National Geographic 125 Years: Legendary Photographs, Adventures, and Discoveries That Changed the World

While most people who have spent hours leisurely going through their grandparents collection of old copies of National Geographic Magazine may not have realized it, they were enjoying some of the most important historical adaptations of photography, photojournalism and magazine reproduction.And while this book about the first 125 years of National Geographic may not have the most spectacular and beautiful photographs that have appeared in the journal over its first century and a quarter, it has a bunch of them. It also has a selection of many of the trail breaking examples of photographs to appear in magazine format.The purpose of the National Geographic Society was to disperse Geographic Information to the world. The National Geographic Magazine is technically the Society's Journal.It was Gilbert H. Grosvenor who "built the National Geographic Society into an extraordinarily successful institution. And he did so by emphasizing too things. One, he made pictures the language of the National Geographic magazine...And two, he stressed quality." The magazine editor wanted to see pictures and plenty of them.Within this book the reader will see pictures of the photographers at work with the latest cameras of the period, including the digital cameras they mostly use today.There is a 1909 photo of photographer O.D. Von Engeh during a Society Sponsored-expedition to Alaska. He is washing his freshly developed film negatives in the iceberg-choked seawater of the bay. On page 77, there is a wonderful 1910 hand colored black and white photo of a young, would-be rock star Japanese girl in traditional dress singing at the top of her lungs and playing a three-stringed samisen. The picture looks like it could have been taken yesterday as far as typifying a young musician's dream. Those images and the Autochrome (self-coloring) ones began appearing in National Geographic in July 1914. The era of color magazine photography had arrived.The paper that National Geographic is printed on is guaranteed to last for at least 200 years.How's that for quality printing?This is a fascinating book about how the National Geographic Society and its Journal and other publications came about. It's a fun read and illustrated history of history.While this joke isn't included in this book, in the 1950s and 1960s there was a joke about the photographers of LIFE Magazine and the National Geographic. The Geographic photographer would climb to the top of a pile of trash and garbage in order to take his beautiful color photos from the higher perch. The LIFE photographer would stand back and photograph the garbage.This book deals with the beautiful pictures and people of the planet, and it's only recently that Geographic has been photographing pollution and trash and even then the pictures are often beautiful.

I enjoyed the background information about the beginning of the National Geographic Society. The articles about the people who were prominent in the establishment of, and the continuation of the magazine were insightful. Loved the photos-as always-and interesting tidbits about the different photographers too.

My sister recomnmended I get this for my 16-year-old history and adventure-loving nephew for Christmas. I did and he loved it. It's packed with so many fantastic pictures and exciting stories that he will be reading it for many more months to come. I would definitely recommend this to a firiend.

The copy I bought used arrived in good condition aside from a cut across the dust jacket.But the content of the book itself is too enjoyable to remove even half a star for something so minor. A detailed history of the Society and its explorers (even the more minor ones get their due), beautifully illustrated with photos and graphics, offering a look at how the magazine and society have changed over the past century-plus. To longtime subscribers (and/or younger geo-nerds like myself who've inherited older issues from relatives), it's fun to read through all of the highlights of those past decades, blow-by-blow, and try to guess which milestone is next. An excellent book and a worthy successor to C.D.B. Bryan's centennial history of the Society. On to 150!

Very informative. Good reading.

I bought this book for my grandson.He said it's great!I would have loved a few more photos.I do think it's the kind of beautiful book you cherish forever.

The photography was exceptional, as always, as were the the subjects and articles that were included. How does one condense 125 years? National Geographic has done a superlative job!I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in history, anthropology, space, science, technology, the world about them and mankind in general.

Perfect as a special gift or beautiful coffee table book. I gave this to my mother-in-law and she loved it. She flipped it open right away and had a hard time tearing herself away.It's a heavy and big book, and makes that much more of an impact.

This used book was described by the seller as being "as new". It certainly was that. I've seen 'new' books in worse condition in bookstores. Needless to say, as a National Geographic publication, the content is superb. Through wonderful pictures, it covers key events in world history during the life of the magazine.

Ottimo e pienamente soddisfatto!!!

My Father was a a long time subscriber. He absolutely loved it

I gave this as a gift to my Father on his 75th Birthday. He loves it and is enjoying the pictures and stories. Thank You National Geographic. My Father and Family have been a fan of this Magazine for many years. Thank You Amazon for giving me the opportunity to send it to my Father who is many miles away from where I live. It arrived in perfect timing for his Birthday.Regards,Margaret Tune

Great photographs, but very less than expected in a book from Mat Geo which is famous for Photographs. The book is worth adding to your collection and referred to, to keep your memories alive of the bygone eras. I suggest this book to serious enthusiasts of not only reading and travel but also for aspiring photographers.