America the Beautiful: A Story in Photographs

by National Geographic Society

This glorious book of photography, featuring more than 200 magnificent National Geographic images of all 50 states, is a gift-worthy celebration of America's unique natural and cultural treasures.

America the Beautiful showcases the stunning spaces closest to our nation's heart--from the woods in the Great Appalachian Valley that Davy Crockett once called home to the breathtaking sweep of California's Big Sur coast to the wilds of Alaska. It also celebrates the people who have made this country what it is, featuring a wide range of images including the Arikara Nation in the early 1900s and scientists preparing for travel to Mars on a Hawaiian island. Culled from more than 130 years of National Geographic's vaunted archives, this provocative collection depicts the splendor of this great nation as only National Geographic can, with a dramatic combination of modern and historical imagery--from the creation of architectural icons like the Golden Gate Bridge and Lady Liberty to the last of the country's wild places currently preserved in our national parks.

Organized by chapters focused on region (west coast and the Pacific, east coast, the south, and the Midwest) that are themselves inspired by verses of the original poem America the Beautiful , this book also features a moving introduction offering perspective on the country's unique journey. You'll also find behind-the-scenes commentary from the world-renowned photographers who captured this unforgettable imagery, and observations from the conservationists, activists, and historians who help keep America beautiful today. Profound and inspiring, this is a book for everyone who has ever marveled at the beauty of the United States.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Art, Travel, History, Nature, Coffee Table Books

416 pages, Hardcover

Published October 20, 2020

About the author

The 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.

Reviews

[Sharon Orlopp]

At a recent fundraising gala focused on helping people with dementia, I bid on and won a gift basket filled with items to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. America the Beautiful: A Story in Photographs was one of the items in the gift basket.

The introduction grabbed me right away. Katherine Lee Bates wrote the song America, the Beautiful. I always knew that the scenery in Colorado inspired her to write the song. I grew up in Colorado Springs. What I did not know until reading this book was that Bates traveled to Colorado Springs in 1893.

Bates lectured on Chaucer for one semester at Colorado College. BTW, my mom worked at Colorado College for 25 years. Bates toured the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. Bates wrote in her diary that night, "Most glorious scenery I ever beheld."

The photographs in this book are breathtaking! Absolutely incredible!

There is a wide diversity of people who are quoted and/or discussed based on their home state: Tara Westover author of Educated, actress Maya Rudolph, politician Gabby Giffords, award-winning singer Jewell, golfer Tony Finau, Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir, and many others.

America the Beautiful: A Story in Photographs captures the beauty, strengths, complexities, and challenges of America.

[TarHeelReader]

These Nat Geo books are always so swoon worthy! This gorgeous book is headed right for my coffee table where I feature all my favorite Nat Geo books. Like the others, the photos are vivid and crisp, and the content is informative and inspiring.

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Anna]

A beautiful book of photographs from the files of National Geographic. I learned a lot in the beginning essay about the author of the song from which this books takes it's name and inspiration. I also enjoyed the short homages to each state and territory although I was slightly disappointed in the person they chose for my home state.
Popsugar Reading Challenge 2021: A book that has the same title as a song

[Noah]

With beautiful photographs and touching personal stories about each state, this book shows the true America we should be celebrating on this 250th anniversary.

[Alysan Azman]

Beautiful photographs, but it was disappointing that most of the photos were old - I expected them to be much more recent.

[Patty]

One can never go wrong with a book full of photographs take by the talented men and women who shoot for National Geographic. In a time when travel is mostly done in our dreams a book like this is just what is needed to plan for when visiting is more open.

The book is separated into four chapters, breaking the country and it’s possessions into regions. It opens with the West and Pacific then moves to the East and Mid Atlantic then to the South and the Carribean and ends with the Midwest and Central Plains. I felt like I was back in the fifthwheel traveling around the country. It was such a joy to revisit some of the places I have been in these glorious photos from such talented photographers. I am sharing photos from the book from the three states I have lived in during my life. The first being from Montana; it is from Yellowstone – one of my favorite places on Earth.

The photos are from all different eras – not just from now. There is a stunning black and white photo representing South Dakota. You get to experience each state or territory with a glimpse into what makes it special but as the book covers so much territory it is somehow never enough – especially when you are looking for the places you love most. You want more. But taking the book as a whole is a very uplifting experience as there is so much beauty to be found.

If you have had the opportunity to travel around this amazing country this book will remind you of all that is out there. For those that are still waiting to explore the book will surely whet your appetite to get out and see the beauty that awaits.

There are also comments from memorable residents of each state expressing what their home state means to them. A state is so much more than the reputation it carries. My former home of New Jersey is a prime example; most folks believe it’s an adjunct of New York. They tend to forget the rural southern part of the state. Oh, they remember “the shore” now and then but still, it’s more city and less farm. But New Jersey IS the Garden State.

America the Beautiful would make an awesome gift for anyone who loves this country, beautiful photos and dreaming about where they might visit when things get better.

[Laura]

America is a diverse nation with natural beauty throughout. America the Beautiful is a coffee table book that displays the beauty with beautiful color pictures of the people and places that make up the United States. There are 250 images from all 50 states and six territories. The pictures are from National Geographics archives and span 100 years. There are inspirational quotes from a lot of different people describing their state or territory. Overall, the theme is the song America the Beautiful.

My son Daniel and I read through this quickly after we received it. We loved looking at the pictures and reading the short descriptions about them. The book is sorted into different parts of the country. We of course looked for Wisconsin right away. We liked the pictures, but only wish there were more for our state. Strangely a beautiful picture of the Apostle Islands said it was Michigan rather than Wisconsin. This bugged Daniel, but otherwise we loved the book.

Overall, America the Beautiful is a wonderful way to tour America from your own home.

Book Source: Review Copy from the Hachette Book Group / National Geographic for being a part of the TLC Book Tour. Thank-you!

This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2020...

[Sara Strand]

This book is GORGEOUS! The photos of course are stunning and I'd expect nothing less from National Geographic. I love how the book is broken up into four sections, making it easy to use if you're using it as a supplement to virtual learning for your kids. Definitely would make a great gift for the patriotic enthusiast in your life. My kids and I are still going through this and it never gets old.

[Paula]

This is an oversized "coffee table" style book. I was pleasantly surprised to find a huge variety in the subject matter of the photos.

It has stunning photography that is grouped by sections of the country, and all the photos are captioned and identified by state. The photos are not all of landscapes. Some are portraits of people, some are photos of animals, and there are some stunning aaerial photos of buildings and bridges as well, among others.

[Nathan]

If this is the kind of book you think you’ll like, you probably will. Photographs of the United States chosen to showcase its diversity are what’s in n display here and it does an excellent job. Are all the written blurbs by famous people uniformly excellent? No. But do they also showcase the diversity of the US? They sure do. Beautiful stuff.

[Brian]

This was a beautiful book that was filled with photographs of landscapes, people and landmarks across the US. The book has a lot of nice imagery and was a very quick read with not a lot of text, but a lot of eye candy.

[Gina Zappa]

There are so many devastatingly beautiful people, places and things to see in this country, and this book! So many gorgeous photographs, from so many different years. What a wonderful way to take a journey while still being stuck in quarantine.

[Martha]

It is a story in photographs and makes me want to do a long driving trip across the lower 48. Then I'll fly or sail to the other two and our territories. Great coffee table book or gift selection.

[Nanette]

Worthwhile view across the United States, a good panorama of America shown in photographs. I had this one checked out long enough I needed to finish it. Nice way to see parts of the country I will most likely never see up close in my lifetime.

[Terri]

Fun, short bios on a wide range of people accompanies wonderful photography. Some of the photos I did not feel were representative of the areas. I know it must be difficult to choose, but I feel like that was why I had to remove a star. It’s fun to read nonetheless.

[Timothy S. Henson]

The United States of America is a beautiful country in so many ways and this book shows quite a few of them in pictures from National Geographic Society.

[Alfred Weber]

You know a book full of Nat Geo photos will be beautiful and this book doesn't disappoint.

[Denise Chojnacki]

Beautiful photographic tribute to the good ole US of A

[Kris]

From sea to shining sea! Loved these photographs and state by State memories!

[Barbara]

The pictures are lovely and I loved the little testimonies from natives of the various states. Interesting how connected we become to our home state.

[M. Winslow]

Truly beautiful and well-thought out book.

[Katherine Cobb]

Thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful collection of photographs and snippets of insight from select public figures.

[Miss Clark]

2.5 stars

I did not like the format nor did I think it did a very thorough job of showcasing Anerica in its many facets and womders.

[Stephen Paul Chase, Jr.]

I was born in Massachusetts to Native American, British and French-Canadian ancestors.

[Sara-Kay]

Growing up, I used to love flipping through my parents’ National Geographic Magazines. I could look at their photos all day.

[Tracy Reed]

We looked through this library book at the conclusion of our 50 states studies. While it did have some really nice photos in it, it wasn’t organized well. Photos were randomly scattered in each section, not keeping each state’s photos together. And often a photo would prompt questions that weren’t answered by the text/captions. I also didn’t like having a lot of the captions on a different page than the photo- it made it awkward to read aloud. And some of the pictures weren’t my cup of tea at all… some kindof seemed like a waste.

So basically there’s some great photos and some just “meh….” The text isnt all that worth reading. And the book jtself is not organized to my liking. So I definitely wouldn’t get it again, and certainly wouldn’t buy it.