Material World: A Global Family Portrait
by Charles C. Mann, Peter Menzel
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Book Reviews of Material World: A Global Family Portrait
Book Review: a global portrait indeed
Summary: 5 Stars
This is such an exciting book because it brings so many cultures together and shows us how fascinating other people live. Its so easy to take for granted the things that you have in this world when there are others who have simply nothing. Menzel photographs families outside their homes with their belongings. While most families have adequate provisions, some seem to be from a different century. Its hard also to fathom how some of these families live, such as the Bosnians who hide in fear, or the Ethiopian children who have tasks such as collecting dung and pasting it onto their walls, while Nepalese families live about their livestocks and have marijuana growing in their fields. I appreciate the spreads showing different bathrooms (ranging from a hole in the ground to Turkish standing commode), foods, and classrooms. Besides the pictures of families and their possessions, Menzel included facts about the families' countries and pointed out why this would be considered a stereotypical family. This was surprising because I didnt realize that a rural Chinese family would be the norm, nor did I suspect that smaller families would be the norm for some Latin American countries. I also thought it was interesting that Menzel included a table comparing the wealth of the countries, its amazing that such poverty exists. It really opens up your eyes to the global portrait. I agree with another reviewer that this is definately a must have for gift giving and personal collection. This is perfect for any photography love, or anyone intrigued by the world and its people.Book Review: It's the best give away book ever
Summary: 5 Stars
Every one who cares for the world and people must have this book. Every time I buy a copy and leave it on the table, friends come by and are amazed. It's a pleasure to give it away as a present because it's not like any ordinary book - it's a pleasure to receive it back again in the post...
Our children browse through it and are reading it and each time they come 'back to earth'. Really : it's a must have !!
Book Review: Buy this book!
Summary: 5 Stars
You will not regret buying this book, I promise. It is excellent. You will see raw facts about life around the world. It is honest and open and hugely informative.Book Review: A student
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm 17 now, but we used this book during a World Cultures & Geography class in my freshman year of high school. It's so interesting and I would comlpetely recommend it for educational purposes or just for fun. Book Review: Our homes speak volumes about us
Summary: 5 Stars
This book brings us into the homes of ordinary people around the world and introduces us to their families and their possessions. The photography is astounding! One striking thing that I noticed is that even those families living in the most dire poverty took pride in being clean and well-groomed. The same is true for their homes. Included in the book are intriguing statistics. For example, we learn that Albania leads the world in cigarette consumption; that Western Samoa ranks first in teen suicide among world nations; and that the second largest per capita electricity user in the world is Iceland! One question that the authors/photographers asked of the families they interviewed was "What is your wish for the future?" Many answered that they wanted livestock or a television or a car. Especially telling was the reply given by the Guatemalan family. They wished only "to stay alive".
I'm not so sure about the "statistically average" American family they chose to include. Is it the fact that I don't believe that most Americans are all about guns, Bibles and cowboy hats? Or is it the troubling thought that this might indeed be the case?