Book Description
For 1,600 years its message lay hidden. When the bound papyrus pages of this lost gospel finally reached scholars who could unlock its meaning, they were astounded. Here was a gospel that had not been seen since the early days of Christianity, and which few experts had even thought existed–a gospel told from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, history’s ultimate traitor. And far from being a villain, the Judas that emerges in its pages is a hero.
In this radical reinterpretation, Jesus asks Judas to betray him. In contrast to the New Testament Gospels, Judas Iscariot is presented as a role model for all those who wish to be disciples of Jesus. He is the one apostle who truly understands Jesus.
This volume is the first publication of the remarkable gospel since it was condemned as heresy by early Church leaders, most notably by St. Irenaeus, in 180. Hidden away in a cavern in Middle Egypt, the codex (or book) containing the gospel was discovered by farmers in the 1970s. In the intervening years the papyrus codex was bought and sold by antiquities traders, hidden away, and carried across three continents, all the while suffering damage that reduced much of it to fragments. In 2001, it finally found its way into the hands of a team of experts who would painstakingly reassemble and restore it.
The Gospel of Judas has been translated from its original Coptic in clear prose, and is accompanied by commentary that explains its fascinating history in the context of the early Church, offering a whole new way of understanding the message of Jesus Christ.
Customer Reviews:
Religious.......2007-09-17
After reading this book and knowing what I know from many gospels, I
find this book very hard to believe. It just is far to away from all
the other gospels out there. I have read the "Other Bible" and many
of the gospels not found in the Bible of today, but none talk like the
gospel of Judas. I do not know who actually wrote this book, but I
would not put a whole lot of faith in it as truth. Why would Jesus
want to be crucifed in order to go back to the spirit world. I can
think of a lot of ways to kill yourself that are less painful. To
think Jesus wanted Judas to turn him in, so that he could be killed,
so he could go back to heaven, is just plain stupid. Jesus could
have just drank poison to do that. No one would ask for such a
painful death as crucifixion.
The Gospel of Judas: Fascinating and Controversial.......2007-09-03
A Review of The Gospel of Judas, edited by Rodolphe Kasser, Marvin Meyer, and Gregor Wurst, with comments by Bart D. Ehrman. (Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2006).
Humankind is often left with evolved systems of belief and organized religion, which are the products of those who have had the greatest political power. This is undoubtedly the case with Western Christianity. As recent discoveries have unequivocally shown, many alternate versions and constructs of today's multifaceted Christian heritage have been silenced or vilified over the ages. The Nag Hammadi Library, discovered in the late 1940's, brings to light some of these long forgotten and contested versions. Careful study of these and other documents demonstrate the great diversity of thought and conflicting testimonials, exhibited by earliest followers of Jesus. There has also been a trail of conflict and difficulty regarding scholarly and universal access to the Library for a good number of years.
With the access to an unquestionably authentic Coptic document called the Gospel of Judas, scholars again have the ability to explore historical diversity. Initial scholarly analysis has just surfaced in a recent book published under the auspices of National Geographic. This work, compiled by Kasser, et. al. is obviously written for the general public, although annotations and endnotes bring it to the depth of academic study usually shared by Early Christian Studies experts. Judas, the traditionally portrayed betrayer of Jesus, is presented in this lost Gospel as the handmaiden of salvation. However, it is not a salvation directed toward enabling the sacrifice of Jesus. In the contemporary version of Christianity with us today, Jesus dies to free men from their sins and therefore, to win the possibility of eternal life for those believers in and followers of his teachings. Rather, in this Gospel, Judas enables the soul of Jesus, a divine entity in human guise, to rid itself of its "mortal coil," and to rejoin with the highest, unnamable divine entity beyond this world.
The mythology of this particular Gospel is charged with a form of proto-Gnosticism: a term which conjures up debate among scholars, because it has been primarily defined through attacks by heresy seekers from the early, organized church. Gnosticism is a term derived from the sense of knowing as in "being aware" or enlightened. As one piece of the evolutionary puzzle, this Gospel shows the use of Sethian Gnosticism in early Christian thinking and how this thinking relates to evolving Jewish beliefs and to Greek writings (both Neo and Middle-Platonic).
