What do you think?
Rate this book
Good Breeding: Chunky Version
An Abrams favorite, now available in a new, fun format! When Yann Arthus-Bertrand's astonishing book of photographs of domestic livestock and their breeders first appeared in 1999, The New York Times Book Review hailed this remarkable treasure as "a curiously appealing blend of art with kitsch...drama tinged with comedy." Now this wonderfully whimsical book is being rereleased in a fun new format.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
11 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 25, 2012
I actually collaborated on this book in 1990 at the Royal show. Many of the pictures taken in England were set up by me, and at the time I wondered what this little man was doing as he dithered around and upset many of the handlers. I also worked briefly again with him in Paris photographing some of the horses.
I have to admit the results are so stunning they are almost unbelievable. The way he captures the owners to dovetail with their animals sets him up there as a genius. I only wish he had done more.
Of course, his later work from the air is also fantastic, but to me as an animal lover who has worked with pedigree stock all my days, this book is my pride and joy.
My favourite print if Richard Harper-Smith with a Portland ram. Yann spent so long messing with his camera that the ram got bored and lay down, so did Richard. Both of them look so fed up, you can see the thought bubbles. Brilliant.
I have to admit the results are so stunning they are almost unbelievable. The way he captures the owners to dovetail with their animals sets him up there as a genius. I only wish he had done more.
Of course, his later work from the air is also fantastic, but to me as an animal lover who has worked with pedigree stock all my days, this book is my pride and joy.
My favourite print if Richard Harper-Smith with a Portland ram. Yann spent so long messing with his camera that the ram got bored and lay down, so did Richard. Both of them look so fed up, you can see the thought bubbles. Brilliant.
December 14, 2009
The photography and subject matter in this book are astounding. I have given it as a gift over and over again. Everyone is fascinated!
May 8, 2015
I put this on the "skimmed for info" shelf, but I actually read it pretty thoroughly, and I looked at all the photos. I just had to skim a bit toward the end, as I wanted to return it to the library today and was running out of time. It's a neat book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews