Amazon.com
Jungles are mysterious and even threatening places, among the least explored landscapes on the earth--and just the sort of place, therefore, that you might expect to find the ever-intrepid wildlife photographer Frans Lanting. "The tropical forest may be a naturalist's paradise," he writes, "but for a photographer it can be a nightmare. Once you are inside it is all blood, sweat, and leeches. Whatever you take into the forest becomes part of the food chain, whether it is your equipment or yourself."
But difficult conditions come with the work. In this oversized portfolio of 120 full-color images made over two decades on four continents, Lanting chronicles the life of the world's jungles, organizing the work by themes (water and light, color and camouflage, anarchy and order, form and evolution). As befits the jungle's manic pace, few of the images are static, as Lanting captures macaws and butterflies and even frogs in flight, orangutans brachiating their way from vine to vine, turkeys and snakes scrambling and slithering. Some of the images are nothing short of astonishing, among them views of an otherworldly cloudforest lobelia thicket in Hawaii and of treetop expanses that exhibit the phenomenon called "canopy shyness," an arboreal version of animal territoriality. Admirers of Lanting's previous books, such as Okavango and Eye to Eye, will prize his new collection, while rainforest devotees will find much to inspire them in the images he brings before us. --Gregory McNamee
Book Description
Where the wild things are Jungles is a personal exploration of nature in the tropics by master photographs, storyteller, and naturalist Frans Lanting. In a unique collection of images made over a period of 20 years in jungles from the lowlands of the Congo to the cloud forests of the Andes, Frans Lanting interprets the aesthetic splendor and the remarkable natural history of the tropical rainforest—a realm of bewildering complexity where nothing is the way it first appears. "While the essence of photography is to show, jungles hide, or at best, suggest," Lanting writes. "So I opted to show impressions of jungles to evoke a sense of their kaleidoscopic nature—the glimpses of faces that melt into shadows, the bursts of color and shimmering light."
The book features four portfolios of images that blend the results of travels years and continents apart. Within the portfolios are stories of field expeditions into tropical wilderness areas. "Water and Light" shows the interplay of these elements with plant and animal life, and ends with a story about life after dark in the jungles of Central America. "Color and Camouflage" explores the need to hide and the desire to be seen, and details a journey to a remote part of the Amazon Basin to document macaws. "Anarchy and Order" features impressions of growth and movement, and leads to a trek up a mountain in Borneo whose forested flanks show a unique layering of life zones. "Form and Evolution" is an ode to the wonders of natural selection, and culminates in encounters with primates in the forests of Madagascar and Africa.
In photographs that range from spectacular gatherings of rainbow-colored macaws to the misty exhalations of a forest at dawn, Frans Lanting evokes the luscious sensuality and intricate natural order of the forests that shelter the ultimate expression of life on earth.
Customer Reviews:
Definitely another winner!!.......2007-03-16
And yet another 10 star book on nature photography. This is a hard to get title, if you find it buy it. It is absolutely fascinating, I cannot say anything else that hasn't been said by all other previous reviewers. For nature lovers and rainforest addicts, this should be a must have. Bravo, Mr. Lanting!!! Save the jungles and the wonderful creatures of the world!!!!
My favorite photographer thanks to this book.......2003-05-28
Frans Lanting is a god among nature photographers. This book's *gorgeous* imagery takes me to another world completey, and I can only hope to follow in his genius footsteps with my humble little SLR. For anyone who loves to look at up close and personal pictures of animals or of lush jungle vegetation/rivers, or anyone who loves nature photography, I highly recommend this book. No wildlife photographer's shelf should be void of it.
Stunning photography, but...............2003-02-25
This is really an excellent portfolio with some stunning photography that really inspires one. I am a fan of Lanting's work and this book does not dissapoint.
My only issue is not with Lanting, but rather with Taschen (the publisher). The book is really very poorly bound and the glue just does'nt seem to hold the book together. This is not just an isolated case with my copy. I found that most of the copies (even those on the bookstore shelves) that I handled has this problem. I must say that this is quite dissapointing work from Taschen.
Absolutely Amazing..........2001-12-08
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys photography, animals, scenery, and just beautiful magical things. Franz Lanting is able to capture images from the real world but in a way that makes them seem not of this world.
Not only are the pictures a work of art but the book itself is contructed so that it too feels like a masterpiece. An oversized book that just feels good to hold in your hands and each new section in the book is seperated by lovely, transparant vellum.
Treat yourself or someone you love and buy this book!