To move this term from Platonism and to "Christianize it" within the Gospel of Judas (as Dr. Meyer writes) is to see the point Jesus makes in the Gospel: we are not the bodies we are in; nor are we defined by our existence in a mortal and often corrupt world. Rather, to know in the depths of our soul that we are mirrors of the divine is to know our true nature. Judas alone understands this and aids Jesus in his quest to reach his divinity by handing Jesus over to be killed. The other disciples do not understand this, and therefore cannot do what Jesus has asked of Judas.
Parallel to the publication of the Kasser book is a rather "polemic" review written by Dr. James Robinson. Robinson's critique is both critical and troubling. According to Robinson, as with the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Library, document dealers, middlemen and scholars have not always been as forthright as one would hope. Robinson contends that National Geographic and the editors of The Gospel of Judas seem to gloss over questions of proper legal ownership by Frieda Tchacos, whose name now labels the Judas Gospel and three other manuscripts ("Codex Tchacos"). The Maecenas Foundation, which currently holds the manuscript, may also have had intentions more directed at profit than preservation. These and other circumstances, Robinson claims, have limited the accessibility of this discovery.
As they broadcast their findings, and as scholars assist one another in the universal quest for knowledge, some things seem to fall short in the intensive drive to procure rare manuscripts. It is often difficult to secure a manuscript from a seller, especially when confounding circumstances may often result in its slipping away. This manuscript surfaced in 1983, and scholars are both critical and defensive about interactions surrounding it then, as they are now. Maltreatment of the manuscript by greedy and ignorant handlers almost destroyed the Judas Gospel. Knowing document fragility and how dealers can keep works out of reach, scholars are often hard pressed, whenever a document surfaces, to do all they can to get the work into safe keeping, before it is invariably destroyed. What drives any scholar, we would hope, is first and foremost, proper stewardship. In the real world, the best and most ethical approach to procurement often requires compromise.
The reader, who senses the undercurrent of frustration by any and all scholars during this document's long history of neglect and evasion, should credit all (current critics and scholars alike) with a driving desire and effort to get the truth of the manuscript out where it belongs. For their best efforts in a long history of difficult circumstances, all deserve our gratitude.
An Interesting Dip Into Unknown Waters.......2007-08-23
This book, edited by Kasser, Meyer and Wurst, seemed fairly repetitive, given the limited amount of material they had to work with; however, it does add to our knowledge of early Christianity. Whether it holds up to scholarly scrutiny however, remains to be seen......
Hmmmmm...........2007-07-03
I will give this 4 stars since it was very well written; however, I still feel it is missing a piece of the puzzle. How could there have been time for Judas to have developed a following in order for someone to have written "the gospel of Judas", when he killed himself shortly after betraying Jesus? He certainly didn't write it, as it was written after he died. I'm a big fan of the Gnostic Gospels, but this one doesn't make sense. Again, very well researched and written, but...
Early Christianity.......2007-05-13
This gives a more detailed commentary on the Judas Gospel than is possible in a TV show or magazine article, and of course the footnotes lead one on to a more detailed study!
Average customer rating:
- The Ultimate One
- How bridges, highways, tunnels and others were built
|
The Builders: Marvels of Engineering
National Geographic Society
Manufacturer: National Geographic Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
History of Technology
| Technology
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0870448374 |
Book Description
* Winner of the International Architecture Book Award
* More than 400 photographs, detailed diagrams, and period engravings
* Handy reference format
This fascinating book chronicles some of the world's greatest engineering wonders from ancient times to the present -- the longest bridges, the highest dams, the tallest buildings, the grandest cathedrals. Learn how ancient Romans built a highway network that rivals the U.S. interstate system. Explore the world's most ambitious man-made landmarks from the Great Pyramids and St. Peter's Basilica to the Golden Gate Bridge and the English "Chunnel." Six chapters describe engineering feats, highlight the technological break-throughs, and introduce the builders who made them possible. The Builders celebrates how humankind harnessed nature's power, overcame its challenges, and constructed monuments to our society.
Customer Reviews:
The Ultimate One.......1999-11-28
ý'm a student in civil engineering department of civil engineering department of Middle East Technical University-ANKARA.I can only say "excellent" for this book.
