The 21st Century- Photographs From the Image Collection from National Geographic

The 21st Century- Photographs from the Image Collection of National Geographic

Published by National Geographic ISBN 9781426222375

Hardcover, $50, 430 pages

Each year around this time, National Geographic publishes a few coffee table books that would make wonderful holiday gifts. This year, add The 21st Century- Photographs From The Image Collection  to that list.

With over 11.5 million photos in their photographic archives and more than 50 million photos on their digital servers, National Geographic explores our "shared history through photography" and in this brilliant book they explore the first 21 years of the 21st century. 

Photographer Brent Stirton believes that photography is "bearing witness to the truth". In this book, we bear witness to history, nature, animals and the people of the 21st century through stunning photos. Interspersed throughout the book are pages titled Through the Lens where photographers explain how and why they got the shot.

We see incredible photos of a "glass frog" that looks like it is transparent, a huge polar bear peering through the door of cabin, and orphan elephants playing together. A photo of a mass mosaic created by Korean children is amazing, as is one of the Artic National Park in Alaska. 

There is an incredible overhead shot of 1902 canoes and kayaks trying to break a record for the most boats together. Kindergarteners nestled in their blankets for naptime, and an overhead photo of newborn babies in an Orlando hospital will melt your heart.

Astronaut Scott Kelly's spacewalk shot is brilliant, and a photo of surgeons standing over a face prepared to be transplanted will take your breath away. The photos of the abandoned and destroyed Chernobyl control room 20 years later and three first responders looking up at the scene in New York on 9/11 take you right back to those historic incidents, as does the one of Capitol police officer Eugene Goodman holding off the mob that tried to take over the Capitol building on January 6th.

If you know someone who appreciates photography, or who used to have a subscription to National Geographic magazine, The 21st Century is a book they will treasure for years to come. It will give them hours of enjoyment, and it's something to share with the entire family.

Thanks to TLC Tours for putting me on this tour. The rest of the stops are here:

Tour schedule:

Tuesday, November 2nd: she treads softly
Wednesday, November 3rd: A Bookish Way of Life
Thursday, November 4th: Instagram: @the_booksandwich
Friday, November 5th: Instagram: @nurse_bookie
Monday, November 8th: Laura’s Reviews
Tuesday, November 9th: Instagram: @geronimoreads
Wednesday, November 10th: 5 Minutes For Books
Monday, November 15th: bookchickdi
Tuesday, November 16th: Instagram: @extrovertedforbooks
Wednesday, November 17th: Instagram: @tarheelreader