Peter Beard Hardcover – Download: Adobe Reader, November 1, 2013

Ever since I heard about Peter (oddly enough on an MTV special hosted by Cindy Crawford) I have been keeping track of him. Vanity Fair also had an article about him in 1996, with some of his journals and photos printed which I found to be absolutely beautiful. As a journalist myself, I found it so inspiring and (along with Dan Eldon, where I find many commonalities), he has been a strong influence on my own work.This collection reproduces hundreds and hundreds of pages from his journals. This is an outstanding treat and privilege to have a glimpse into some of his personal work and stories. Peter is so prolific with his journal keeping, collages and photography.. his idiosyncratic style with minuscule and obsessive details that he puts into every page is both admirable and frightening. It would appear as though he has kept extensive journals of his life (since the age of 11) and probably spends significant time every single day with his art. He will write long strings of random sentences and words from his day in his journals, writing in the smallest possible handwriting. All of it is amazing, and with a book that is over 2 inches thick, you are getting SO much to look at. I don't know that a single person could possibly see all there is to see in this comprehensive volume.Because of the books complexity, it may have benefited from coming in two volumes. I do think, at least at one point, Taschen had considered and marketed this book as being in two volumes; the reason for this would simply be practicality. Because of it's weight and size, two volumes may not have been a bad idea for more ease of viewing. But I digress, it is nice to have it all in one hardbound book.

I wonder if Dos Equis got the idea for its campaign from Peter Beard? This is an impressive tome. I love the work Taschen has done, as it must have been hard to put into a book something so schizophrenic and seemingly haphazard as Mr. Beard's diaries. The work is art and the book is art, perhaps there is no better praise than that. The printing and reproductions are all technically excellent to my, albeit untrained, eye.This is also a historical artifact regarding post colonialism in Africa. Kenya was a messed up place for quite a while, and conservation was put on hold for all but a few brave souls. There are people must search their soul for taking advantage of Africa, and this book touches me for its sympathetic understanding of the charismatic magafauna of the Mara, the Masai, and extremely beautiful African women.Recommended.

You are getting such a great deal with this price. Do not miss the opportunity. This is a very strange, dark masterpiece. A serious conversation-starter and looks perfect on anyones coffee table. I have dinner parties all the time, and there will always be someone who opens up the book and will be on the couch all night, enthralled by Beard's work. Book includes nudity, blood, dead animals, and strong women. Amazing how the collages take you into Beard's odd mind. It's sort of creepy, and may give you nightmares...but wow, what a masterpiece. What a different perspective. You have discovered an artist, a different way of seeing things, if you will. You will not regret this purchase, trust me.

I have been thinking about buying this book for sometime – but it's a big book and I didn't really have a place that I wanted to keep it – but now that I've bought it it's one of my greatest books and I keep returning to for all its history and such special moments – what an amazing life and what an amazing time to be in Africa – places change – and sometimes we have to be OK with that – what this book teaches us is a bit of history and a lot of passion around the subject matter that we will never really truly know

This was a replacement copy for a book I gave to a friend. I am a huge fan so I replaced it and have thus far only looked at the photos. I am sharing his work with my goddaughter and just realized that the language is German- has this happened to anyone else? Not a huge deal just strange...

This book is a throwback to the wonderful art books of the 60's and 70's: It is massive, very well written and the photography is truly excellent. Peter Beard has always been known as a great photographer, very much interested in the environment, specifically in Africa. The photography in this book shows the reader Beard's life-long commitment to our environment, decades before it became "chic" to do so. Taschen's books have always been known to be of excellent quality and taste, and this is no exception. This is a book to treasure.

... by a unique talent. I travelled around Kenya making photos in 1995 and I am sorry I didn't drop in on Mr. Beard while I was there; we might have had a great visit!This book of his work is very impressive and a great value. Pick it up for your library of photo books; I quite recommend it!

Gorgeous, massive book! An amazing gift for a friend who loves adventures or to indulge yourself in a vicarious experience. You can spend a month poring over the pictures. Also, I could not believe this was a Taschen book for the price: it is worth much more than that, for sure.Book arrived in excellent condition and wrapped to perfection. A great buy!

brilliant. thank you

Excellent book. Dont waste your money on a similer volume of 2 for £150..tut!

Far too large to be enjoyable.

Il libro è molto bello e imponente. Sicuramente una completa rassegna di immagini di questo eccentrico e visionario fotografo. Spedizione Prime, quindi nulla da eccepire!

Consigliato a tutti coloro che vogliono approfondire il lavoro di Peter Beard. Il libro è curato e ben stampato. La sua lettura risulta impegnativa per il numero di pagine non indifferente e per la complessità delle immagini (o forse meglio opere) prodotte da Beard.