How bridges, highways, tunnels and others were built.......1997-12-01
This National Geographic book does a great job of explaining in some detail how bridges, roads, tunnels, aquaducts and others were built. It focuses on the 19th and 20th centuries and has many pictures and illustrations. I liked it as much as our 13-year-old son did.
Book Description
Ever wonder how landscape photographers manage to capture every detail in a panoramic shot of the Grand Canyon? Want to make a waterfall look like velvet? Or highlight the shafts of sunlight in your pictures of forests? All these answers and many more can be found in this definitive new guide to landscape photography—a must-have resource for amateur and experienced shutterbugs alike.
In clear, straightforward language, master photographer Robert Caputo reviews the basics of landscape photography for both film and digital camera users. Using concrete examples, he reveals recent directions in style and sheds light on the latest technology, advising how and when to use it. For additional guidance and inspiration, every picture shown in the book includes specific details on shutter speed, aperture settings, ISO settings, lenses, and types of cameras. Profiles of top landscape photographers provide more innovative tips for making your pictures unique. And a hefty chapter shares up-to-the-minute, information on new equipment and software for creating better digital images.
Filled with practical information and step-by-step instruction, this 160-page volume will easily fit in a camera bag for handy reference in the field. A glossary of useful web sites and professional resources completes this authoritative guide from National Geographic—the ultimate "professor" for anyone eager to learn how to take better landscape photos.
Customer Reviews:
Very disappointing.......2007-09-17
With the title containing National Geographic, I had high expectations for this book. I am eagerly learning about Landscape Photography and wanted a book tilled with the technical details that would allow me to approach a certain level of professionalism in my photos.
Here's what you should know before buying this book:
1. The digital portion is only a few pages in the back. The book was clearly adapted from the film version of the book. When people started crying for digital info, they just stuck a few pages on.
2. The digital portion is also incorrect or misleading (shockingly). Here's one example from page 126: "More pixels usually means finer detail, and this holds true for both compact cameras and SLR's." Well...this isn't really true. It's the marketing hype that camera manufacturers are pushing. In reality, it's a combination of the size of the sensor, the megapixels and the ISO speed you set, along with the quality of the lens that means finer detail. If you squeeze 10 megapixels onto a tiny sensor, all you get is more noise.
3. 95% of the book is just talking about EXTREMELY basic stuff. Ie: The rule of thirds, including an "S" shape in your compositions, shoot at sunrise or sunset, etc.
4. This is the biggie for me: THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO TECHNICAL INFORMATION ABOUT HOW ANY PICTURE IN THE BOOK IS MADE. Other books, such as the excellent National Audubon Society Guide to Landscape Photography, include camera and exposure info, plus which filters are used and even how the filters are oriented in their holder! Filling a book with pretty pictures (as NG's guide does) teaches me nothing. Telling me how to orient and expose using a Graduated Neutral Density filter (a la Audubon Guide) will allow me to duplicate their results!
This book was a complete waste of money due to the above reasons.
All Captured in This Book.......2007-07-04
Before a camping trip in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, I invested in my first digital camera and read this book. This field guide was informative, interesting and inspiring. It provided useful tips on not only handling the camera itself, but also how to look at one's surroundings and be able to convey the sensations at that time to others viewing the photos later. The images throughout the text provided moving examples of Robert Caputo's and other professional photographers' pointers. Advanced photographers looking through this book would appreciate the mastery of these photos, and novices would gain confidence through this guide to eventually achieve this level of photography.
Average customer rating:
- Exquisite - the definitive work on Mongol tantric art
|
Mongolia: The Legacy of Chinggis Khan
Patricia Ann Berger ,
Terese Tse Bartholomew ,
James E. Bosson ,
Heather Stoddard , and
National Geographic Society (U. S.)
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| History & Criticism
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Asian
| Regional
| History & Criticism
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Renaissance
| Schools, Periods & Styles
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
China
| Ancient
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Mongolia
| Asia
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| China
| Asia
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Culture
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0500237050 |
Customer Reviews:
Exquisite - the definitive work on Mongol tantric art.......1999-05-21
A stunning compilation in words and pictures, focussing on the arts and culture of the Mongols. Filled with sumptuous full-color plates of thankas and artifacts in museums and collections worldwide, this book traces the rise of Tantric Buddhism within Mongolia and the tremendous transformation in Mongol culture as a result. Featuring some of the finest sculptures to be found within the Buddhist artistic tradition, those created by the first Bogdo Gegen Zanabazar, among a multitude of other examples of the heights to which the Mongolians raised tantric art.
