Super Vision: A New View of Nature

The concept of this book is an excellent one, trying to encompass views of our universe from the the most minuscule to the colossal. Although many of the images or similar ones could be found in other publications, to have them in a single volume, as Super Vision does, is a wonderful project.Some of the illustrations appear to be unnecessarily large. What is offered in extra-size, with poor resolution and some blurring, could have been presented as smaller and crisper images occupying less than one page instead of one-and-a-half pages, and it would have reduced the book's size without detracting from its considerable virtues. Furthermore, the expansion of an over-sized image to the adjacent page destroys its integrity without adding any value. The only advantage I can see in this would be for the visually impaired.In the book's Introduction (page 18) there is an error in the wavelength scale illustration. The visible spectrum is displayed with the violet color towards the longer wavelengths (infrared) and the the red color towards the shorter ones. This, of course, should be the reverse.I have enjoyed the book greatly, and plan to make it part of my permanent library. The three-star rating would be much higher if it were not for some of the over-sized images which I found unnecessary and, at times, annoying.

Everybody needs this book. I gave a copy to my grandson, who has just started college, and he disappeared into it at once. The idea of this prize-winning book is to show the natural world in new ways, starting with the minutest little things that can only be seen through an electron microscope and going all the way to the incomprehensibly large universe that we live in. The pictures are amazing, and beautifully colorful. Each one is accompanied by a description of what is shown, how the picture was taken, and the information it provides, all written in clear and easy to understand language, nothing too technical. You can study this book from beginning to end, or you can just dip in and see what marvels you find each timeI can't recommend this book too highly.

From protons to parsecs, Ivan Amato's "Super Vision" reveals what many scientists know: the universe is a visually stunning place. This remarkable collection of images, coupled with Amato's compelling captions, shows the art that can be found in science. Thanks to advances in instruments ranging from atom smashers to telescopes, combined with unprecedented computer power, the phenomena of the cosmos can be painted in vivid color. Scientists use these images in their daily effort to understand the universe; we can enjoy them for pure aesthetic pleasure. Covering 42 orders of magnitude (powers of ten), "Super Vision" shows us the abstract swirls of a decaying particle, the eerie machinery of a spider's spinnerets, how zebrafish scales can look like a Balinese hillside, and the tortured faces of distant planets. For a guide to the art in our natural world, this is the book. It's as beautiful as the universe it describes.

A view of Nature? Perhaps it refers to the physics of light and sound while using some biological subjects to discuss these things? I expected a biology book. They use the word nature in a much broader category than I expected, very disappointed with the book, but only because I was looking for a book to motivate me into using my microscope. The images and discussions in this book are done from God only knows what kind of technology - needless to say a microscope I will never own. Understand I say all this without reading it before writing this. I'm sure it it a good book for the right audience. The dangers of internet buying. Also, I got it for 6.99 free shipping.

This is an absolutely beautiful book showing images from the tiniest entities to the largest in the world. It should be on everyone's coffee tableor in everyone's library. The book gives a perspective made possible by the use of various means of taking pictures in such a way as to make the viewer see in a different way. The images are both informative and artistic. Ivan Amato accompanies the images with clear and succint explanations.

I purchased this book because I work in a scanning electron microscopy lab and the images in this book are stellar! I use the book to show friends and family examples of really small stuff in great detail. It also serves as an inspirational tool for when I have down time and want to look at random stuff under the scope. The book is awesome, you most likely will not regret the purchase!

I bought this book hoping to share it with my grandchildren age 4-12. It's a bit deep for them, although the 7 year old enjoyed browsing through it with me. On the other hand, my husband and I adored it. Everything the other reviewers said is true.

So many fascinating pictures with many vibrant colors. The pictures are large with very little description text which makes it a wonderful picture book for all ages, including infants.

A very useful and beautiful research book for any artist and designer who is looking for real natural shapes, textures and patterns, which are so small that they are almost always hidden to us.