The World's Greatest Lighthouses

by Annamaria Mariotti

Escape into these spectacular color photographs of more than 50 of the world's most beautiful lighthouses. They hail from North American shores such as the Outer Banks, Nova Scotia, Bermuda, and the California and Oregon coasts, as well as throughout the Mediterranean, the North Sea, the South Pacific, Asian waters, and the Caribbean.This book is dedicated to the lighthouses of history, legends, films, novels, and personal reveries. Spectacular Atlantic storms rage just outside the cozy interiors, which often contain the most unusual furniture. The text covers the individual characteristics, location, and history of these extraordinary coastal monuments, together with their technical development and the complex psychology of the modern-day hermits who live in them. This book is for all who love the seacoast and its architecture.

175 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 2005

Reviews

[Thabata · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving three stars here not because of the exquisite photos or the information about the lighthouses selected as the world's greatest (although, this is but a matter of taste, and I would have a different list), but because of the graphic design of the book.

As a graphic designer myself, I could not forgive the horrible choice of typeface and the unnecessary small size of it - this book was either designed by someone who was not a graphic designer, or it was not designed to be read. Either way, it was so unpleasant that towards the end, I decided to give my eyes a break and just enjoy the photos.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

If like me you're obsessed by Fresnel Lenses and what range these beauties emit their warning light out to sea, then this is the book for you. Mariotti has compiled a beautiful list of notable lighthouses around the world and in this unique elongated style of physical book, shows them off with stunning photographs and a few pages of history about each. I now have an even longer list of lighthouses around the world that I'd like to visit or as Mariotti beautifully describes them 'the skyscrapers of the sea' or the 'sentinels of the night'.

[LAMONT D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to us for a gift. It is quite large measuring in around 15 inches tall by 8 inches wide and quite heavy. A perfect coffee table book if you have room for it. The photographs are just amazing and so colorful. If you are a fan of lighthouses (and who wouldn't be), then you would enjoy at least paging through looking at all the amazing pictures. The history of each lighthouse is detailed and is fascinating to read as well. The author is truly an expert by all accounts.

[Mark H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb colour photos. Though the choice of lighthouses is very much skewed to the USA.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the way the book was laid out and found the history of the lighthouses fascinating! Pictures are georgeous!!