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National Geographic Spectacle: Rare and Astonishing Photographs
An exquisite photo collection showcasing awe-inducing moments from around the world, including the aurora borealis, cities made of neon lights, a great wildebeest migration, a contortionist on display--and more.
In life, there are certain sights that are as beautiful as they are unforgettable--from a majestic supercell to the secrets of a deep blue ice cave to the world's largest library. These fascinating spectacles shock us in their diversity, their complexity, and their epic scale, bringing us the miraculous beauty of our planet. Featuring more than 200 color images, including acclaimed photography from the National Geographic Image Collection, this volume presents a dazzling array of natural and manmade wonders, unusual phenomena, and amusing curiosities. Each page will enlighten and inspire, presenting our world at its best.
In life, there are certain sights that are as beautiful as they are unforgettable--from a majestic supercell to the secrets of a deep blue ice cave to the world's largest library. These fascinating spectacles shock us in their diversity, their complexity, and their epic scale, bringing us the miraculous beauty of our planet. Featuring more than 200 color images, including acclaimed photography from the National Geographic Image Collection, this volume presents a dazzling array of natural and manmade wonders, unusual phenomena, and amusing curiosities. Each page will enlighten and inspire, presenting our world at its best.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
2 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
National Geographic Society
4,223 books1,114 followersThe National Geographic Society (NGS), headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States, is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world.
Founded in 1888, its interests include geography, archaeology, and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation, and the study of world culture and history. The National Geographic Society's logo is a yellow portrait frame—rectangular in shape—which appears on the margins surrounding the front covers of its magazines and as its television channel logo. Through National Geographic Partners (a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company), the Society operates the magazine, TV channels, a website, worldwide events, and other media operations.
Founded in 1888, its interests include geography, archaeology, and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation, and the study of world culture and history. The National Geographic Society's logo is a yellow portrait frame—rectangular in shape—which appears on the margins surrounding the front covers of its magazines and as its television channel logo. Through National Geographic Partners (a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company), the Society operates the magazine, TV channels, a website, worldwide events, and other media operations.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 12, 2021
“If the world could remain within a frame like a painting on a wall, then I think we’d see the beauty, then we’d stand staring in awe.”
– Conor Oberst (p. 359)
Fantastic images of lots of cool things I’d never have the chance to see otherwise.
– Conor Oberst (p. 359)
Fantastic images of lots of cool things I’d never have the chance to see otherwise.
February 4, 2019
One of three coffee table travel/photography reads in this house now, to think ahead to summer travel. This one is an October 2018 release. They're not shy or apologetic about their goal, either right up front, in the subtitle: To create a "spectacle" through "astonishing" photographs, and if you have ever seen National Geographic photography, you know they can do it. Maybe some people think of National Geographic as a kind of cliché—I even called it a coffee table book--but make no mistake about it, this is great work, just inspiring. State of the art photography technology, with soul. Slow down, get outside, walk around, and observe.
Here’s 12 great ones from the book:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/bo...
Here’s 12 great ones from the book:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/bo...
February 10, 2021
Magical, vibrant, and amazing photographs from National Geographic of our natural and manmade world. One picture looking down from the edge of a skyscraper and another of a mountain goat feeding on the side of a cliff made me dizzy. Images dazzle of flames leaping, lights streaking, water spurting, people leaping, Northern lights flickering, and a Christmas ornament fracturing. There are unforgettable photographs of a mud-caked water buffalo, a Chilean scorpion carrying her young, a pride of marching lions, a dazzle of zebras, sea stars adorning a jelly fish, posing praying mantises in Cyprus, millions praying at Mecca, a Chinese mountainous region aglow in the morning light, and paper lanterns afloat in the Thai sky. I highly recommend you view this collection to remind us of these captured moments of chaos, serenity, beauty, and wonder of the spectacular world in which we live, especially as many of us are confined at home due to COVID-19.
May 24, 2019
Book blurb: Featuring more than 200 color images, including acclaimed photography from the National Geographic Image Collection, this volume presents a dazzling array of natural and manmade wonders, unusual phenomena, and amusing curiosities. Each page will enlighten and inspire, presenting our world at its best.
I've been a National Geographic fan for decades. Their bevy of photographers are some of the best in the world, so while I was not surprised at the quality of these photographs, I was awed nonetheless. Wow. That was the world that most escaped my lips while savoring my way through this beautiful collection of art. This blue marble we all share is a rare gem indeed.
