I bought this book as a gift for my husband - it is really beautiful and we both enjoyed it!

It is obvious by looking at the other reviews that the controversy over this book's layout is frustratingly bifurcated for the undecided buyer. The book has a delightfully bold layout and my review is as follows; the white backgrounds create a uniformity that stabilizes the book page to page. Additionally, the white aids the effort to capture the intrinsic 'creature' within each animal. Unless there can be an appreciation and an understanding for the blankness within this book, its purchase will sadly be seen as a waste. It is comforting to know that, regardless of harsh critics and naive readers, the book was driven solely by simple design. In our capitalistic economy today, it is difficult to create a sound book without trying to appeal to public tastes, but Andrew Zuckerman succeeded with Creature.

The photos in this book are amazing. They are very detailed and clean, accompanied by the white background every animal comes alive. The back of the book helps you identify what each creature is. There is a massive amount of 'blank' space in the book, which some reviewers dislike. It is intimidating at first, but really draws your attention to the animal. My only dislike about this book is how bulky it is. For such sleek photos, the book is extremely thick, large, and heavy (though this does mean the photos are of decent size). I hope you have a big coffee table.

Andrew Zuckerman's photography is amazing and awe inspiring. Looking at his images becomes a meditation.

The book was created to show the elegancy and wonder of the animals in our world. The pictures are clear and very close up to capture the beaty of the animal. The creator of this pictorial has done an excellent job. I am very pleased with the book.

The photos in this book are absolutely amazing. Mr. Zuckerman truly captured the personality of each animal. In looking at these pictures, I almost felt like I was having a conversation with each individual. This book is a beautiful work of art!

Reviewing a book such as this is probably as difficult as it is to describe having seen in person the animals that Andrew Zuckerman saw and photographed. He offers 175 full-color high definition images assembled in a coffee-table book that commands attention with its stunning cover shot of a black panther. Other images include those of bears, mandrills, parrots, and baby leopards. No text is provided nor is any necessary because it would be intrusive and thus a distraction. Literally, Zuckerman's art speaks for itself with and does so with visual eloquence. Any words of mine are inadequate except to say "Magnificent!"

I couldn't wait to get this book. I caught an episode of Ellen when he came and spoke of his work. It sounded unbelievable. I agree after seeing it that the photography and technique are fantastic. But I also agree with the folks who commented about blank pages. They have their place BUT... along with 2 pages for a tiny bee I was less than impressed by the grasshopper stuck in the page fold. Although it was a beautiful closeup enlargement it was difficult to appreciate it positioned as it was. The coffee table is mandatory because you cannot sit with this 6 pound book in your lap and enjoy it. It needs to be spread out completely in order to find some of the animals. I'm glad I got it, had a few good looks through it, and even happier I sold it and got my money back. Talk a friend into buying it and look at it at their house, you'll be happy you did.

This is a very inspiring book for me. However, as much as I can appreciate a good layout, I guess would favor more detail over white space.

This book is beautiful. Everyone who looks at it is wowed with the turn of every page. I recommend this to anyone interested in photography or animals. It's absolutely amazing.

The best coffee table book for people ages 2 to 102.
We love the minimalism and great cropping.

THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT ONE OF THE MOST ENCHANTING BOOKS OF PHOTOGRAPHY I HAVE EVER SEEN - IT WAS GIVEN TO ME AS A GIFT AND I IMMEDIATELY ORDERED 2 TO GIVE TO OTHERS.

I came across this book in a luxury goods store before the holidays and absolutely fell in love. The photography is amazing and it is beautifully laid out. It is great for adults and children alike. I was so impressed I gave one to every friend and family member for Christmas.

This is is absolutely breathtaking. I love each photographs intricate detail. However, the tortoise in the classification section is incorrectly named, both scientifically and the local english name. The toroise is not a Loggerhead Sea Turtle, aka Caretta caretta.

I received this book as a gift, and I will be honest--I was floored. "Creatures" that are meant to be hidden in their respective habitats are given their due majesties when planted on blank canvas. Every detail is available, stark and sometimes overwhelming. Some photos look painted, a testament that Nature oftentimes makes the best art.

I do have to say that I don't understand some other reviewers who gave this book a low rating because there are blank pages which are "insulting". What exactly is insulting about this? In my opinion, the placements of the various animals on the pages give the effort fluidity and movement in a collection of still photos; furthermore, the blank pages (when they're there) add to the value of portrait by highlighting the animal alone. After all, we paid for photos of animals with no background. It's what we received.

I believe the book would be sorely lacking if we were given 175 animals photographed ala prison photos to be placed in the center of each page. The results would be slow, tired and common, and would detract greatly from the goal of this book: To bring the essence--the motion--of the animal into utmost focus. This book attempts to present the dual beauty of the still moment, as Zuckerman writes at its end: animal life in a still frame capture and it's simultaneous movement.

I highly recommend it, "insults" or no.

From the moment I learned of this project, I eagerly awaited my copy of Creature. Andrew Zuckerman did not disappoint. The photos are spectacular, the animals amazing, and the layout of the book intriguing. Whether you're into photography, wildlife, or art, this is a must have book for the top of your coffee table. Kudos to Andrew for this exceptional work of art.

I love the concentration on the creatures, not the surround. The plain and simple white background lets the emphasis fall on the magnificent animals - from insects to elephants. It is a unique book where you can count the hairs on beautiful mammals and almost feel the crystal clear scales of a reptile. The design of the white space is particularly important in seeing the book as both an artistically designed work of art and a lesson in the beauty of mother nature's wondrous creatures.

Creature is a breathtaking look at a very broad range of animals with a unique perspective. It is easy to get lost in the artistry and quality of the photographs that show detail not typically included in children or museum books.

Toward the end of the book, he photographer notes that the use of images on white is not only intentional, it is the motivation behind the entire series of photographs. To lament the amount of blank space allocated in the book is to miss the point. Stripped of their environment, some creatures are close, far, or simply alive.

Creature is not a book to merely flip from page to page, but instead to relish each individual spread for its perspective. Moving too quickly means missing the details; the photographer and designer have created a book that decidedly invites the reader to slow down and stay for a spell.

This book indeed has some spectacular photographs; unfortunately, they're outnumbered perhaps 4 to 1 by small, low-resolution pictures "artfully" posed in the corners or edges of large, empty, white pages. This is irritating right from the start, and becomes insulting long before reaching the end.

Creature is a work of art. It connects you with a single moment that is real -- might be whimsical, hungry, frightening -- but each page is virtually alive.

A good reminder that all creatures are individuals with memorable moments.

We bought this book for our daughter who loves animals. It is beautifully done and she loves the simplicity of it.
Additionally the index in the back of the book shows a small photo of each animal along with the names, scientific and common.
I would have given it 5 stars except that our copy has a small production hitch where a few of the pages are duplicates and one animal is missing.

I would suggest that the shopper buy this book for the Amazon price. I unfortunately bought it for the suggested retail price and was rather disappointed when I took the wrapper off. The book makes use of high resolution images but some only utilize a small portion of the page while others occupy two pages. Some pages are totally blank and sometimes number two in between page turns. For example, the image of the bee would have much better close up to see the detail but it is life size, on one page, with the accompanying page left blank and these pages are large. It seems such a waste of space to have all these blank pages and for the retail price, it is insulting. I had buyer's remorse after seeing the price listed here on Amazon for the same book. I understand artistic license and symbolism but the pages left blank and on such a huge book leaves me with the feeling of imcompleteness.