Book Description
This extremely lively-and intricately researched-book is a rousing romp through the history of inventions and their inventors through time, from the tiny paperclip-coined "the world's most valuable invention"-to the massive jet engine; from mastermind Leonardo DaVinci, to quirky, colorful, dual-cyclone-vacuum-cleaner inventor James Dyson. It could be called an "Encyclopedia of Inventions," but it feels like too much fun for this kind of appellation. Far from a stodgy compendium, this book provides the dates, details, and stories of how some of the most interesting and useful objects have been invented through time, presented in a colorful retro format and with a lively sense of humor. It fills a much-needed niche in the series of National Geographic reference books: consider it the pause that refreshes. The information is as equally authoritative as our other reference titles, but in this title you get another angle on the technical stuff-heavy on history and anecdote that accompanies the science of invention. Nine chapters are divided thematically and reveal how gadgets and gizmos have affected all aspects of our daily lives. They are: Around the House, In the Office, At the Doctor's, Getting Around, Cutting Edge, Eating and Drinking, Spare Time, Inventions Without Wings, and Patent Numbers. Entries include objects as diverse as the disposable diaper, zipper, hair dryer, photocopier, artificial heart, disposable syringe, intelligence test, hub gears, collapsible scooters for the handicapped, beta blockers, Viagrar, and the traffic light. The subjects covered range from the absurd to the life-saving, from the high-tech based on years of research and testing to the accident. The Post-it note, a product of the genius of Arthur Fry in 1974, was the lemonade of a failed attempt at making a strong glue. Fry succeeded in making a glue that didn't stick, and an invention that did. Percy Shaw's 1930s invention of road safety reflectors, called cat's eyes, was the product of a late night drive in Halifax where he was alerted to his veering off the road by the reflection of his headlights in a cat's eyes. The book's compelling and colorful layout-which mixes fun facts called "did you know", timelines, and photographs-offers a discrete entry with each spread, breaking down the scores of information into bite-sized bits for easy digestion. This reference book succeeds in making learning entertaining and fun.
Customer Reviews:
Interesting but... .......2005-12-07
Interesting enough but a definite British focus. And a caveat: the entry on "safety pin" includes a gigantic, eye-popping photo of Elizabeth Hurley in her infamous Versace safety pin dress. While it definitely shows a creative use for safety pins, the picture isn't particularly appropriate to include in this kind of book. So if you're thinking about buying for a kid, reconsider.
Seemingly ok in the factual sense but..........2005-06-15
Harrison is wrong to a degree when he talks about man being a pathological killer in the gun section of the book. The Gatling gun was invented by a man who was trying to end warfare (he was hoping the gun would be so scarily lethal that no one would want to go to war) yet no mention of Gatling's noble motive was made by Harrison. Also, how many people only carried, or even invented new forms of, guns to defend themselves against bears or wolves or hyenas etc. You know back in the 1800's many people (even those who lived in towns) had to put with occasional bear attacks and unwelcomed ursine visits and there were no tranquilizer guns in those days (unlike today) so to get a bear rendered harmless you had usually to shoot with bullets. Harrison your generalization on gunmakers was mean or clueless. But wrong either way.
Book of Inventions by Harrison.......2005-05-12
This National Geographic rendition contains details of critical
inventions over the past millenia. It is perfect for a student
science project in grammar or high school. For instance, typical
inventions depicted and described include:
- the alarm clock invented in Wurzburg , Germany 1350-80
- the permwave by Nessler of Germany
- cereal flakes by Kellogg in 1894
- the new tetrahedron milk carton in 1943
- the 1902 Carrier Air Conditioner 30-ton unit
- the 1867 patent for a big wheel
The presentation is complete, priced reasonably and easy to
read for students, scientists, historians and a wide constituency
of academicians everywhere.
Book Description
How do you “freeze” your child in action on the soccer field? People & Portraits, the second in the new, information-packed National Geographic Photography Field Guide series, supplies the answer to this question and much more as readers discover the secrets that have made National Geographic photography so well known.
People & Portraits reveals the best angles, lighting, and lenses to capture candid photos and portraits of family, friends, and everyone else. How to evoke a subject's true character on film, how to compose a formal family portrait—everything the reader needs to know about photographing people is in this book. Filled with easy-to-understand instructions from an accomplished National Geographic photographer, this guide will be accompanied by specialized volumes on wildlife, black and white, digital, adventure photography, and more. With the National Geographic Photography Field Guide series, novice to professional photographers will take the best pictures of their lives.
Customer Reviews:
Learn from those who make a living taking incredible pictures.......2007-03-08
A great deal of information packed into a small package. These are the people who give you the incredible National Geographic images explaining how they do it. From equipment, to brief explanations of the masters like Cartier-Bresson, they set forth their approaches to portraits,lighting, street photography, action, environmental and groups. Well worth the price and several reads. The equipment sections have lightened my load and my back is greatful. Remember, these people are often traveling alone, carrying all their gear, yet producing those memorable images. You might want to see the National Geographic Photographers dvd and watch them in action.
Useless.......2006-11-10
I really don't know what I was expecting. Maybe the "National Geographic" tag pulled me in. The only thing I got out of this book was to attempt to admire the photographs used as examples. Even then, they weren't that good. But what do I know. Make sure you know what you want before you spend your change on this.
It's Ok.......2006-09-20
Maybe I read too many of their photography how-to books, but I don't find this book that useful. Basically, if you read their "Secrets to Making Great Pictures" book, this is a repeat of that book and half the size. It's short, but it kinda wasted like a day or two of my life - the time it took me to finish the book.
Good ref.......2003-03-04
Organization is well above average but it's not a textbook so the index is still not as strong as a textbook.
But, it is a how-to book and chapters are to the point, clearly written. It's sitting with my other reference books, now that I've read it. Very handy ref. book.
Great Overview of Photography with Very Motivating Pictures.......2002-10-15
This book describes what you need to know to make good pictures of people. The book begins by discussing composition and then turns to equipment and lighting. The book then focuses on various types of people photography: street photography; people in action; portraits; familar subjects (family members) and the photographic essay. The book includes a list of useful web sites and explains how three professional photograhers work. They are Cary Wolinsky, Sisse Brimberg and Lynn Johnson. I love these different viewpoints because they provide food for thought.
The photographs leap off the page. They are stunning and make me want to get out and photograph. I highly recommend this book. It also is of a size that will easily fit in your camera bag.
Book Description
For more than one hundred years, the National Geographic Society has brought "the world and all that is in it" to millions worldwide. Through its unparalleled research, exploration, publications, and photography, the organization and its magazine have, in many ways, defined how we see the world. Now Robert Poole's Explorers House gives a vibrant, behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic, from its start in 1888 to its evolution into one of the most esteemed and iconic American institutions.
The story of the National Geographic is a family story of a media dynasty to rival the Sulzbergers or Luces. The Grosvenors, along with Alexander Graham Bell, who was linked to the family by marriage, created the institution's photography-based monthly, and the family has been on the masthead since the McKinley administration. Content to stay in the shadows, however, they have remained modestly obscured from public view while their media empire has grown to reach some forty million readers and viewers each month. The Grosvenor and Bell family history is not merely the story of the National Geographic; it is a captivating view of the sweep of American scientific, geographic, and political history since the late nineteenth century, rendered in fascinating human terms by Poole.
Moreover, Explorers House shows the inside workings of the magazine's editorial process, providing an unprecedented look behind some of National Geographic's ground-breaking articles and explorations-from Cousteau's famous Calypso voyages to the origins of Jane Goodall's research on chimpanzees to the institution's 1963 Mt. Everest expedition, the first to place an American on the summit. We also hear of the writers and photographers who are larger than life figures themselves, such as Luis Marden, the writer-photographer who unearthed the remains of the H.M.S. Bounty off Pitcairn Island, among many other feats.
Explorers House presents the National Geographic from the inside out-from its remarkable founding family to the very ends of the earth it investigates.
Customer Reviews:
Birth of a Publishing Icon.......2007-08-21
Inventors, geography, and nepotism all find their way into the pages of Robert M. Poole's history of National Geographic entitled
Explorer's House: National Geographic and the World It Made.