I've been a National Geographic fan for decades. Their bevy of photographers are some of the best in the world, so while I was not surprised at the quality of these photographs, I was awed nonetheless. Wow. That was the world that most escaped my lips while savoring my way through this beautiful collection of art. This blue marble we all share is a rare gem indeed.
November 5, 2018
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and National Geographic for my free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Who doesn’t love looking at the gorgeous photos featured in National Geographic? I officially want to travel to every single featured location.
Each photo is vibrant and nothing shy of breathtaking. It’s no surprise that a book titled Spectacle from NatGeo has some of the most astonishing photos that I’ve ever laid eyes on.
My favorites are the double page spreads and the photos of nature that are juxtaposed with similar photos of people. If you’re in the market for a new coffee table book and love epic photos of nature, this is the book for you.
Who doesn’t love looking at the gorgeous photos featured in National Geographic? I officially want to travel to every single featured location.
Each photo is vibrant and nothing shy of breathtaking. It’s no surprise that a book titled Spectacle from NatGeo has some of the most astonishing photos that I’ve ever laid eyes on.
My favorites are the double page spreads and the photos of nature that are juxtaposed with similar photos of people. If you’re in the market for a new coffee table book and love epic photos of nature, this is the book for you.
November 18, 2022
This book had some awesome pictures! I looked at them with my sister and we loved it.
January 31, 2019
This was beautiful. Some of the pictures made me laugh out loud. Some were stunning.
January 1, 2019
I'm incredibly excited that the only book tour group I work with has started featuring books from National Geographic. Every one I've received, including this beautiful coffee table book, has been well constructed. This particular book has vivid prints on paper that feels of high quality. I'm impressed by the way the shape of the book has been made to accommodate pictures with many different aspect ratios. I felt a few of the widest pictures were done a disservice by the split caused by the spine of the book, but the vast majority of the pictures were showcased very well. The amount of text was perfect - one sentence describing each picture, plus the location. Each caption was easily associated with a picture without being intrusive.
The pictures themselves were a mixed bag for me. Mostly, I think this just reflects that what different people find spectacular will vary. A few of the photographs bothered me because they were noisy, taken in dark settings with a resulting graininess. I thought this led to a lower quality picture than I expect from National Geographic. My only other complaint is that I didn't always find the pictures of people particularly interesting. Some of the portraits were stunning. Other pictures of people won me over with their charm, primarily due to striking lighting or vibrant colors. Others just didn't hold my interest. The nature and landscape photography in this book was more uniformly to my liking. As someone who does nature photography, I was particularly inspired by pictures of the fast-moving hummingbird; close-ups of insects; and pictures of animals that are hard to find. These were incredible.
Like any book that is a work of art, whether you like individual pictures here will be a matter of taste. Personally, I would recommend this collection as largely of incredibly high quality pictures and of high quality construction. I can also say that the vast majority of the pictures worked for me. It was common for me to turn the page and be completely blown away. There's also great variety, making this the perfect collection to entertain anyone sitting at your coffee table and wanting to pass the time.
PS - Something I didn't notice until a second look through after finishing this review is that every pair of photos that are shown on adjoining pages has some connection - shape, color, pattern, or theme. This added another element of enjoyment, putting the pictures clearly in conversation with one another.
For other reviews, see the other stops on the tour.This review was originally posted on Doing Dewey
The pictures themselves were a mixed bag for me. Mostly, I think this just reflects that what different people find spectacular will vary. A few of the photographs bothered me because they were noisy, taken in dark settings with a resulting graininess. I thought this led to a lower quality picture than I expect from National Geographic. My only other complaint is that I didn't always find the pictures of people particularly interesting. Some of the portraits were stunning. Other pictures of people won me over with their charm, primarily due to striking lighting or vibrant colors. Others just didn't hold my interest. The nature and landscape photography in this book was more uniformly to my liking. As someone who does nature photography, I was particularly inspired by pictures of the fast-moving hummingbird; close-ups of insects; and pictures of animals that are hard to find. These were incredible.
Like any book that is a work of art, whether you like individual pictures here will be a matter of taste. Personally, I would recommend this collection as largely of incredibly high quality pictures and of high quality construction. I can also say that the vast majority of the pictures worked for me. It was common for me to turn the page and be completely blown away. There's also great variety, making this the perfect collection to entertain anyone sitting at your coffee table and wanting to pass the time.
PS - Something I didn't notice until a second look through after finishing this review is that every pair of photos that are shown on adjoining pages has some connection - shape, color, pattern, or theme. This added another element of enjoyment, putting the pictures clearly in conversation with one another.
For other reviews, see the other stops on the tour.This review was originally posted on Doing Dewey
September 2, 2019
Another magnificent around the world journey from National Geographic. Photos of life, people, places, animals, buildings nature and much more. People in motion, animals in motion, stationary objects and many other topics besides. Throughout each section quotes, relating to the photos, were sprinkled throughout. Also, several times in each section were what I called comparison photos. Two page spreads where the photos on each side related to each other, but were so vastly different. The book was divided up into four sections Chaos, Surprise, Beauty and Awe.
Some of my favorites in each category:
Chaos
Sandstorm in Phoenix - Two page spread. In the foreground a city skyline and highway, in the background a several thousand foot cloud of dust and sand that literally looked like a disaster movie.
London from Space - Nighttime shot of the city of London, with the Thames snaking through. Bright lights, that become dimmer as you go away from the city center, with a black ribbon of river running through it.
Rainbow Candy - Two page spread of candy progressing in rainbow colors.
Comparison Photo - Right hand page white caps crashing on rocks. Left hand page worker in India working with cotton swirling around him. White clouds of motion in both photos.
Surprise
Mini City of Madurodam - Tourist walking through a mini city replica.
Singapore Houses - A Two page spread of rainbow houses on a street in Singapore.
Poodle - An unfortunate poodle, whose owner was part of a grooming competition, who cut, and dyed his or her poodle's coat to display an ocean scene out of fur.
Comparison Photo - Right Hand page heart shaped canyon in Arizona. Left hand page heart shaped pool in a waterfall in Queensland
Beauty
Coast of Northern Ireland - Sunset photo on the Irish coast.
Northern Lights - A blue green display over Tacoma, Washington
Marble Caves - Ocean, and marble meet and blend in Chile
Comparison Photo - Right hand page staircase in Poland. Left hand page, underside of a bench in Canada that resembled a spiral staircase
Awe
Pope Francis - Admiring the Sistine Chapel
Austrian Cave - Ice and rock was blue tinged and backlit.
Henry VIII Lady's Chapel - Ceiling of the chapel with intricate architecture and banners.
Comparison Photo - Right hand page a school of red razorfish. Left hand a bird of paradise with red feathers.
Some of the photos I did not understand why they were categorized. For example the rainbow candy. The photo was not chaotic at all it was extremely organized. This was though an amazing book, beautiful to look at and learn from.
Some of my favorites in each category:
Chaos
Sandstorm in Phoenix - Two page spread. In the foreground a city skyline and highway, in the background a several thousand foot cloud of dust and sand that literally looked like a disaster movie.
London from Space - Nighttime shot of the city of London, with the Thames snaking through. Bright lights, that become dimmer as you go away from the city center, with a black ribbon of river running through it.
Rainbow Candy - Two page spread of candy progressing in rainbow colors.
Comparison Photo - Right hand page white caps crashing on rocks. Left hand page worker in India working with cotton swirling around him. White clouds of motion in both photos.
Surprise
Mini City of Madurodam - Tourist walking through a mini city replica.
Singapore Houses - A Two page spread of rainbow houses on a street in Singapore.
Poodle - An unfortunate poodle, whose owner was part of a grooming competition, who cut, and dyed his or her poodle's coat to display an ocean scene out of fur.
Comparison Photo - Right Hand page heart shaped canyon in Arizona. Left hand page heart shaped pool in a waterfall in Queensland
Beauty
Coast of Northern Ireland - Sunset photo on the Irish coast.
Northern Lights - A blue green display over Tacoma, Washington
Marble Caves - Ocean, and marble meet and blend in Chile
Comparison Photo - Right hand page staircase in Poland. Left hand page, underside of a bench in Canada that resembled a spiral staircase
Awe
Pope Francis - Admiring the Sistine Chapel
Austrian Cave - Ice and rock was blue tinged and backlit.
Henry VIII Lady's Chapel - Ceiling of the chapel with intricate architecture and banners.
Comparison Photo - Right hand page a school of red razorfish. Left hand a bird of paradise with red feathers.
Some of the photos I did not understand why they were categorized. For example the rainbow candy. The photo was not chaotic at all it was extremely organized. This was though an amazing book, beautiful to look at and learn from.
November 9, 2018
WOW.
That’s it.
Nothing more need be written. But I will. This is a truly stunning book from National Geographic. It’s the kind of book you want to keep out on your coffee table so you can have it available to page through at any given time. The title tells the tale – the book is a spectacle. It is full of photos that make you go wow.
It’s broken down into different sections; Chaos, Surprise, Beauty and Awe. The photos in each section relate to the titles tangentially. There is a caption explaining the photo but no superfluous words. You are meant to just enjoy the photos.
There are all manner of images in this substantial book from landscapes, to cityscapes to portraits to nature photography. Some are very straightforward others make you search for the subject and/or the meaning. All of them make you pause. There is one photo early in of hundreds of Christmas ornaments. At first glance you would think there was nothing special about a shop selling ornaments but as you look at it you are drawn in and it’s a truly fascinating photo. It’s one of my favorites.
Oh, there are Aurora photos. You know how I am about the Aurora.
I found this book to be an amazing respite from all of the things that I found overwhelming since I received it. Watching the news lately hasn’t exactly been happy times so when it was too much a bit of spin through Spectacle was just the antidote. Immersing myself in the beauty of these photographs took me away from all that was bothering me.
This book would make an awesome gift for anyone who loves photography. It’s a truly wonderful book that takes you away from the everyday into the world of Spectacle.
That’s it.
Nothing more need be written. But I will. This is a truly stunning book from National Geographic. It’s the kind of book you want to keep out on your coffee table so you can have it available to page through at any given time. The title tells the tale – the book is a spectacle. It is full of photos that make you go wow.
It’s broken down into different sections; Chaos, Surprise, Beauty and Awe. The photos in each section relate to the titles tangentially. There is a caption explaining the photo but no superfluous words. You are meant to just enjoy the photos.
There are all manner of images in this substantial book from landscapes, to cityscapes to portraits to nature photography. Some are very straightforward others make you search for the subject and/or the meaning. All of them make you pause. There is one photo early in of hundreds of Christmas ornaments. At first glance you would think there was nothing special about a shop selling ornaments but as you look at it you are drawn in and it’s a truly fascinating photo. It’s one of my favorites.
Oh, there are Aurora photos. You know how I am about the Aurora.
I found this book to be an amazing respite from all of the things that I found overwhelming since I received it. Watching the news lately hasn’t exactly been happy times so when it was too much a bit of spin through Spectacle was just the antidote. Immersing myself in the beauty of these photographs took me away from all that was bothering me.
This book would make an awesome gift for anyone who loves photography. It’s a truly wonderful book that takes you away from the everyday into the world of Spectacle.
December 10, 2022
I have enjoyed a number of these National Geographic photo books, though this is the first one I've read in a while. It is, as always, full of beautiful pictures, some mildly inane commentary, and contextless quotations that are vaguely connected to the images at hand. Obviously the photography is the selling point; but though it is gorgeous, I found that this collection just didn't resonate with me as much as previous ones had. I think it is because I like pictures of landscapes and wildlife most, and this had a bit more of a human element in it. That can be good too, but it just wasn't as engaging for me. I did like a pattern in this book of the occasional set of pictures on facing pages chosen for the visual echo they have with each other, which was an interesting twist.
December 12, 2018
It’s one thing to read this in silence and experience your own awe. It’s another thing entirely to share it with other people and experience the spectacle together, in all of your communal humor and sorrow and amazement. I’m sorry if this isn’t a great review of the amazing photography inside, but there are people better equipped to do that. I can tell you that my communal experience of this book exceeded many of my individual readings of other photography books.
March 11, 2019
I don't know if this counts as "reading", but it was nice to have something different in the mix. A reminder of the beauty and wonder of our world and universe. I found myself bookmarking photos to share with my husband. Most of these images are of things/places/people I'll never see in my lifetime, and I'm thankful that photography makes it possible for me to experience them in this way. (Also, that photo of the shark attacking the cage EEEEEEK)
February 21, 2019
This book is absolutely stunning! A spectacular arrangement of amazing sights throughout the world that you couldn't even imagine. Just breathtaking images- makes me realize there is entirely too much world out there I need to see!
July 6, 2019
An amazing collection of photographs interspersed with quotes. The photos cover people, animals, landscapes, architecture, and more and cover the entire globe and even outer space. A beautiful book!
May 1, 2021
Not surprisingly the photography in this volume is amazing. I recommend the book to everyone - hopefully we can prevent the destruction of the vulnerable glorious places and living beings on this earth. Kristi & Abby Tabby
November 13, 2018
Incredible book!
February 1, 2019
A nice reminder of how majestic the world can be.
April 9, 2019
Book is aptly titled. I wish the title would have been a little longer. These are difficult to read and not necessary.
May 10, 2019
Beautiful beautiful photos!!!
May 28, 2019
pretty cool coffee table book. nice photographs juxtaposed smartly
October 6, 2020
Another grand slam by the National Geographic team. Beautiful photographs with some bite sized themes to go along with it. A wonderful addition to your coffee book collection!!
October 2, 2024
comprehensive glance of everything photography
September 19, 2025
另一種能欣賞的攝影，帶我們看到平常看不到的視角。聚焦的青蛙，9:16的天燈場景，和很多壯觀的自然景觀。不會是我想自己來做的事情，但是非常非常享受欣賞它。
November 10, 2025
An excellent and wide-ranging collection of photographs, bound into a nice hardcover album.
November 14, 2025
3.5 overall
July 11, 2019
As always from National Geographic here are many wonderful photos, well composed, well chosen, and interesting. Some are of familiar things, others of quite surprising things. Landscapes, people, animals, things. Nearly all captions give the subject, the location, and the photographer. Except the eight photos at the very beginning, which only give location and photographer. I missed having the subject described, however minimally. Is that a baby seahorse? What's with the swirls of light?
Aside from those opening photos, the book is divided into Chaos, Surprise, Beauty, and Awe.
Aside from those opening photos, the book is divided into Chaos, Surprise, Beauty, and Awe.
January 11, 2022
XXXXX
A spellbinding book of visual wonders
XXXXX
“The book you hold in your hands is filled with spectacular moments…frozen in time for you to appreciate and enjoy. Curated with care by our National Geographic photo editors, it continues our tradition of presenting you, our readers, with the best photography in the world.
These images awe and inspire, capturing our miraculous planet in all its glory…
[T]he photography in these pages wasn’t easy to achieve. Each shot took planning, commitment, dogged determination, sometimes dumb luck…and a little bit of magic.”
The above quote (in italics) comes from the Foreword of this remarkable book by National Geographic. Since 1888, the National Geographic Society has funded more than 13,000 photography, research, exploration, and preservation projects around the world.
This is a book of visually diverse wonders where rarely seen sights from around the world (and even space) are photographed. You’ll discover that the imperfect world we live in still has splendours aplenty to see revealing hints of chaos, moments of surprise, reflections of beauty, and opportunities for awe. There are over 230 photos.
Each chapter of this book begins with a mini-essay before the main photographs are presented.
Each photo has a caption telling us where it was taken, what we’re looking at, and the name of the photographer (in parenthesis) who took it. For example, the photo on this book’s front cover (see above) has the following caption:
“PATAGONIA, CHILE Waves lapping against calcium carbonate eroded the Marble Caves onto sinuous aquamarine curves in Lake General Carrera (Clane Gessel)”
Finally, each chapter of photographs has relevant quotations scattered throughout it. One of my favourite quotations is by marine biologist and conservationist Rachel Carson:
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts”
In conclusion, this is truly a unique book of “rare and astonishing” photographs!
(2018; foreword; 4 chapters; main narrative 395 pages; [additional] credits; acknowledgements; advertisement for National Geographic photography books)
XXXXX
A spellbinding book of visual wonders
XXXXX
“The book you hold in your hands is filled with spectacular moments…frozen in time for you to appreciate and enjoy. Curated with care by our National Geographic photo editors, it continues our tradition of presenting you, our readers, with the best photography in the world.
These images awe and inspire, capturing our miraculous planet in all its glory…
[T]he photography in these pages wasn’t easy to achieve. Each shot took planning, commitment, dogged determination, sometimes dumb luck…and a little bit of magic.”
The above quote (in italics) comes from the Foreword of this remarkable book by National Geographic. Since 1888, the National Geographic Society has funded more than 13,000 photography, research, exploration, and preservation projects around the world.
This is a book of visually diverse wonders where rarely seen sights from around the world (and even space) are photographed. You’ll discover that the imperfect world we live in still has splendours aplenty to see revealing hints of chaos, moments of surprise, reflections of beauty, and opportunities for awe. There are over 230 photos.
Each chapter of this book begins with a mini-essay before the main photographs are presented.
Each photo has a caption telling us where it was taken, what we’re looking at, and the name of the photographer (in parenthesis) who took it. For example, the photo on this book’s front cover (see above) has the following caption:
“PATAGONIA, CHILE Waves lapping against calcium carbonate eroded the Marble Caves onto sinuous aquamarine curves in Lake General Carrera (Clane Gessel)”
Finally, each chapter of photographs has relevant quotations scattered throughout it. One of my favourite quotations is by marine biologist and conservationist Rachel Carson:
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts”
In conclusion, this is truly a unique book of “rare and astonishing” photographs!
(2018; foreword; 4 chapters; main narrative 395 pages; [additional] credits; acknowledgements; advertisement for National Geographic photography books)
XXXXX
June 7, 2019
Vertiginous.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews