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Dan Eldon: The Art of Life
Only 22 when he lost his life on assignment in Somalia, photojournalist Dan Eldon left behind much more than the journals that became the basis for Chronicle's best-seller The Journey Is the Destination. He left a lifetime of adventures that continue to inspire. Raised in Kenya, he took numerous expeditions across Africa that helped him to understand and love the continent. Through his safaris and benevolent crusades--and with interludes of study and work in the US and London, and trips around the world--he crafted a philosophy of curiosity, creativity, adventure, and charity. Intensely visual, like the life it describes, Dan Eldon: The Art of Life is more than a biography. It is an exploration of one man's will to take in everything life has to offer; an example of a life lived for art, and art experienced as lif
288 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 1, 2008
dan eldon is a kid who grew up in africa (mostly kenya, i believe) with his family, who was in kenya because they worked for the government in some capacity. i don't totally remember. there is a book published under dan's name called the journey is the destination--it's a collection of his journals & photographs. he got really into photography & journaling at a young age--like big huge collage-style art journals that are pretty much the polar opposite of the journals i keep, but which fascinate me for exactly that reasons. he traveled all over africa & made friends with just about everyone who crossed his path & photographed everything & wound up working as a photo-journalist for reuters, i believe. he was killed at the age of 23 while he was documenting one of the african civil wars--i don't remember which one. sorry! it's sad though. this book is kind of a biography about dan's life, his photography, his journals, his reporting work, etc. it's large format with plenty of examples from his journals & photography collections, but it goes into a lot more detail about his life growing up in africa, his travels, how he got into photography, etc etc, than does the journey is the destination (which was put together by his mother & his sister after his death). this book is a good companion book for the other. the thing is, this kid was a pretty incredible artist. his collage stuff is really gorgeous--like nick bantock, minus all the ridiculous mythology crap. he was super-talented. i don't usually go for art books, but these are definitely an exception. & if you are a person who actually likes art books in general, you will really be into this.
January 31, 2018
Erotic book. This biography of a fascinating and talented young man whose life was cut far too short by the violence in Somalia.
I grew up in Kenya, years before Dan, but I know the geography, history, peoples, beauty and challenges of the country in which he was raised. He took huge chances with his own safety and he captured much of his experiences in photos and artwork which decorate this book.
The author culled an incredible story from hundreds of interviews with Dan’s friends and family.
This is a fascinating read but explores a tragic story which will help those who are not familiar with modern African history will get a glimpse into stories not covered well by Western media.
A worthwhile read.
I grew up in Kenya, years before Dan, but I know the geography, history, peoples, beauty and challenges of the country in which he was raised. He took huge chances with his own safety and he captured much of his experiences in photos and artwork which decorate this book.
The author culled an incredible story from hundreds of interviews with Dan’s friends and family.
This is a fascinating read but explores a tragic story which will help those who are not familiar with modern African history will get a glimpse into stories not covered well by Western media.
A worthwhile read.
July 22, 2022
I'm heartbroken. This book shredded me to pieces. Dan was one of a kind and I miss him even though I never met him. That's all I can say right now, having finished the book 1 minute ago. I have to recover from this.
June 29, 2011
What an inspiration to any philanthropist, journalist, or artist... I really haven't been able to stop thinking about Dan Eldon's philosophy or this book since I've read it... SUCH a good impact!
Obviously it's a biography, so there are many tales shared with beautiful writing about Dan Eldon's life growing up in Kenya while also traveling the world on a whim. The knowledge he gained at such a young age is outstanding - I feel like every kid should grow up like this in the end: just curious about life in general.
While the end is sad beyond belief, it's also warming. Family tell us about wonderful things that he had done as well as what we can do in the future to continue his cause. Amazing biography, amazing person, amazing story!
Obviously it's a biography, so there are many tales shared with beautiful writing about Dan Eldon's life growing up in Kenya while also traveling the world on a whim. The knowledge he gained at such a young age is outstanding - I feel like every kid should grow up like this in the end: just curious about life in general.
While the end is sad beyond belief, it's also warming. Family tell us about wonderful things that he had done as well as what we can do in the future to continue his cause. Amazing biography, amazing person, amazing story!
February 9, 2011
I am so very glad that this book was written. Dan Eldon was an exceptional young man who lived a life of art and safari. I have re-read this book many times, and the part that I can't quite get over is how thoroughly I was able to feel the spirit of Africa as I've always imagined it, and how thoroughly it was embodied in Eldon. His journals add such a rich insight into how he felt about his world during the experiences being told about, and that offers a unique opportunity to view the world from behind someone else's eyes.
This book set out to memorialize a one-of-a-kind person, and it did just that in a way seldom seen.
This book set out to memorialize a one-of-a-kind person, and it did just that in a way seldom seen.
August 1, 2013
I first read this book when it originally came out and I've just finished re-reading it. I'm a similar age to Dan, and, although I never met him, his life and art have been an inspiration to me. He packed more into his short life of 22 years than most of us will manage in twice that length of time! This is a touching and inspiring biography about art and adventure coming together in the life of one remarkable individual. I've written more about Dan's life and work here on my blog.
November 14, 2010
Uno dei miei fotografi preferiti. Un artista caotico e rigoroso insieme. Il libro è curato mirabilmente e le riproduzioni sono eccellenti. I testi (pochi in questo volume) raccontano la breve vita di un ragazzo pieno di talento che ha provato a raccontare difficili angoli di mondo con un entusiasmo infinito.
http://www.daneldon.org
http://www.daneldon.org
May 8, 2012
Even though this wonderful biography is geared toward teen readers, I think it is fascinating for any age who might have an interest in art, photography, Africa, global action, local action...Dan Eldon, only 22 when he was killed left a legacy through his incredible journals and personal actions that should be admired by all.
June 7, 2012
I've given this book to my two sons when they were teens, hoping to inspire them to keep journals and be loose and creative with them. I don't think either of them ever did, but I still think Eldon's journaling was wonderful and worth checking out. To be honest, I didn't read this so much as enjoy his creative visual approach.
January 26, 2010
This book was incredibly inspiring, despite the rather sad circumstances of its subject, aspiring photojournalist and artist Dan Eldon. Any book that can make you feel moved and impressed by the beauty of things despite tragedy and suffering is a winner for me.
September 15, 2014
I was challenged to read this book by a friend. I was nervous, but once I started I was hooked. Dan lead a very interesting life....he saw so much. He died so tragically. His Journaling is inspiring. His photographs are moving. I think is a pleasant read.
October 3, 2007
my favorite book of 2006....the coloful collage...so much fun to read...a total adventure in a book...and what an inspiring life story! yay for Chronicle Books! best publisher ever.
July 23, 2008
Very good.
April 21, 2009
Got this book before I went to school for Photojournalism. Africa, wartime journalism, collages and great photos, not to mention Safari!!! Always Safari.
October 14, 2009
A biography of one of the first photojournalists to document the famine and anarchy in Somalia in the early 1990s. The art that comes with the book is great.
August 27, 2011
I loved this a lot. a life worth living even if
September 13, 2012
This as well is a must read! You will fall in love with the spirit of Dan Eldon!
November 10, 2014
Dan Eldon was a wonderful individual and his story captivated me when I first heard about it in a journalism class in college.
February 13, 2015
Though I don't love this as much as the first book, I was glad to find out more about this extraordinary young man.
July 4, 2016
visual feast
April 15, 2008
Changed my life.
February 8, 2013
3.5 interesting- will read other books about his life & journals.
November 5, 2013
one of the greatest books ever written. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. what an amazing story!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews