April 22 is National Earth day. Happy Earth day. The world should celebrate and support the environmental protection of our planet.
In the library today, is a very good, albeit early example of this, “The Earth as Modified by Human Action” by George Marsh, published in 1877. It is a superb book observing what man has done to the environment through the years. Oh, and this copy was printed almost 150 years ago…and is second edition. The original came out in 1874. This is a very readable and thought provoking book. One of his big concerns is using up our wood supplies.
Also have “Earth From Above…365 days” by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, 2001. This beautiful book has 365 breathtaking pictures from around the world. Each stunning photo has a companion description and location. It was a wonderful gift from a dear friend from Target. I return to this book often. One can really appreciate the diversity that Earth has to give us, and how we use this Earth, through the pages of this book. For every photo has the element of human touch in it.
Both of these books are not just Trophies on a shelf. They both offer more if we look at them, and think about them. As Marsh says on page 12 of his book, “sight is a faculty; seeing an art.”
April 22 is also Flat Earth Day. And I have a book on that.
The book “One Hundred Proofs that the Earth is not a Globe” by William Carpenter, 1929 was published by Wilber Glen Voliva, Zion Illinois. It gives one hundred reasons to claim that the Earth is indeed flat. And it is a book with history of my hometown.
April 22 is also National Pinup Day. So for something not so flat, I have a popup book that I bought at a movable book convention in Philidelphia. My mom, who also collected pop-up books went to the convention with me.
Each page of this risque (but discreet) book has illustrations, and movable functions from the art of Gil Elvgren, an avid successful pin-up painter from the 1930’s to the 1970’s.
I hope you have enjoyed this ‘around the world’ selection of books. Who knows where you are transported to, when in this library. Thanks for reading…or even just for looking at the pictures.
Librarytomes 