Beginning with Gardiner Hubbard and Alexander Graham Bell (best known for inventing the telephone)
Explorer's House tells the story of a great institution founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society, and its progeny,
National Geographic magazine.
Poole has expertly portrayed the story of one of the world's most successful magazines from its humble origins in a small office in Washington, D.C. to the billion-dollar a year company it has grown to be. He describes how a little gathering of men who shared and interest in geography that they wanted to promulgate hired a young man by name of Gilbert Grosvenor to be editor and manger of the little journal they produced for their members. Grosvenor went on to make the magazine the chief end of the society, using innovative publishing, marketing, and photography techniques to draw in several million readers today.
Poole's writing style reflects the nature of his long association with the magazine. Each chapter is an article itself and could easily have found printing in any major newspaper. Poole explores the relationship of the Bell and Grosvenor family to National Geographic. It was this family and their talent and psychological make-ups that made the magazine successful and so a study of them and their correspondence gives the reader a best sense of the germination and growth of the magazine. Poole had unprecedented access to former employees, the National Geographic archives, and the Grosvenor and Bell archives, allowing him to tell the story as no one else has.
Many other characters come into the history as well. Maynard Owen Williams, first foreign correspondent; Robert Peary, arctic explorer; and Jacques Costeau, deep sea explorer, and beneficiary of one of
National Geographic's research grants; all play significant roles in the story of
National Geographic. There is the story of opening Tutankhamen's tomb, the first American climb of Everest, the conquest of the North Pole, and Jane Goodall's research into primate behavior; all of which would not have been possible without the help of
National Geographic and its society.
Ultimately, the book is excellent, although there are some flaws. Poole's history some time skips backward and forward in time to often, making the reader very dependent on the dates mentioned. This lack of straightforward history is not extremely detrimental to the history, but the reader would be wise to pay attention to all dates mentioned. Poole also spends little time in the more recent past. The book was published in 2004 (begun in 2001) and glosses over a great deal of the 1990s and misses much of the early turn of the century.
However, for anyone in publishing, who has enjoyed
National Geographic in the past, or historians of Alexander Graham Bell and his family,
Explorer's House is both a helpful resource and fascinating story. Poole has shown how
National Geographic's devotion to geography, adventure, exploration, and learning has shaped American culture profoundly.Explorers House: National Geographic and the World It Made
An Insider gives the Back-Story on National Geographic.......2007-05-14
I grew up reading the National Geographic but never really gave a second thought to its genesis. This book lays it all out most readably from the earliest days before Alexander Graham Bell took the helm to 2003. The book is surprisingly candid about all of the personalities involved in publishing the magazine and running the Society -- especially since the Grosvenor family is said to have fully cooperated without editorial control over the end product. The tales of leadership and pettiness are interspersed with feats of discovery (disputed or not) from the likes of Admiral Byrd, Jane Goodall and Jacques Cousteau. This book really was a delightful read and I'm surprised more attention wasn't paid to it when first released.
"THE INCREASE AND DIFFUSION OF GEOGRAPHIC KNOWLEDGE'.......2006-05-25
EXPLORERS HOUSE; `NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AND
THE WORLD IT MADE' By Robert M. Poole
I remember as a kid waiting for the newest issue of National Geographic Magazine to arrive with its distinctive yellow border and its images of impossibly remote and exotic places: not to mention the Barenaked Natives. Many years later, I had the unmitigated temerity to actually APPLY for a job at the National Geographic Society, and received an unctuous and snotty rejection. (One doesn't just "apply" to the Society for work; the Society seeks one out, like Skull and Bones or the CIA which,come to think of it, are one and the same.)
It is that aloof and patrician attitude that Robert Poole explores in "Explorers House."
From its inception, the Society existed in the rarified stratosphere of Society. After all, its motto is:" A Society for the Increase and Diffusion of Geographic Knowledge." That sounds like something Ben Jon son or Cotton Mather might have written. It sure isn't NASCAR.
The insider's perspective of the National Geographic (Poole is the retired Executive Editor) reveals the insular, almost incestuous, relationship between Alexander Graham Bell, the Grosvenors, and the Hubbards, all of whom played major roles in the development of the Society.
The subtitle of the book is revelatory:" National Geographic and the World it made."
Like TIME magazine under Henry Luce's stewardship, the Geographic created the world in its own image.
