Nature's Chaos

by Eliot Porter, James Gleick

The essence of the earth's beauty lies in chaos, in the disorder of grasses strewn in a meadow, the blotching of green lichen on a tree trunk. Eliot Porter's photographs of the natural world, spanning thirty-five years and five continents -- from an Antarctic ice floe to an American desert to an Icelandic lava field -- reveal in mesmerizing ways what scientists are beginning to see for themselves: the patterns, relations, and interactions present in nature's disorder and wildness. This is the perfect marriage of image and text -- brilliant full-color photographs by the preeminent nature photographer of his generation together with an illuminating essay by the widely praised author of Chaos.

Genres: Science, Photography, Nature, Nonfiction, Mathematics, Art

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you make it through Gleick's book, Chaos? Even if you didn't you have probably heard about fractals and this book with Porter's many pictures is a much easier read. Gleick provides text that matches well with the 100+ graphics. A very quick read (at least the first time through).

[Valerie Kite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite beautiful! I once had a hardcopy long lost of Porter's Appalachian Spring. Hard to imagine such beauty. The man had talent unimaginable.
2 photographers were magnificent : Ansel Adams in black and white and Porter in color.

[Dan Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

By some margin, my favorite of Eliot's photography books. Though "The West" comes close. And one familiar with his work, should know this is perhaps a significant claim. Rented this from library for first read, will be purchasing it in due time.

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Gleick’s words are brief, they are powerful and beautifully paired with Porter’s photos, 10/10

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know, I'm underappreciating a master. I should love this, but I just don't. Sending my copy out on paperbackswap in prep for my next move.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice combination of photography and chaos theory

[Calen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many pretty pictures! The text doesn't add much but the photography doesn't require much so it works.

[Kerim]

Good book

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

The photography is better than the text.

[Julie Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous!