Earthsong

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely striking photographs
Review: Edmaier takes us to a variety of isolated and relatively unpopulated areas for some terrific aerial photos of our planet. We see water, ice, tundra, glaciers, sandy deserts, volcanoes, coasts, grassland, and forests. And Jung-Huettl's descriptions of what we are seeing are nicely done.

The overall effect is eerie, as if the Earth were uninhabited (by our species, at least) and we humans were looking the place over and trying to decide if we wanted to visit it, live there, or try someplace else.

In any case, the photographs are marvellous and show plenty of detail. If I were writing a book on planetary science, I'd want to use a couple of these photos for the section on our little world.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing - especially from Phaidon publishing
Review: I was really looking forward to receiving and reading this book - I had looked at it in the stores but it was plastic wrapped and, therefore, I could not see what was inside. However, once I had received it from Amazon and opened it, my eager anticipation gave way to annoyance and disappointment. The photographs of the earth from above are, indeed, spectacular and of the highest quality, BUT Edmaier has used (or appears to have used) the same (or variations of the same) photographs over and over again - even though the book is supposed to have four distinct themes, Aqua, Barren, Desert and Green. I own several books published by Phaidon and have been impressed beyond expectation with every one of them - not this time. I considered the book price to be reasonable until I opened it - now I feel as if I have been ripped off! With over 220 pages, I expected in the region of 150-200 different photographs. Yes, the photographs are different but most of them are just different views of the same subject - not what I expected at all. Overall, a nice coffee table book, but far too expensive for what you actually get. Very disappointing!

Rating:
Summary: Great coffee-table viewing
Review: This is a beautiful book--incredible photography, carefully printed. There is a printing flaw on page 26.



Rating:
Summary: An Extraordinary Visual Feast
Review: This is a book that one must see to truly appreciate. I came across it in a store and began to browse because it looked as though it was a collection of spectacular works of modern art. The realisation that it was an album of aerial photographs only made it more compelling. There are many images that are breathtaking in their own right but the effect of combining them into a planetary photo essay is nothing short of outstanding. It uniquely explores the great diversity of Mother Earth while highlighting the beauty that is always present in her many forms.

Everyone I have showed this book to has had a similar reaction. If you are looking for a gift for that person who is difficult to buy for because they seem to have everything, look no further. They are sure to be delighted.