THIS is a magnificent collection of photographs chosen from more than 48,000 entries from 98 countries.

They cover all aspects of animal life through their natural environments to unfamiliar backgrounds, from the worlds of ice to the hot jungles and deserts.

They also cover various age groups so we see some of the developing talents of young photographers from around the world.

Each photograph, wonderfully reproduced, is accompanied by an extended caption giving information about the photographer, where the photograph was taken and details about the camera used and the settings used to produce the photograph.

If you are interested in wildlife and landscape or you are a photographer of any description this superb book will be of lasting interest and will provide many hours of interesting perusal.