models relevant for integrated land-+use/ transport/environment analysis and present recent methodological advances in dynamic network modelling, spatial equilibrium modelling, urban land-use/ transportation modelling and regional development analysis. It also covers results from evaluations of landuse and transport policies.
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Earth from Above : 365 Days
Earth from Above: 366 Days
Earth From Above for Young Readers
Through the Lens: National Geographic's Greatest Photographs
Wide Angle: National Geographic Greatest Places