The Geographic created the myth of Robert Peary (who may or may not have reached the North Pole),and subsidized the research of the Leakey's in Africa. It pumped millions into research. And late in its development, the Magazine shifted gears (in the view of its conservative Trustees) and began to cover the issue of race in a feature article on Harlem, global warming, and the environment. In the end, in the words of its editors, the mission of the Geographic is " to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge." Geography is defined in a broad sense as the description of land, sea, and universe; the interrelationship of man with the flora and fauna of earth; and the historical, cultural, scientific, governmental and social backgrounds of society. As society changes, the: magazine slowly evolves its style,format and subject matter to reflect that change without altering those policies."
And does it well.
An Amazing Look Behind the Scenes..........2006-01-26
Poole's Explorers House delves into the private, behind-the-scenes world of the National Geographic Society. The author, who retired as Executive Editor of the National Geographic magazine so he could write this unflinching biography, explores the formation of the NGS as a DC-based social club for government scientists, military men, inventors, and the all-important amateurs, and the connections and power of the Hubbard, Bell and Grosvenor families that controlled the organization for over a century (a family tree is included that helps decipher this sometimes confusing web of nepotism).
Poole discusses the member/subscriber scheme that fueled the Society's early days (and they were the first magazine to include subscription cards in their pages), the funding of various expeditions, the emergence of NG as a photographic powerhouse, the stock market crash and its effect on the NGS, their expansion into books, globes, television, and other magazines, and their transformation into a giant corporate entity. He also gives a good look at Alexander Graham Bell, a remarkable and caring man who's vision truly lifted the NGS to greatness.
Poole does not shy away from the NGS's black eyes, including the institutional - and sometimes blatant - racism that existed in one form or another, within the NGS until the 1970s, the Cook/Peary North Pole controversy, and the embarrassing pro-Hitler and Mussolini articles that appeared in NG in the late-1930s.
This book is not, and does not claim to be, about the various adventures funded by the NGS. While some explorations are discussed, this tome is primarily about the men and women who made these adventures possible. In that aspect this book is unique. The adventures of the NGS are available in numerous other books and, of course, in the magazine itself.
Understanding that I am a big supporter of the NGS and its mission, I really enjoyed this book. While it is a scholarly work (and to that end is heavily endnoted), it is still an excellent, well-flowing narrative that is at times astonishing, and always riveting. It has increased the enjoyment of my NG collection and I would recommend it to anyone with even the slightest interest in the workings of the NGS.
If I were to find fault, I would have wanted more photos other than the one posted at each chapter head (to resolve this, just take a look at any NG anniversary issue, the photos will jump to life after reading Poole's account). There are some statistics that are needlessly repeated and I would have like to know what kind of competition existed between the Smithsonian magazine and NG (Smithsonian is only mentioned in passing), but these are just pebbles in an otherwise long, beautiful road.
way cool.......2005-12-05
I stumbled upon this book, and am I glad I did. It's a lovely history of a great--and eccentric--American icon. And it's not boring, if you're worried about that. In fact, it's way cool, with lots of romance, adventure, history, and enthusiasm for life the founders of the place had. That love for life is why so many people are fond of National Geographic and how so many scientists--amateur and professional--found their life callings. Anyone I know with even a passing interest in anthropology, archaeology, wildlife, the sky, the sea, whatever, all of them say they trace their passion back to reading National Geographic when they were young. I plan on giving them this book for Christmas. Take a look at it; it's well worth it.
Customer Reviews:
a fantastic photo essay from the late 1800's to the 1980's.......1999-04-18
JUST ANOTHER GREAT WORK BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Average customer rating:
- 100 Easy Hikes
- wide selection, lacks specifity
- A must for every Washington Hiker
- Don't leave home without it.
- No bad, but there's better
|
National Geographic Guide to 100 Easy Hikes: Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware (National Geographic 100 Easy Hikes)
Barbara A. Noe
Manufacturer: National Geographic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Similar Items:
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60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Washington, DC: Including Alexandria, Frederick, and Leesburg (2nd Edition) (60 Hikes - Menasha Ridge)
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Outdoor Escapes Washington, D.C.: A Four-Season Guide (Outdoor Escape Series)
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Hiking Virginia, 2nd: A Guide to Virginia's Greatest Hiking Adventures
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50 Hikes in Maryland: Walks, Hikes, and Backpacks from the Allegheny Plateau to the Atlantic Ocean
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Country Walks Near Washington (Country Walks Book)
ASIN: 0792275888
Release Date: 2000-03-01 |
Book Description
This detailed guidebook takes you on the best easy hikes in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware -- all within a three-hour drive of the nation's capital. Included are an array of natural hikes, plus a couple of urban walks that bring the past to life.
