Life

by Lennart Nilsson

A groundbreaking visual account of human development, from DNA to stem cells, from the world’s leading scientific photographer, Lennart Nilsson. Perhaps no studies of human development have been as important since those of Leonardo da Vinci at the end of the fifteenth century.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Science, Art

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Lennart Nilsson was a Swedish photographer and scientist. He was noted for his photographs of human embryos and other medical subjects.

Reviews

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don't review coffee table books, but this one is so exceptional. The author/artist/photographer is the man who invented embryonic photography, but in this work, it doesn't stop at birth. There are beautiful portraits of humans at all stages of life from the inside out. Each page is a fascinating work of art and that makes this amazing book a must own!

[Ninja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning photos, minimal text which is mostly a short sentence describing the photo. A few sections at the back for a write-up giving context to the book and Nilsson, tying in with the history of the examination / drawing of the human body, eg by da Vinci.
The book starts off with a section on embryos, moving through to the fetus, with time marked since conception. It then moves on to organs of the body as well as some general coverage of cells, bacteria, viruses. The photo of a cell covered with SARS-CoV-1 was very evocative.
I would have liked some note on scale or magnification, since the photos all differ, and when you're looking at such microscopic detail it can be easy to get lost.
Probably the best art book I've read all year.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's incredible that these images were taken in the 60's. Every photograph is detailed and beautiful, and shows a scene that should be impossible to see. Aside from a word or two explaining what each image is, there are no descriptions accompanying the pictures. This is a book of photographs only.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating work.

[Matthew Brill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and beautiful book for anyone having a baby that doesn't get squeamish about biology.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous book of magnified color photographs that depict all manner of the parts of our bodies, to include sexual reproduction and cellular construction. I loved that the narrative was so short, allowing the magnificence of the photos to tell the tale and we were able to 'read' this giant book in about an hour. The details of sexual intercourse are mostly alluded to, although there's a diagram and photo at the end that a bit more graphic. This book could serve as a good, basic introduction into the concept of human reproduction, and a parent could go as in-depth as necessary to answer a child's questions. But overall, I would recommend this book for parents to read with older children, to really allow them to understand the beauty and mystery of the human body. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

[Katie Tatton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning photography. I wish there was more information in the book---it contains just the barest captions, which are also unclear as to exactly how old the fetus is (4 weeks post conception, or 4 weeks post LMP?)

[Brent Barnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just got this for my birthday! I love it! The first part shows Nilsson's amazing pictures of children growing in the womb. The latter sections highlight various organs of the body, like the brain, etc. He makes all these things look majestic and fascinating, if you can believe it.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. Beautiful.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get bogged down with texts and open this book up, and everything is exciting and interesting again.

[Tweller83 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible photos from an electron microscope. Heat view of two adults might make it a high school only book but is amazing.

[Natalie]

Absolutely amazing. Lennart Nilsson's photography of the unexplored space of inside the body is awe-inspiring. It is magical, and its effects go beyond the artistic world into science.

[Rachel]

This book is absolutely amazing, the photos are incredible. He makes everything in the body beautiful.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing like the images in this book. I got it from a $4.95 bargain pile in the B&N entranceway. Now it sits on my coffee table and mesmerizes guests on the regular. Stunning photography.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS BOOK! So facinating the pics of the fetus and the different views of life.

[Ardem · Rating 4 out of 5]

A precious book...with beautiful photography!