Splendido! This is perhaps the only way to describe this book, a superb photographic tableau that shows Italy from all angles with all the artistic insight and technical innovation worthy of the Bel Paese. All of Italy unfolds in a sumptuous collection of aerial images taken by photographers who know and love their own country. This is a "trophy" book on a land that, from above, appears to have been laid out by a master eye. Specially commissioned photographers have explored everywhere to bring the reader unusual perspectives on the country's breathtaking beauty and its many identities, from folk to high art. The Alps in the north and the volcano-hewn coastlines of the south, majestic cathedrals and Roman ruins, colorful cities and hidden villages-these are all part of Italy. The photos in this book invite the reader to ponder these treasures anew, while appreciating the human life in their midst. Fascinating images of familiar landmarks appear, but surprises hide around every corner.This book captures the many flavors of Italy in ways that few books can. All of Italy's regions spring to life dramatically in these gorgeous photos. Italy has cultivated beauty, art, and science for centuries, and in this book the Bel Paese itself-its terrain, its monuments, its people-appears as a masterpiece....

From lush forests to still deserts, from the grandeur of mountains to the serenity of the seas, La Tierra's fifteen chapters illustrate the most spectacular aspects of the Earth's diverse environments. The varied landscapes and changing colors of the planet are showcased in high-impact photographs, while special sections are dedicated to places of extreme nature including glaciers, canyons, waterfalls, and volcanoes. The vibrant commentary examines humankind's relationship with the Earth and marvels at the admiration, lyricism, wonder, and emotion the planet arouses....