The National Geographic Society: 100 Years of Adventure and Discovery

by C.D.B. Bryan

C.D.B Bryan's brilliant centennial history of the National Geographic Society--essentially tracing the story of exploration, science, and discovery in the 20th century--sold nearly a million copies a decade ago. The Washington Post called it "a completely fascinating and absorbing book."

Many changes have taken place in the world and at the Society since then, more than enough reason for this enlarged, updated edition.

The text and photographs from the original book are here just as they first appeared, along with two new chapters by C.D.B Bryan and some 40 new photographs. The new material tells of changes in the editorship of the Magazine and the leadership of the Society. Bryan documents a variety of innovations, and explores new contributions that the Society has made to geography education and a revitalized return to an age-old theme--the excitement of exploration.

Bryan's lively text derives from in-depth interviews with key personnel--writers, photographers, editors--and contact with many of the scientists and explorers whose work was sponsored by the Society. He had free access to the Society's remarkable archives, which go back to Robert E. Peary's efforts to reach the North Pole; Hiram Bingham's discovery of Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Inca; Reinhold Messner's super-human solo climb to the summit of Mt. Everest, and countless other records of achievement.

Coupled with the new chapters, as in the rest of this rich, historical volume, are color photographs that add another dimension to the story, for the Geographic is a picture magazine and has long been valued for showing the world the way things look in far-off places. Borrowed from the Magazine's recent pages are photographs from stories such as the one parodying the popular novel and movie, The Bridges of Madison County, that purported to show what a National Geographic photographer was really like. Here also are unique photographs of the 500-year-old frozen Inca mummy found in high-altitude Peru, as well as a dramatic shot from a recent Arctic journey made by explorer-in-residence Will Steger. In addition, the book includes a digitally enhanced image taken with a hand-held camera from the space shuttle Discovery and many other exciting illustrations.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Photography, Nature, Reference, Geography, Adventure

528 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Courtlandt Dixon Barnes Bryan, better known as C. D. B. Bryan, was an American author and journalist.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a member of National Geographic for some years (I think coming up to 30) and the quality and material it prints never ceases to amaze me (no wonder my father is always stealing them off me). This book not only celebrates the first 100 years but takes various subjects that they have covered over the years - from national disasters to world changing historical events and shown how they have been chronicled in the pages of their publications. The book has charted how the society grew and developed, how it embraced change and new media to become the window on the world of science and nature it is today. this book was a real pleasure to read - and for anyone with an inquisitive mind - you will find something of interest in its pages.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved learning about the early history of the society, the explorations, and the desicion making behind the magazine. Towards the end of the book, discovery switched from exploration on land to exploration in science, which lost my interest. This was the main reason why my love for contemporary NG waned. I enjoy more of the humanities than the science.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-fiction

[Craig Bolton]

National Geographic Society: 100 Years of Adventure and Discovery (Abradale Books) by C. D. B. Bryan (2001)

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book!! The photos and the text track the interesting & thrilling adventures of discovery of the World's natural wonders.
I learned a lot about the many explorers over the last 100 years.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good although it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I thought this was going to be a collection of National Geographic's articles from the last 100 years. It does have some short versions of articles but it is actually a history of the National Geographic Society itself. Interesting and informative, although it does bog down every now and then with long lists of members of who was on the list of trustees, who was running what department, and so on at various points during the last hundred years.

[Andrej · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting "backstage" history of the National Geographic magazine. Also includes some of the most iconic photographs and excerpts from various stories published in the last 100 years. It makes me nostalgic for the spirit of exploration that had been part of the mainstream culture until we somehow lost it in the 1970s.

[Stormy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this beautiful, large-format book for the photography. I’ll be looking at it to get moments of inspiration.

[Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent review of the first 100 years of the National Geographic Society. Of course, one enjoys the pictures first of all. But, this book also covers all the heavy hitters of this organization. From the founders A. Graham Bell, and Gilbert Grosvenor. GG was the one that started including photos in the NGS magazine. He is known as the father of photojournalism. Also in this book are the better-known photographers of this magazine. And their photo art. Very fascinating stuff

[Jack Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real enjoyment sitting on my coffee table, this book draws company to its internal journey around the world, compliments of National Geographic's talented photographers and perceptive prose writers who describe the book's contents.

[hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful

[Rob Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the National Geographic's history. A bit too scattershot for readers who aren't NG aficionados.

[daniel dirnfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful images typical pictures by national geographic.this book is a treasure worth buying.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Belle Meade School]

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