This is a captivating*, full-color presentation of National Geographic magazine’s best and most memorable photographs of the last 25 years, the facts behind them, and the stories of the men and women who took them.

    Five chapters cover major National Geographic themes—wildlife on land and water; cultures in the United States and around the world; and science, from astronomy* to archaeology* to the human senses.

    The photographs in each chapter capture rare* moments in nature and the lives of animals, along with defining* events in the lives of people everywhere. This exquisite collection is as elegant as it is timeless.

    The book also includes an introductory chapter that explains the evolution* of the photographic principles that have kept National Geographic at the forefront of the field. This chapter also presents the visionaries* who believed that photography has the power to tell truths. The book offers readers an inside look at the magazine and a sharp-eyed view of the world. It shows the skill and imagination of such notable photographers as David Doubilet, William Albert Allard, Sam Abell, Jim Stanfield, Jodi Cobb, Jim Brandenburg, David Alan Harvey, and many more.

    They share their techniques, as well as personal anecdotes* about individual images and their adventures in the field — sometimes humorous, sometimes terrifying, always compelling*. Author Leah Bendavid-Val writes about the photographers’ achievements from technical, journalistic, and artistic perspectives*. Both Chinese and English versions are available online.(SD-Agencies)