Fantastic and inspirational book!.......2001-11-09
Well,when I was 14-15 years old,I was mostly interested in underwater photography and therefore,I had only a few photo books. But later,my interest for other animals too,grew much larger and therefore,I received this book as a christmas gift from my mother. It was really not a bad book,and it made me love Lanting and buy two more books with his pictures later.
It is a huge book,weighing perhaps 1,5 kilograms and with dimensions "14" x "10". It contains 150 photographs of plants and animals living in jungles around the world. Among the animals included are a series of pictures of red macaws in Peru,
dancing lemurs of Madagascar,cute little frogs in giant flowers in Borneo,incredibly strang-looking insects of various jungles,bats fishing at night in South America,and the shining eyes of caimans in Brazil.
But don`t just look at the animal pictures. The part which I find most inspiring is the jungle habitats. Especially the morning light in Borneo and Peru,and the palm savannah of Brazil. They all look humid and there are fog clouds in the dawin. Very beautifull. The australian jungles look very exciting too. Many pictures,especially of birds,are very windy to make a real impression of the movements of the animals. Lanting`s capability of capturing details of animals has never been as well presented as in this book. Especially in this huge format and double-page photos in the half of the book.
Over all,this is a fantastic book recommended to anyone interested in jungles,animals,or just in beautifull natural photography. You`ll be amazed,whoever you are.
Book Description
Search for fried ferns, jellied cowskins, and dried yak cheese at Thimphu's weekend market. Be blessed with a 10-inch penis at Chimi Lhakhang, the home of the 'Divine Madman.' Dance with snowlions and banter with clowns at the pick of Bhutan's colorful festivals. Hike up to the gavity-defying Tiger's Nest monastery, reputedly held on to the sheer cliff face by the hairs of angels.
Understand murals and monsters with in-depth coverage of Bhutanese Buddhism and culture by our regional expert. Special trekking chapter brings Himalayan peaks that little bit closer... Find out more and swap yeti-spotting tips at lonelyplanet.com
Customer Reviews:
Future visitor to Bhutan.......2007-07-21
In anticipation of a trip to Bhutan in 2008 I was looking for a travel guide and opted to buy Lonely Planet's. I read it cover to cover and found to contain very good information, advice, tips, descriptions, recommendations, etc. I travel extensively worldwide and Bhutan will be a novel adventure. It brings back memories of my trip to Tibet in 2000. I highly recommend this guide.
May be, finally..........2003-12-08
Hello!
I'd been searching for a book on Bhutan which could provide me with a little bit of everything about the country viz. the history, geography, people and the culture. I have searched for books on Bhutan in several book stores around. It was so hard to find one in English but I think this one will do.
May be, finally......... I have found the book I'd been looking for.
An excellent guide for traveling to Bhutan!.......2003-09-28
I bought this guide before my first trip to Bhutan, and it helped me immensely in planning my tour. It contains detailed information about the country--history, culture, geography, and facts for travelers. And it gives accurate information about the trekking routes and cultural tours. As is typical for Lonely Planet publications, this one is interesting and well written, and I found the information to be relevant to my trip. It is not easy to travel to Bhutan (there are many government restrictions), and this book made everything easier. I had such a successful, fun trip that I've been back several times (www.jachungtravel.com), and I still refer to this edition of the guide. It's packed with good information, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to go to Bhutan.
In the Thunder Dragon Kingdom adorned with sandalwood.......2002-08-13
Lonely Planet is unbelieveable! They continually pump out the HIGHEST quality guidebooks, and they've done it again with this edition covering Bhutan. I have spent a good portion of my life researching, and hording information on Bhutan, and have found Lonely Planet's guidebook to contain everything and more that the traveller could ever want...with two exceptions. I think that the lack of the U'cen script in the language chapter is a serious mistake. Lonely Planet has the capacity to print in the U'cen script as they did so in their Tibet edition. My other qualm is with the sparse coverage of the smaller and admittedly FAR less visited dzongkhags (districts) (i.e., Daga, Samdrup Jongkhar, Pema Gatshel, Zhemgang, Tsirang, etc.). Lonely Planet, resolve these issues and your book will be the best it could be.
A cut above the rest.......2001-08-22
If you're thinking of going to Bhutan, be advised there's not a whole lot out there to read in preparation, and of what there is, this guide is one of the best. Tourist travel in Bhutan is strictly controlled, and your itinerary is usually planned in advance, so lots of info on hotels, etc. isn't all that necessary. This guide focuses on history, culture and the life of the people--food, housing, dress. Along with the Passport/Odyssey guide by Pommerat, it's all you need. Have fun!
Average customer rating:
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Lonely Planet Bhutan (Lonely Planet Survival Guide)
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Bhutan
| Asia
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Lonely Planet
| Guidebook Series
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 9991359923 |
Average customer rating:
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Lonely Planet: Bhutan
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications - Italian editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Bhutan
| Asia
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Guidebooks
| Reference & Tips
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Lonely Planet
| Guidebook Series
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Travel
| Italian
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
All Italian Books
| Italian
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 8870636208 |
Book Description
The problem of reducing language to writing and conversely that of interpreting written signs as language has been resolved through the development of different writing systems. This illustrated textbook introduces the major writing systems of the world (from cuneiform to English spelling) and analyzes their structure and function. It includes a review of the history of writing and a discussion of the literate mind and society.
Download Description
During its long history the problem of reducing language to writing, and conversely that of interpreting written signs as language, has found a variety of solutions which still exist in the form of different writing systems. Written by a leading expert, this new textbook provides an accessible introduction to the major writing systems of the world, from cuneiform to English spelling. Florian Coulmas presents detailed descriptions of the world's writing systems and explains their structural complexities as well as the intricate relationship between written and spoken language. The book also provides a clear and engaging account of the history of writing and its consequences for human thought and literate society. This illustrated textbook includes questions for discussion at the end of each chapter, and an up-to-date explanation of theoretical issues. Clearly organised and engagingly written, it is the ideal textbook for use on courses on writing systems.
Average customer rating:
- Too much history, too sluggish, not intresting
- The title sounds dry, the contents are not
- Excellent! Straightforward, clear, and fun!
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Writing Systems: A Linguistic Introduction
Geoffrey Sampson
Manufacturer: Stanford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Alphabet
| Words & Language
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Linguistics
| Words & Language
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
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The Story of Decipherment: From Egyptian Hieroglyphs to Maya Script
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The Story of Writing: Alphabets, Hieroglyphs, & Pictograms, Second Edition
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Writing Systems of the World: Alphabets, Syllabaries, Pictograms
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Breaking the Maya Code
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The World's Major Languages
ASIN: 0804717567 |
Customer Reviews:
Too much history, too sluggish, not intresting.......2007-02-21
I bought this book in a passing period writing system enthusiasm (don't ask where it came from). I actually found it to be quite boring most of the time... It's mostly a history of the writing systems. Even though it's well written, the topic makes the text hard to recall even after a few weeks after reading. (It doesn't link with previous knowledge in any way really).
So even if you understood everything, you probably learned next to nothing... That was the case for me anyway. It's not really the book's fault, but still, it is too history-orientated in my opinion. Other subjects may have been a bit more useful to me personally and to other people intrested in linguistics in general.
Most of what he says about the legibility of glyphs or brain processes involved in reading / writing is purely a guess -- and he often goes wrong as well.
He describes in detail the evolution and correspondance of Hebrew and Greek letters, but only passingly mentions the Arabic scripts. There's nothing about Devanagari or the Tibetian scripts.
It seems like he had a hard time of filling the 200 pages with content so the result is often either annoyingly sluggish or just completely made up.
Might be useful if you are required to know about the topics in university or something, but intresting, hardly.
The title sounds dry, the contents are not.......2001-02-11
This book is the one that got me interested in writing systems as a part of linguistics. If you teach reading or language, the linguistic background this book provides will inform your professional knowledge far more than you can ever imagine. There are basically three kinds of writing systems in use in the world today: alphabetic, syllabic and logographic. Sampson gives sufficient historical background to help you understand how, where and with what languages these types developed. You will find out why the term 'ideograph' does not really accurately refer to any writing system in use. You'll learn how Egyptian hieroglyphs actually worked. And you'll be surprised to find out how reading Japanese is somewhat similar to reading ENGLISH!
This book is in itself an education in linguistic background knowledge that non-linguists don't usually have, but don't worry, Sampson is such a clear writer and excellent teacher, that the non-specialist can usually follow the discussion without stopping.
If you have an interest in language and languages for personal or professional reasons, this book will greatly enrich your life.
A perfect companion volume is the more recent but equally wonderful, 'Story of Writing'by Andrew Robinson (who is book review editor for the Times Higher Education Supplement).
Excellent! Straightforward, clear, and fun!.......1999-07-07
This, years ago, was just about the first book I read on a linguistic topic, and it's still my favorite. It covers writing systems, using such various interesting cases as Korean, Chinese, and Modern Hebrew. I know of no single book that covers so well such a large (and important) aspect of linguistics as this book, nor does it no intelligently. Plus it's fun.
This book does use linguistic terminology, but is totally accessible to non-linguists.
This book is great for reading on one's own, or could be useful as reading in a linguistics course. It should also be required reading for anyone interested in internationalization of software and any other kind of text processing that could involve non-Roman scripts.
Average customer rating:
- Introduction to the Burmese Writing System
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Introduction to the Burmese Writing System (Yale Linguistic Series)
D. Haigh Roop , and
Haigh D. Roop
Manufacturer: Yale Univ Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Southeast Asian
| Instruction
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Linguistics
| Words & Language
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0300015283 |
Customer Reviews:
Introduction to the Burmese Writing System.......2000-03-26
This was one of the first books available to English speakers to learn the Burmese script.
If you're just looking to gain familiarity with the script and understand how it all fits together, this book will fit the bill.
The book introduces groups of letters, teaches you their Burmese names and then offers a review after every few characters. However, the few sentences included will do little to improve your mastery of the spoken colloquial language. The book does manage to touch on most aspects of the script but shoud be considered an introduction to a more authoritative book like John Okell's Burmese: An Introduction to the Script.
The large typewriter face is convenient and awkward at the same time.
Book Description
Incredibly rich treasury of authentic royalty-free designs adapted from artifacts of the Harappa culture, coins and pottery from South India, Ajanta and Bagh murals, Muslim monuments, Buddhist temples, textiles from Gujarat, Punjab, other regions, masks and tribal arts, much more. Immediately usable material or great resource for design inspiration. Introduction. Notes.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful overview of images!.......2007-10-01
This is a great way to get aquainted with India's graphic history.There are many items worth using and particularly clear for many art project uses!Have fun!
Good Collection.......2006-11-09
This is an excellent collection of images that cover a wide range of subject matter. All of the images are approximately 5 cm wide by 3.5 cm high, so you would need access to a good scanner and softwware program to use them at any significant size.
3000 designs I might say........2006-08-21
This book has a nice selection of Indian designs although some are very simple & primitive.I bought it for using in graphic designs, not all the patterns but at least 1/3 are useful.Nevertheless I'm very fond of owning it.
Great idea starters for decorations, cards, rangoli.......2004-08-20
The designs range from very primitive and simple to incredible intricate and ornate. While I don't have as much use for the primitive ones, there's enough of the more elaborate ones to keep you interested. Lots of floral designs and animal designs, which is great but it would have been nice to have had a little more variety in the types of designs. Still, all in all, this is a great book for someone looking to incorporate an Indian sensibility in their art, decorative items, etc. This book has given me lots of ideas!
great book, though some of the drawings are low quality.......2003-11-06
My family all love arts and design, and over the years this book has become dog eared because we have turned to it so many times for inspiration for everything from easter egg painting to cake decorating to holiday gift certificates. Some of the designs are quite low quality, it's true - they are much more useful for inspiration than for copying a design straight out of the book. I love it, and I think every household should have one - but that's just me. If you are looking for a glossy commentary and showcase of indian design, this is not the book for you.
Book Description
197 black-and-white illustrations selected from ancient pottery, mosaics, and other authentic sources include details from fresco paintings, jewelry patterns, and other artifacts. The striking royalty-free motifs are easily adaptable for use in textiles and wallpaper, furniture design, and a host of other art and craft projects.
Book Description
Over 200 royalty-free designs, distinguished by their simplicity and fanciful nature, and organized according to geographical areas, depict abstract shell and heart-shaped motifs from Bengal, dancing stick figures from Maharashtra, simple geometric border patterns from Rajasthan, and much more. A perfect source of artistic inspiration.
Customer Reviews:
Useful.......2006-11-09
A decent collection of images and fair range of subjects. Not as comprehensive as A. Mookerjee's 5,000 Designs and Motifs, but not as expensive either, and the designs are usually larger than those in Mookerjee's book.
Book Description
Incredibly rich treasury of more than 200 traditional designs, developed by Indian artists over thousands of years. Exquisite adaptations from authentic embroideries and fabrics, pottery, mosaics, illuminated manuscripts, and other sources. Striking, permission-free motifs can easily be adapted for use in textiles and wallpaper, in furniture design, and in a host of other projects.
Customer Reviews:
Good quality illustrations.......2005-08-17
The patterns are smoothly rendered and professional looking
as far as quality. They are not rough drawings like in some
of the clip art books. The locations of where these things
came from are on many of the pages. There are both Islamic
and Hindu patterns and illustrations in this book. I wanted
more Hindu items but the Islamic patterns are still nice.
There is a lot of variety in this book.
This book has a few simple individual repetitive elements
and border pieces that can be repeated and it also has
really intricate designs. There are some animal
illustrations. Some designs are stencil style and some
are not. It does not come with a CD but it will be easy to scan.
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