From Library Journal
Wolfe (Living Wild) and Gilders (Reflections of a Whale-Watcher) are not as comprehensive or informative as Reader and, alas, revive that dubious perception of Africa as primarily a land of wildlife and untamed terrain, an unfortunate aspect of the Westerner's fascination with the continent. They provide stunning pictures of already familiar wildlife and landscape, while the accompanying text crusades for conservation and preservation. To Wolfe and Gilders, Africa exists only in those regions where exotic wildlife abounds. South and East Africa are thus transformed into surrogates for the entire continent; a limited view indeed! Reader's volume is recommended for all public and academic libraries, while Wolfe and Gilders's is recommended for larger public libraries only. Edward K. Owusu-Ansah, Coll. of Staten Island Lib., CUNY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Booklist
It is difficult to find enough superlatives to describe photographer Wolfe. Winner of numerous awards honoring both his photographs and his commitment to conservation, he is one of the most published nature photographers today. Africa presents a selection from 20 years of his career, and it easily makes a place for itself in the crowded field of books about the second largest continent. Divided into five sections, the photos are grouped by habitat type: savannah, woodland, rain forest, wetland and desert. Each section begins with an essay introducing the reader to the area's ecosystem, animals, and people. The photographs that follow are simply amazing. Following the format of his Living Wild [BKL O 15 00], Wolfe has included numerous panoramic views that place the animals in the context of their environment. Scattered throughout are intimate close-ups of smaller creatures, such as lizards and kingfishers. "Notes from the Field" provide Wolfe's jottings about the photos, including camera and lens types and exposure readings. Nancy Bent
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
