Archipelago: Portraits of Life in the World’s Most Remote Island Sanctuary
David Liittschwager and Susan Middleton
280p. color
$65.00
National Geographic Books

For many the Hawaiian Islands means solely O`ahu, Maui, Kaua`i, Länai`i, Moloka`i, and the Big Island of Hawai`i. But these are actually the baby siblings to a collection of older islands, atolls and shoals, referred to as the Leeward, or Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). Stretching more than 1,000 miles beyond the island of Kaua`i, the NWHI, contain nearly 70 percent of the United States’ coral reefs and provide refuge for monk seals, sea turtles, a vast number of seabirds, plants, and insects.

Because of strict protective guidelines, humans are rarely allowed on these islands except in authorized research and conservation expeditions. Fortunately for the rest of us, award-winning environmentalists and documentary filmmakers David Liittschwager and Susan Middleton joined forces and were allowed an extended visit to these beautiful islands, all with the purpose of recording the breathtaking selection of native flora and fauna. The result is Archipelago, a hefty tome that journals the adventure of exploring the islands, but more importantly catalogs—through 150 stunning portraits—the wide range of creatures that live both on land and in the ocean.

Half of the pages showcase full-page portraits of the flora and fauna of these remarkable islands. The clarity and richness of each photo provides amazing detail of the plant and animal life that is beautiful but also threatened. The authors hope this book will heighten public awareness of these remaining vestiges of natural beauty, resulting in greater support for protective measures.

The succinct text details the adventures from the duo’s expeditions. . Well written and informative, the brief accounts of exploration are punctuated by the large photo portraits, plus more than 150 smaller full-color shots.

Archipelago is the follow up to the authors’ Remains of a Rainbow.