Each winter, alone in the pitiless ice desert of Antarctica, deep in the most inhospitable terrain on Earth, a truly remarkable journey takes place as it has done for millennia. Emperor penguins by the thousands abandon the deep blue security of their ocean home and clamber onto the frozen ice to begin their long journey into a region so bleak, so extreme, it supports no other wildlife at this time of year. In single file, the penguins march blinded by blizzards, buffeted by gale force winds. Resolute, indomitable, driven by the overpowering urge to reproduce, they cross the frozen continent. And that is where the real story of love and dedication - between penguin mates and penguin parents and their chicks - begins. "March of the Penguins" tells this extraordinary story of love and survival through remarkable photographs taken during the production of the film. Illuminating text elaborates on the film, and a special appendix features behind-the-scenes photos and the story of the film itself, which required 13 arduous months in Antarctica.
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About the Author
Luc Jacquet, prize-winning filmmaker, biologist, and photographer is known for his nature and wildlife documentaries, which draw heavily on his scientific background and his great talent for filmed narrative. The producer and director of March of the Penguins, he and his crew spent 13 months in Antarctica battling blizzards and bitter cold to record the footage that reveals the extraordinary journey of the Emperor Penguin.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
`March of the Penguins' concerns the annual struggle of the Antarctic's emperor penguin to raise its solitary chick over the nine months of freezing cold. It's an awe-inspiring feat of parent-hood and this book is meant as a companion to the acclaimed big screen production of the same name.
The photography is truly spectacular and there are epic double-page spreads featuring Antarctic vistas as well as single-page and smaller photos featuring more intimate images. One fault is that not all of them are captioned or referred to in the text, while at the same time some things are mentioned that don't have photographs to accompany them. One gets the impression that the words and pictures were done separately with little cooperation.
Furthermore the makers refrain from including any distressing photographs (predation, starvation, death, etc) all of which are be significant features and this really detracts from the book, giving it a slightly `cuddly' feel - as if it is aimed at children who need `protecting' from such scenes.
The text is extremely thin on the ground so in terms of education about the animals and their journey there are other publications which will give you a lot more information. In this sense the book relies too heavily on being simply a companion to the DVD and looses value as a book in its own right.
The awesome photography apart, this book could and should be a lot better and takes barely an hour to read. It is not worth the £11 that amazon charges. A good one to get from `old and new' section.
The photography is truly spectacular and there are epic double-page spreads featuring Antarctic vistas as well as single-page and smaller photos featuring more intimate images. One fault is that not all of them are captioned or referred to in the text, while at the same time some things are mentioned that don't have photographs to accompany them. One gets the impression that the words and pictures were done separately with little cooperation.
Furthermore the makers refrain from including any distressing photographs (predation, starvation, death, etc) all of which are be significant features and this really detracts from the book, giving it a slightly `cuddly' feel - as if it is aimed at children who need `protecting' from such scenes.
The text is extremely thin on the ground so in terms of education about the animals and their journey there are other publications which will give you a lot more information. In this sense the book relies too heavily on being simply a companion to the DVD and looses value as a book in its own right.
The awesome photography apart, this book could and should be a lot better and takes barely an hour to read. It is not worth the £11 that amazon charges. A good one to get from `old and new' section.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
41 of 42 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Visual Delight for all Penguin Lovers
29 Nov 2005
By Philip B. Capelle
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
If you love penguins (who doesn't), you are going to go bananas over the gorgeous photos in this book. And you if you stop to consider that our heroic moviemakers/photo journalists spent a year in what they describe at the harshest winter climate on earth filming these amazing creatures for our pleasure, then you can see in a flash why this book easily warrants 5 stars.
The cover demonstrates the love between a penguin and its chick. This picture alone told me that this book must be rate a strong "buy." But is just gets better and better inside. The stars of this book are the photos of the penguins and those without these birds that showcase the beautiful and harsh icescape in which they live. You'll finds lots of close ups and panoramic shots as well.
The text is sparse (the pictures tell most of the story) but it is extremely informative. After the introduction the book takes you through a year in the life of the emperor penguin. The chapters:
1) Legend Has It
2) The March - You'll see hundreds of penguins marching in single file.
