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Canonical name: National Geographic Society
Other names: NatGeo
National Geographic
Birthdate: 1888-01-13
Gender: n/a
Awards and honors: Premio Príncipe de Asturias (Communications and Humanities ∙ 2006)
American Society of Magazine Editors National Magazine Award (Photography)
University of Missouri-National Press Photographers (Best Use of Pictures - 1986)
Nationality: USA
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., USA
Map Location: USA

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422 reviews

fountainoverflows 935 reviews

Every Human Has Rights: What You Need to Know About Your Human Rights by National Geographic

This is a very attractive photographic work from 2008, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It presents the 30 articles of the Declaration in kid-friendly language, successfully communicating the gist of each. As one would anticipate with a National Geographic production, the photography is exceptional. As one also might expect, given that the book is now nearly two decades old, some of the information that accompanies certain articles is no longer show more accurate. At the time of publication, same-sex marriage was legal in only a handful of countries. In 2026, it is lawful in 39. The book celebrates the 2004 election in Afghanistan, but it’s debatable if that election was in fact free and fair. Other 21st-century elections held there are known to have been marred by corruption, and now, of course, the Taliban have done away with them entirely.

The editors of the book have included a number of poems and short pieces of prose by children and young adults. While there are a couple of gems, most of the writing is disappointing. Having been a teacher for many years, I’ve seen some wonderful work by kids, and I honestly expected better quality in this book.

Past president of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson reminds us in her foreword that the Declaration was written in the aftermath of World War II, when the horrors of the Holocaust were fresh in people’s minds. Part of the impetus for creating the document was to ensure that genocide would never again be permitted. Who would have thought that the very group victimized by the Nazis would themselves be perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide? Who would’ve thought that Western liberal democracies would permit such acts and not check the perpetrator?

I found the reading of this to be a very sad experience. Human rights appear to have fallen by the wayside.

I know most children would be open to the articles presented here. So many adults who run the world, however, have cynically forgotten them and do nothing to fulfill their obligations to our fellow humans. show less

Jun 21, 20268 other reviews

Dilip-Kumar 562 reviews

This England by National Geographic Society (U.S.)

This series of old NatGeo color volumes (the World in Colour Library) has a certain charm and nostalgia value that I, for one, cannot resist. The very graininess and muted colour pallet of the photographs, the old styles and honest ordinary folk they present, the portraits of places as they were decades ago with much fewer vehicles and more local animals (this one was first published in 1966), the artistic creativity of their maps and charts, all these factors make them my favourites. This show more volume takes a broad sweep (with many side sallies) of all the regions of Ye Olde England, with a tilt toward the historical and cultural connections. It honestly makes me want to go and do my own exploration of the hills and dales of this green island! show less

Mar 16, 20231 other review

unabridgedchick 679 reviews

National Geographic Almanac 2020: Trending Topics - Big Ideas in Science - Photos, Maps, Facts & More by National Geographic

Breaking bread is the universal bonding mechanism of humanity. At a table, over food, one has no enemies.

National Geographic magazine is a sentimental staple in my life: I grew up on old issues given to me by neighbors and treasured the subscriptions I got for Christmas. I've given up my paper magazines in the name of conservation but am still drawn to that familiar yellow border and the images and knowledge within.

I hadn't had an opportunity to pour over any of NatGeo's annual almanacs show more until offered one for review, and it's an ultra dose of everything the magazine does well, broken up into small, easily consumed tidbits. It's perfect for trivia nerds and kids: most of the topics are covered in two pages or less, broken up with NatGeo's trademark stunning photography or infographics and timelines for context.

Between us, I'm not precisely sure what makes this an 'almanac' in the way I understand an almanac (weather or astrological predictions) but the topics presented are timely and relevant: recent scientific discoveries (importance of sleep), anniversaries (10th anniversary of Ada Lovelace Day), concepts (gender as a spectrum), cutting edge thinkers (immersive journalist Paul Salopek, whose quote opens my review), historical figures (Semiramis), and research that reached mainstream media (brain-gut connection). There's also tons of trivia: the biggest things, deepest things, maps of countries and rows of flags, the kind of stuff I loved stumbling over when paging through encyclopedias.

What I appreciate in this book is what I appreciate about NatGeo's work in general: there is a reverence for the planet and an affection for all people that invites the reader to see themselves as a piece of a larger, interconnected story. This book is great for anyone who enjoys the surprise of stumbling across a tidbit new to them, but also strikes me as a great springboard for homeschool or independent study. Unabridged Kid (4.5 years old) and I have been turning to it almost daily to explore a page of nerdiness or pour over the striking pictures. I anticipate this will become an annual arrival in our house now and it makes me more than a little sentimental to pass on my love for NatGeo to him. show less

Oct 9, 20194 other reviews

BooksCooksLooks 1,279 reviews

Food Journeys of a Lifetime 2nd Edition: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe by National Geographic

Oh. My. Word.

Since I have been stuck on my couch and really haven’t gone anywhere due to the pandemic that shall not be named I really needed a book like this. It’s big. Full of bold, glorious photos of all of the places I want to go when one can go again.

And then there is the food. Food is half of the fun of travel isn’t it? Now, some food in some places is not food I am going to try but that doesn’t mean that I don’t read about it. I love to cook only seconded by going out to show more eat.

Sitting with this book in my lap – which I have done more than once since it arrived – is pure escape for me. Just what I need living in my little city so far away from anything exotic.

I know I will be turning to it in the depths of winter when I need to journey to a place where to food is exotic and the temperatures are warm. show less

Nov 2, 20223 other reviews

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