Natural History (DK Definitive Visual Encyclopedias)

This is an amazing book! I can't believe this hardcover book is less than $30! When this book arrived, I showed it to my husband and asked him how much he thought I paid for the book. His answer was that he thought it was easily over $100. He was amazed when I told him how much I paid for it. The vast amount of illustrations and photographs are fantastic (it can be hard to tell which is which) and it contains so much information. I am a n artist and have used this book on several occasions for inspiration. It will always have space on my bookshelf until I am too old and feeble to pick up this heavy and rather large book. While it does have a Kindle version, I prefer my reference books to be hardcopies rather than a digital format. There is nothing like opening a book such as this to a random page just to see what there is. This is not a book that you can read from back to front (well, at least I can't), but to be experienced by looking up a specific species or to find treasures through random acts of book openings. I am currently doing to series on African birds thanks to the inspiration I've found in this book. But you don't have to be an artist to enjoy and admire this book! My 9-year old grandson who is obsessed with all things oceanic and knows every species of dinosaurs that has been discovered, loves this book every bit as much as I do! Well done, Penguin Random House, Dk, and the Smithsonian Institute for making such a book at such an affordable price range that almost anyone can afford. The quality of the book, while isn't superb (which would make it truly out of reach for most of us), it is really good. The pages are glossy and have a little bit of weight to them. It's not built to last generations, but that is not necessary to spark the imagination or the thirst for knowledge in a young mind. And isn't that the point?

I am blown away by the gorgeous images in this book. The huge array of topics paired with concise narratives make for a comprehensive reference book good for all ages. Our family particularly likes minerals, and the array descriptions is impressive. I decided to look in the glossary for, what I think, is an obscure mineral: Sodalite. Sure enough, there it was on page 61 in all its blue glory. While this would make a great coffee table book, the Kindle version is also excellent. Keep your device in landscape mode to view two pages at time and portrait mode for one page. You can zoom in and out to adjust view magnification. On the glossary… the print is quite fine, so I pretty much guarantee that you will need to zoom in to see the entries. For the price, particularly with Kindle, this book is an outstanding value. It is a nice gateway for youngsters to get ready for advanced science classes. Definitely 5 stars!

What’s not to love! Bought this to have a reference for my art class. It’s a heavy book, but it’s full of lovely information and good pictures when I’m trying to put together a piece from multiple ideas.

I was very happy when this book finally was offered in a version for Kindle Books. It is the single greatest book on world wildlife, covering species from all over the world, with a short, basic description to accompany each beautiful image, as well as more detailed coverage of some select species. It even could serve as a pretty good guidebook for common wildlife species in the United States. Here are some examples. Among the protists, they include 20 species of rhizarians (radiolarians, cercozoans and forams). Among the plants are 41 species of the order Rosales (rose, plum, cherry, fig, elm, etc.); this includes a 2-page description of the sweetbriar rose of Europe and nearby areas of Asia and Africa, and now widespread in the world. Among the insects, they include 49 species of beetles and 67 species of moths and butterflies. They include 85 species of rodents (rats, beavers, squirrels, etc.) including a 2-page description of the African crested porcupine. In the very large section on mammalian carnivores, coverage ranges from a few breeds of domestic cats and dogs to 4 species of the Eupleridae of Madagascar. They cover 237 species of passerine birds (e.g., the songbirds) including many common backyard birds of the U.S. For example, one can compare the northern cardinal (Cardinalidae) of eastern U.S. and Mexico, to the similar but unrelated red-crested cardinal (Thraupidae; the tanagers) of South America.

This book is more than worth the money. Great value. It covers literally everything. Highly recommend.

Very nostalgic, I’m a 90s kid and this is a necessity to have on hand. Very informative, but plenty of color. Like an adult picture book. Looking for more to buy.

i'm an artist and nature lover, so i bought this as a reference book and have really enjoyed using it. high quality, heavy hardcover book with great printing quality.

DK makes the best coffee table books. This book is huge at over 600 huge pages it appears to carries almost everything that lives on earth. Every picture is stunning. Adults and all children would love this book.

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Più che aprire un libro sembra di entrare in un museo. Affascinante lettura per tutti, dal mio 12enne a noi adulti. Ottime fotografie. Una scoperta continua. Acquistato in inglese. Perfetto per chiunque sia appassionato di scienze naturali

Very satisfied. Thank you 😃.

Amei o livro, e a entrega foi rápida.

The Smithsonian Institution is a venerable American establishment founded in 1846 as a research and educational center. It comprises 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and a zoo, making it one of the world's largest and most comprehensive museum complexes. Its mission is "the increase and diffusion of knowledge," it has been instrumental in various scientific, historical, and cultural discoveries and dissemination. The Smithsonian has been a cornerstone in fields ranging from natural history to astrophysics, often collaborating with experts in specialized domains. Now let's discuss the "Smithsonian Natural History (The Ultimate Visual Guide to Everything on Earth)." 1. Layout and Design The book adopts a meticulously designed layout that facilitates an intuitive reading experience. Using whitespace, typography, and grid systems is carefully considered to optimize the reader's cognitive load. Tables of contents and indices are exhaustive and well-organized, enabling quick navigation—a feature particularly beneficial for educators and researchers who may use the book as a reference. 2. Visual Elements One of the most striking features is the visual richness of the book. The illustrations, photographs, and diagrams are of high resolution and quality, providing a vivid and detailed visual experience. These graphic elements complement the text and often provide standalone informational value. Given the complexity of natural history, the adept use of visual aids is not just an aesthetic choice but an academic necessity for effective communication of the subject matter. 3. Content The book covers many topics within natural history, from geology and paleontology to flora, fauna, and even microbial life. The categorization follows a logical structure, commencing with the Earth's formation and geology before progressing to more complex life forms. Each section is cohesively structured, comprising a balanced mix of general overviews and specific case studies or examples. The text blends concise yet informative descriptions supported by empirical data and scientific research. It adheres to academic rigour while remaining accessible to readers who may not have a specialized background in natural history. The book also incorporates recent scientific findings, thus offering up-to-date information, which is a critical factor in scientific literature. 4. Pedagogical Value From an educational standpoint, the book serves as an invaluable resource. Its structure and content are conducive to modular teaching, allowing educators to pick relevant sections for their curriculum easily. Furthermore, the book straddles the line between academic rigour and public accessibility, making it a versatile resource for different educational settings—from high schools to undergraduate courses. 5. Conclusion "Smithsonian Natural History (The Ultimate Visual Guide to Everything on Earth)" is a magnum opus in natural history literature. It encapsulates the exhaustive research and academic rigour that the Smithsonian Institution is known for. The book is not merely an aggregation of facts but a well-crafted educational tool. Its comprehensive coverage, high-quality visual aids, and pedagogical adaptability make it deserving of a 5-star rating. It is a quintessential read for anyone keen on understanding our natural world's complexities, rendered academically rigorous yet engaging.