viaDigita

Nature’s Chaos is a clear and approachable introduction to the recent science of chaos comprised of an essay by James Gleick (a science writer whose first book Chaos was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award and was a national bestseller) and more than a hundred glowing photographs by internationally-renowned nature photograher Eliot Porter.

Gleick discusses the history of science, emerging concepts like fractals, the apparent consistency of nature’s proportions and patterns whether manifested at large macro levels or infinitessimally small micro levels, and more. He also ably ties this new science to the types of views caught by Eliot Porter’s remarkably gifted eye.

You can see in the varied photos that illustrate this book that Porter’s contention that, “Nature should be viewed without distinction. All her processes and evolutions are beautiful or ugly to the unbiased and undiscriminating observer. She makes no choice herself—everything that happens has equal significance.” is at work as he captures nature in a multitude of new poses. These are not your typical nature photos of glorious blue skys and lofty snow-capped peaks (as beautiful as those very often are).

This is a terrific little book.

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