AFRICAN BEAUTY IN BOOKS NOW

As we prepared for our three week journey through Africa, we did a bit of research and found these ten beautiful new books documenting the wild, natural, and cultural beauty in this amazing continent.

1. AFRICAN WILDLIFE EXPOSED: A CELEBRATION OF NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

Greg Du Toit’s astonishing assemblage of photographs, documenting his journeys throughout Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho and South Africa, is a definite must-have.

African Wildlife Exposed: A Celebration of Nature Photography is a stunning one-of-a-kind photo journal. Du Toit's reputation for putting himself in great danger to take his shots makes this book a thrill and a half!

HPH Publishing (2013)

2. HAUTE AFRICA: PEOPLE. PHOTOGRAPHY. FASHION.

In Haute Africa: People. Photography. Fashion, authors Christophe de Jaegher and  Ramona Van Gansbeke  present a collection of some of the most beautiful, modern, cutting edge fashion designs happening in Africa right now.

As Africa’s sense of style has developed, it has come to be included among such places as Paris, Milan and London in the conversation about haute couture. With so much stunning natural beauty, it is no surprise that Africa has been such a creative inspiration.

Jaegher and Gansbeke’s book details the artists, styles, designers and photographers.

Lannoo Publishers (2014)

3. FACING AFRICA

British photographer John Kenny's Facing Africa is a visual narrative of Sub-Saharan Africa’s indigenous populations. He compiled this work after seven years of visiting traditional African communities.

Facing Africa presents 45 of the most powerful photographs taken on Kenny's journey. Kenny’s limitless fascination with the beauty of the people of Africa comes through in every shot. Marvel at the exquisite body art, jewelry, hairstyles and clothing design, which also convey the attitude and beliefs of each community.

With rigorous attention to detail, John Kenney takes true advantage of his privileged access to these glorious people.

Five Continents Editions (2014)

4. AFRICAN HEROES: SAMBURU-MAASAI

African Heroes: Samburu-Maasai, is another open window to the world of the Maasai, a regal, indigenous tribe in Africa. Matteo Guzzini, an Italian photo-journalist, lived with the people, and accompanied them on their daily tasks, rituals, and travels.

Guzzini sheds light onto the clandestine world of these African warriors.  The book, edited by Moreno Gentelli, is separated into four chapters which reveal the four mythical aspects that serve as the guiding forces behind the Maasai; Rito (Ritual), Cibo (Food), Uomo (Man) and Luogo (Place).

This is a truly beautiful and breath-taking book.

Skira (2014)

5. EARTH TO SKY

Award-winning photographer Michael Nichols’ book Earth to Sky: Among Africa's Elephants, A Species in Crisis, tells the story of one the earth’s most beautiful and sentient creatures.

Nichols, a longtime photographer for National Geographic, has been working with African elephants for over 20 years. In Earth to Sky, he brings awareness to their endangerment through striking photographs of these animals in their natural environments -- in rich forests and open savannas -- in juxtaposition to landscapes that have been ravaged by humans.

The photographs, accompanied by small excerpts written by celebrated figures in the field of conservation, are life changing, not only in their aesthetic, but also in their message.

6. AFRICA: EYE TO EYE WITH THE UNKNOWN

Africa: Eye to Eye with the Unknown takes readers into the world of Africa and captivates them entirely. This companion to the BBC One series, Africa, serves as a guide to the most unexpected landscapes and wildlife.

Michael Bright's photography beautifully presents five unique regions of Africa and the rare animals found in them. The book includes an exclusive viewing of an island sanctuary, home to an obscure African penguin, among other first sightings. With an insightful foreword by David Attenborough.

Quercus (2013)

7. I AM BECAUSE WE ARE: AFRICAN WISDOM IN IMAGE AND PROVERB

I Am Because We Are: African Wisdom in Image and Proverb is a black and white compilation of photos taken all over East and West Africa, combined with related African proverbs, compiled by Annetta Miller.

With the goal of increasing the awareness, appreciation, and understanding of African society and culture, these 125 photos and proverbs highlight the daily lives of indigenous peoples -- their love, beauty, humor, sorrow, happiness, peace, war, and human relationships.

University Press of Mississippi/Betty Press (2013)

8. LEGACY: JEWELRY TECHNIQUES OF WEST AFRICA

While there have been many books published on African jewelry, there has been limited information on the actual makers and their traditions. Matthieu Cheminee’s Legacy: Jewelry Techniques of West Africa, details generations of jewelers of West Africa and their unique styles.

Chiminee traveled to seven countries, interviewed hundreds of craftsmen, and took thousands of photographs, over the span of ten years.

This book takes you on a journey through market stalls, showing craftsmen and their wide variety of gold and silver work. You'll admire the heirloom tools and intricate processes, handed down through many generations.

Brynmorgen Press (2014)

9. VISIONS OF GRACE: 100 AFRICAN MASTERPIECES FROM THE COLLECTION OF DANIEL AND MARIAN MALCOLM

Visions of Grace: 100 African Masterpieces from the Collection of Daniel and Marian Malcolm, presents the art works of pre-colonial sub-Saharan African peoples.  From well-known masterpieces to first-time views, you'll be treated to a private tour through the Malcolm’s exquisite art collection.

5 Continents Editions (2014)

10. THE NILE: A JOURNEY DOWNRIVER THROUGH EGYPT’S PAST AND PRESENT

The Nile: A Journey Downriver Through Egypt's Past and Present, reveals the mysteries of the Nile as it has touched some of humanity's earliest civilizations.

Renowned Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson follows the river from its sources in Ethiopia and Lake Victoria, exploring the mysteries, religions, and historic lore, as he travels upstream to Egypt. It reads like a beautiful storybook.

Knopf (2014)

Read more about Beautiful Africa, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Africa in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 08.24.14. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!

PHOTO CREDITS:

1. Photo: by Greg Du Toit. Photograph from African Wildlife Exposed.
2. Image: Courtesy of HPH Publishing. African Wildlife Exposed.
3. Image: Courtesy of Lannoo Publishers. Haute Africa.
4. Image: Courtesy of Five Continents Editions. Facing Africa.
5. Image: Courtesy of Skira Rizzoli. African Heroes.
6. Image: Courtesy of Aperture. Earth to Sky.
7. Image: Courtesy of Quercus. Africa: Eye to Eye with the Unknown.
8. Image: Courtesy of University Press of Mississippi/Betty Press. I Am Because We Are.
9. Image: Courtesy of Brynmorgen Press. Legacy: Jewelry Techniques of West Africa.
10. Image: Courtesy of 5 Continents Editions. Visions of Grace.
11. Image: Courtesy of Knopf. The Nile: A Journey Downriver through Egypt’s Past and Present. ​