James and Other Apes

by James Mollison

Book Overview

Fifty great apes--chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos, our closest biological relatives--are featured in this series of portraits by James Mollison. Photographed over a span of four years in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0954689402
• ISBN13: 9780954689407
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Chris Boot
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 3.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 11.0" x 14.9"

Customer Reviews

A great work in primate portraiture

Mollison's "James and Other Apes" consists of a series of large prints of close-cropped frontal face shots of a number of chimps, gorillas, orangs, and bonobos (in that order.) The lighting and photographic quality is excellent. The work constitutes a compelling examination of both the individuality each ape possesses and the clear and deep connections we still have with our distant cousins. Jane Goodall wrote a nice introduction that compliments the books silent call for attention to the plight of these magnificent species and individuals. This is a great coffee table book for anyone interested in photography, portraiture or primates.

A magnificent book

First of all, this is a wery unique book. There is only minimal amount of text, the main body of the book being designated for presenting photographed facial close-up portraits of great apes, fifty individuals in total. The visual outlook of the book is almost poetic. But this book is not only a collection of photographs. In the end of the book there are short biographies for each of these individuals, the brief desctiptions giving each face a truley unique personality. And at least for me, the essence of this book is in fact in these - quite often sad - biographies. Altough many of the photographed apes have had traumatic experiences as a result of human cruelty, in the end the warmth of these magnificent beings shines trough. Personally I have not considered myself as an ape enthusiast, but after this book I truley am. I recommend it to all who appreciate the variety of life on this planet. This book is a beautiful homage to our close cousins.

a Rorschach test for humanity

I had vaguely heard of this book, then surprisingly received it as a gift. It's not what I expected, and is beyond what I could have imagined. Only a few of the protraits could be considered cute or endearing - most are penetrating, a few are frightening. In thumbing through the pages, there's no doubt I'm face to face with other soulful, conscious beings. This book is definitely the safest way to look a great ape in the eyes, and provides a far more intimate opportunity to gaze into and scrutinize the dimentions of a face than we generally have even with other human beings. Without a doubt, the best gift of this book was in watching my reactions rise to each portrait, delving into my own fears and attractions. Each face made me ponder what is human, what is alien, and what is the faint line between? I've been an ape fan for years, I need no convincing of our shared worth. But this is the first time I've recognized how foridable in soul, purpose, and spirit apes actually are. This book is an excellent reality check for anyone who wonders about their place under the sun.