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Human: A Portrait of Our World
Over the past three years, Yann Arthus-Bertrand and the GoodPlanet Foundation have gathered more than 2,000 interviews in 70 countries, while capturing portraits and aerial photographs. Human explores fundamental themes—Justice, Tolerance, Poverty, War, Happiness, and more—and each chapter includes excerpts from interviews and essays written by eminent journalists and human rights activists. The book will launch simultaneously with the movie, which will be distributed worldwide for free, with screenings at the United Nations in New York as well as in major international cities. With its collection of inspiring, spectacular images, allied to the unforgettable testimonies of mankind— Human is a landmark achievement in documentary film and book publishing, a compelling portrait of humanity at the beginning of the 21st century.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2015
6 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Yann Arthus-Bertrand
231 books49 followersYann Arthus-Bertrand was born in a renowned jewellers' family founded by Claude Arthus-Bertrand and Michel-Ange Marion. His sister Catherine is one of his closest collaborators. He's been interested in nature and wildlife from an early age.
From the age of 17 he became involved in the movie industry. He gave up the movie industry in 1967 to run the Château de Saint Augustin wildlife park in Château sur Allier (centre of France). He then left the country with his wife Anne when he was 30 (1976) to live in Kenya in the Massai Mara national park. He lived amongst the Massai tribe for 3 years to study the behaviour of a lions’ family and took daily pictures of them during those years. He thus discovered a new passion for photography and the beauty of landscapes when observed from above in hot air balloons. He understood the power of a picture and how to communicate using this means.
He came back to France in 1981, published a photography book Lions in 1983, and became an international journalist, reporter and photographer specialising in documentaries on sports, wildlife and aerial photography for French magazines such as Paris Match and Geo. He photographed ten Paris-Dakar rallies. Every year he published a book on Rolland Garros, the tennis French open. He also took pictures every year at the Paris International Agricultural Show, and of Dian Fossey and gorillas in Rwanda.
In 1994 Arthus-Bertrand started a thorough study on the state of the Earth sponsored by UNESCO. Therefore he made a picture inventory of the world’s most beautiful landscapes taken from helicopters and balloons. The book from this project, Earth from Above (‘la Terre vue du ciel’) sold over 3 million copies and was translated into 24 languages.
From the age of 17 he became involved in the movie industry. He gave up the movie industry in 1967 to run the Château de Saint Augustin wildlife park in Château sur Allier (centre of France). He then left the country with his wife Anne when he was 30 (1976) to live in Kenya in the Massai Mara national park. He lived amongst the Massai tribe for 3 years to study the behaviour of a lions’ family and took daily pictures of them during those years. He thus discovered a new passion for photography and the beauty of landscapes when observed from above in hot air balloons. He understood the power of a picture and how to communicate using this means.
He came back to France in 1981, published a photography book Lions in 1983, and became an international journalist, reporter and photographer specialising in documentaries on sports, wildlife and aerial photography for French magazines such as Paris Match and Geo. He photographed ten Paris-Dakar rallies. Every year he published a book on Rolland Garros, the tennis French open. He also took pictures every year at the Paris International Agricultural Show, and of Dian Fossey and gorillas in Rwanda.
In 1994 Arthus-Bertrand started a thorough study on the state of the Earth sponsored by UNESCO. Therefore he made a picture inventory of the world’s most beautiful landscapes taken from helicopters and balloons. The book from this project, Earth from Above (‘la Terre vue du ciel’) sold over 3 million copies and was translated into 24 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 16, 2016
This is the companion book for a film that I consider the greatest and most important use of the film medium. Yes, truly.
If I were to choose a film to put in a time capsule, or to show to extraterrestrials long after our extinction, it would be Human, by Jean Arthus-Bertrand. It is us. It is our world. It is simply phenomenal, essential viewing.
This book includes some of his magnificent photography, bunches of essays and articles, statistics, and lots of resources for additional reading or to get involved. It is all arranged - like the film - by topic: poverty, war, women, tolerance, etc. The written pieces range from okay to incredible.
The section on War was my favorite, particularly the piece on the civil defense forces of Aleppo.
I wish it was a hardback, but the softcover is lavishly produced and worthy of admiration. Still can't shake the "magazine" feel, and I feel like years down the road the articles may feel dated, heavy as they are on statistics and current events.
The film, however, will be just as stunning decades from now. Seriously, watch it. The full, extended edition is free on YouTube.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vdb4XGV...
If I were to choose a film to put in a time capsule, or to show to extraterrestrials long after our extinction, it would be Human, by Jean Arthus-Bertrand. It is us. It is our world. It is simply phenomenal, essential viewing.
This book includes some of his magnificent photography, bunches of essays and articles, statistics, and lots of resources for additional reading or to get involved. It is all arranged - like the film - by topic: poverty, war, women, tolerance, etc. The written pieces range from okay to incredible.
The section on War was my favorite, particularly the piece on the civil defense forces of Aleppo.
I wish it was a hardback, but the softcover is lavishly produced and worthy of admiration. Still can't shake the "magazine" feel, and I feel like years down the road the articles may feel dated, heavy as they are on statistics and current events.
The film, however, will be just as stunning decades from now. Seriously, watch it. The full, extended edition is free on YouTube.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vdb4XGV...
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December 13, 2018I love you I love you I love you I bow to you.
September 27, 2022
Book full of diversified contents including justice, war, poverty, and culture. It opens up new perspective and lets you know how the world is from others’ point of views. This book is also accompanied with photographs to give you a glimpse of how different people in the world live.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews