Val (Editor), “Through the Lens: National Geographic Greatest Photographs”, 2009A photograph can be a hymn to its subject, but a National Geographic photograph is a symphony. For over a century, it has been one of the world's most beloved and respected magazines. Founded in 1888 in Washington, D.C., National Geographic aims “to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting the conservation of the world's cultural, historical, and natural resources.” National Geographic is published in over 30 languages, and is read by millions of people around the globe every month. Its motto is “Inspiring people to care about the planet.” “Through the Lens” is a wonderful collection of 250 of the 10.5 million images in the archives of National Geographic. Edited by Leah Bendavid-Val and a talented team of writers and photographers, this book is divided into six chapters: Europe; Asia; Africa & Middle East; Americas; Oceans and Isles, and Universe. “Through the Lens” promises to take us on a “magic carpet” ride through our magnificent planet – and beyond. This exciting photographic trip begins in Europe – “Crossroads of Culture.” The editors – and their photographs - remind us that Europe is a perennially shifting melting pot: “The continent has always been a study in ethnic variety, and many of Europe's newest, 21stcentury citizens are really just returning home. Spain, which has seen a recent influx of African refugees, is a case in point. When North African Muslims took over the country in the eighth century, the nation's urban centers quickly became multicultural models, shaped as much by Moors and Jews as by the Christian Spaniards.” Asia – “Eternal Lands of the East” - is highlighted by striking images of religious devotion and revered customs. These photographs help us to peer inside the soul of an ancient and mysterious civilization. Africa and the Middle East – “Cradle of Life and Faith” – are represented by stunning photographs of natural beauty, as well as the harsh circumstances of developing regions of the world. Images of faith and society are among the best in this chapter. For example, a 1911 black and white photograph presents serene Muslim travelers at prayer in the Sahara Desert. Other photographs reflect the conflicts between faith and politics. As the editors note, the faith of billions of people around the globe are rooted in the sacred sites and history of the Middle East.Their photographs capture these vital connections. The Americas – “Wonders of the New World” – come alive in the photographs. As an American magazine, National Geographic knows its home territory, but, it is also drawn to its neighbors – Canada, Mexico, and the nations of Central and South America. The people, cities and creatures of these countries are presented as bold and beautiful symbols of choice landscapes. America is portrayed as a lively society in progress – a culture unafraid to embrace change and overcome obstacles. National Geographic has shown special interest in “ancient sites and vanished cultures” - this volume includes an excellent photograph from 1912 of the ancient Inca site of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes. In Oceans and Isles – “Lands and People of the Sea” – the editors present an earthly paradise. These photographs magnify the grandeur of oceans and seas, and the remarkable creatures which inhabit them. Our fascination with islands and remote cultures is also explored with a keen eye for photographic discovery. Finally, the editors acknowledge our primal fascination for space and the universe: “Earth is where we live, but space has always been home for our imagination.” Their photographs document man's desire – and ability - to explore beyond our tiny planet, especially through the photographs of the missions of NASA and Apollo. - SG Joseph Richard Preville is an American writer living in Jeddah. __
