A World in One Cubic Foot: Portraits of Biodiversity

Liittschwager's work, on display at the Smithsonian in 2018, was as dazzling as it was solid field work. His book, a truly heavy coffee table tome, is equally as dazzling. If you question what shares this planet with us right down to the diatoms and blades of grass, you will love this book.

If you only want a coffee table book, forget it. This is meant to be read and appreciated for the science behind it, and the photos. If you are a religious person and have ever heard of the argument from design about the existence of God, you will certainly find verification here. There is no way this earth's design could have happened by chance. This is not a theological book, since you may be afraid of theology like most prejudiced pseudo scientists I know, but a book based on observation of the world around us. I don't want to recount what is in it, It is too amazing to spoil by review of the contents including Central Park in New York. Buy it, read it, and re-think your views of the world of nature. It might help intelligent religious people argue their way back into the rational world of science, philosophy, and theology.

Nowadays I generally buy books in electronic form, as I am pretty much out of shelf space and love the flexibility of a library on my tablet device. This book is an exception. It's an oversized book of high quality, with brilliant white glossy pages to set off David's exquisite photographs. Indeed, the book is one square foot in size. There is just enough text in each chapter to complement the ecosystem it features, including the problems enountered when deciding where exactly to place the one cubic foot container to attract the most biodiversity. It's a fascinating picture book for adults, but biology-minded kids in their teens will also enjoy it.

The concept of this book is simple but powerful - what are the creatures that live within one cubic foot of space, in different spaces in the world? - and the photographs of some of the creatures are simply stunning. The combination of the two is less compelling than I had expected, though, perhaps because the book doesn't convey the dynamism of what's going on within the cubic foot.An extraordinary accomplishment, though.

I listened to a show about this on NPR, then read Krulwich's review of the book on his blog. The picture of the corn field is front and center in the blog post! Alas, it is not to be seen in this book, and it is the reason I got this book. That was what made the concept interesting to me. I thought it was going to be about changing biodiversity and human impacts and things like that.Alas, it is more about bugs and some fishes...which are beautiful and fascinating, don't get me wrong! But just not what I wanted. I'll be returning the book.This may be some people's thing, but not mine.

This is a beautiful, aesthetic and scientific look at our world in the closest of ways. We have taken sections at a time to look at with our entire family, marveling at the perfection in a microcosm of life. It's not a book you'll pick up and casually glance through -- it's more a book you'll purposefully study, but it's worth the time and effort.

This is the equivalent of a doctoral thesis in both pictures and print. David Littschwager's idea was creative and informative. He offers five scenarios for his cubic foot worlds and each is mesmerizing. Each abounds in minute forms of life and each of these forms are multi-celled creatures even as we are. The complexity of the world is brought home to us dramatically. The book is coffee-table size but the content cannot be written off easily. It can offer both information and wonder for years to come.

I can't even imagine the work that went into this book. It is absolutely fascinating in both concept and presentation, as well as an important reminder about what our world is made up of. The photographs or tiny creatures that one wouldn't even notice in real life are astounding. The writing is an inspiration to make us care more for our environment. I can't remember a book that I have enjoyed as much.

Un'idea bellissima e realizzata magistralmente. Io l'ho regalato (ed è stato molto gradito da chi l'ha ricevuto) ma prima l'ho sfogliato bene: foto stupende che riescono a dare un'idea di cosa sia un ecosistema e mostrano la varietà degli animali, anche i più piccoli. Lo consiglio caldamente!

totally fascinating. beautiful photos & production, great diversity. of subject takes me from the tropics to NYC Central Park & uncovers awe & mystery!