Each hike:
* Is 5 miles or less, ideal for busy professionals, active families, and seniors.
* Guides your every step, indicating what color blazes to follow, which turns to take, and what landmarks to look for.
* Promises both exercise and something more -- a field full of bluebells, a secret waterfall, blizzards of snow geese, a forgotten colonial town.
* Points out perfect picnic spots, hidden historic sites, fauna and flora, the best seasons to visit, and places to sit in solitude and admire beautiful scenery.
* Is rated easy, medium, or difficult, so you know what you're in for.
* Indicates where you can bring your dog, and which trails permit bikes.
Customer Reviews:
100 Easy Hikes.......2007-01-10
I love this book! Many other hiking books for the D.C. area list hikes that are much further out, but this book lists easy to get to, fun hikes that don't require an entire day for the hike and travel time. I have purchased this book for friends in the area as well, and we are looking at future hikes together.
wide selection, lacks specifity.......2001-05-19
Just tried to use this book for hike in North Point State Park and found it difficult to follow. Luckily, we had another guide with a map. This guide often does not have maps and the directions lack points on the compass, i.e. north, south, east, west.
A must for every Washington Hiker.......2000-06-22
I have been looking for a book just like this for some time now. Having hiked a fair amount in and around Washington I was running short on ideas for new hikes. I had tried the Appalchian Trial Guides and some other books that are out there but felt that while they were great on trail details they didn't provide much of the practical information that you want when heading out to a new destination. Especially enjoyed the author's editorial comments and trail descriptions which combined to make the book a pleasure to read. The author must be a dog lover as well which earns her points in my book. She marks each trail to let dog owners know if their pooches are welcome.
Don't leave home without it........2000-05-05
Having been on many trails in the region (and now many more thanks to this guide), I highly recommend100 Easy Hikes. It's as good as it gets for hitting all the hot spots in the Washington DC area- from nearby jaunts on the trails of Rock Creek Park to the lesser known gems in the Shenandoah. Additionally, the author's insider tips and her clear directions to the trailheads make this guide exceptional.
I was particularly impressed the "best of" recommendations. They were right on target. Neither bluebells nor waterfall classics escaped her attention. The maps, as you'd expect from the National Geographic Society, are clear and easy to follow. Anyone looking for a basic resource on the area should have this guide.
No bad, but there's better.......2000-04-05
There's several books with basically the same theme and roughly the same hikes - e.g. those by Alan Fisher and those by the Appalachian Trail Club. This one does have more hikes described than any other single volume I've seen, but it doesn't have enough maps or sufficiently good trail descriptions to make it a hiking "bible". Only recommended for those folks who've already exhaused the other available guides and are looking for more.
Book Description
We Push Buttons, Flip Switches, zip zippers, dial dials, click remotes, tap keys, crank ignitions, and things just happen. But how? Why? What exactly makes things do what they do? If you're curious about everyday gadgets, machines, tools, and even industrial and medical processes, this book invites you to discover what makes them work. Here, in National Geographic's How Things Work: Everyday Technology Explained, you'll find the answers you've always wanted in clear language, accompanied by more than 400 full-color photographs and technical drawings, diagrams, and cutaways.
* Clear, concise text, crafted for curious minds by an award-winning science writer, backed by experts in the field
* Over 300 photographs, most in full color
* More than 100 technical illustrations -- diagrams, schematics, and cutaways -- created specially for this book
* Cross-references on each spread to similar technologies in other applications
* 272 pages, complete with an index, a glossary of scientific terms, and a list of books and articles for additional reading
Customer Reviews:
Great book that explains how things work in plain English........1999-07-13
This book covers a lot of areas: appliances, machines, buildings, transportation, communication, etc. Each topic was explained in plain language, yet as much as I wanted to know about that topic. Great pictures and illustrations too!
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