3) The Gathering - The penguins mass together against the cold for the winter.
4) The Courtship - Penguins use sound to find their mate. Lots of photos of cute couples.
5) The Egg - The penguins must endure much hardship in protecting this treasure.
6) The Birth - The best chapter of all. Cut little chicks and their parents.
7) The First Steps - The baby penguins strive for independence.
8) The Spring - Relief from the hard winter and dangerous crossings.
9) The Plunge - Penguins at play, jumping into the ocean and swimming.
10) Making the film. Awesome chapter. It shows the penguins and camera crew together. They come right up to the crew members!
At the beginning the author states that, "Anyone who really wants to understand this most human of birds must first love them." I already did, but all the more so after reading the text and gaping at the beautiful photos.
Two words of advice: you might need two copies. One to preserve as is, and another so you can cut out and mount your favorite photos. And see the movie (I can hardly wait.) Enjoy!
Philip Capelle
The cover demonstrates the love between a penguin and its chick. This picture alone told me that this book must be rate a strong "buy." But is just gets better and better inside. The stars of this book are the photos of the penguins and those without these birds that showcase the beautiful and harsh icescape in which they live. You'll finds lots of close ups and panoramic shots as well.
The text is sparse (the pictures tell most of the story) but it is extremely informative. After the introduction the book takes you through a year in the life of the emperor penguin. The chapters:
1) Legend Has It
2) The March - You'll see hundreds of penguins marching in single file.
3) The Gathering - The penguins mass together against the cold for the winter.
4) The Courtship - Penguins use sound to find their mate. Lots of photos of cute couples.
5) The Egg - The penguins must endure much hardship in protecting this treasure.
6) The Birth - The best chapter of all. Cut little chicks and their parents.
7) The First Steps - The baby penguins strive for independence.
8) The Spring - Relief from the hard winter and dangerous crossings.
9) The Plunge - Penguins at play, jumping into the ocean and swimming.
10) Making the film. Awesome chapter. It shows the penguins and camera crew together. They come right up to the crew members!
At the beginning the author states that, "Anyone who really wants to understand this most human of birds must first love them." I already did, but all the more so after reading the text and gaping at the beautiful photos.
Two words of advice: you might need two copies. One to preserve as is, and another so you can cut out and mount your favorite photos. And see the movie (I can hardly wait.) Enjoy!
Philip Capelle
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
If you want to completely relive the movie...
4 Jan 2006
By J. Muench
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
If you already saw the movie, loved it with every fiber of your being, and you want to relive it over and over again, then by all means get the book--it has absolutely stunning photography and those too-cute-for-words penguins.
I love penguins and love seeing great photography, but since I already saw the movie (a documentary), as well as watching the (somewhat inane) extras on the DVD, I don't really feel the need for the book. It is basically a picture book of the movie, with much of Morgan Freeman's narration as the text. There is no additional penguin information, just what you saw in the movie.
So your options are: If you thought the movie was good but you probably wouldn't watch it again, then you may want to find a different penguin book. If you liked the movie and want a nice coffee table book, then you will probably like this book. If you could not get enough of the movie, then this book is for you.
I love penguins and love seeing great photography, but since I already saw the movie (a documentary), as well as watching the (somewhat inane) extras on the DVD, I don't really feel the need for the book. It is basically a picture book of the movie, with much of Morgan Freeman's narration as the text. There is no additional penguin information, just what you saw in the movie.
So your options are: If you thought the movie was good but you probably wouldn't watch it again, then you may want to find a different penguin book. If you liked the movie and want a nice coffee table book, then you will probably like this book. If you could not get enough of the movie, then this book is for you.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Beautiful Collector's book
15 Oct 2006
A Kid's Review
- Published on Amazon.com
This is more of a collector's book than an informative book--what's in the movie is exactly in this book. However, there's an interesting section about making the film--the penguins were very curious about the camera! This has a beautiful cover and beautiful pictures. If you loved this film as much as I do, get it! The only problem is, some of the panoramic shots are grainy, and you have to hold the book out to see a smooth picture. I knocked a star of for that.
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