Portraits and Photos Books

I bought this book for my wife's birthday which was in May. She loves to read all of Doris Kerns Goodwin works. The book was in excellent shape just like it came off the shelf. The shipping was very fast and within reason. I will buy more books from Amazon and your reccomended suppliers.
Thank You, William D. English

Beautiful photographs of family weddings. Nice of the Kennedy family to share the photo's of their private moments.Obviously there are 3 photographers who do their weddings and they had permission to run these photos. One of the photographers was Jay Mulvaney and another man called Mr. Reggie took JFK JR and Carolyn's pictures in addition to Arnold and Maria's pictures and the reason I would imagine he is so discreet as his sister is the second wife of Ted Kennedy, Victoria Reggie.)These photographers would make a small fortune if they ever released pictures not previously seen. It would be nice to see more than one of John and Carolyn's wedding, but I guess that is up to the Kennedy's and the Bessette's and they would have to be in agreement. Knowing how much Caroline Kennedy hates the press I doubt it will ever happen.

I love this book on the Kennedys! Definitely it is my favorite Kennedy biography and one of my favorite books ever! Includes many beautiful pictures and great details.

Although rather voyeuristic in its concept, this book is a lovely scrapbook of the nuptials of America's most famous political family.

The photographs are poignant and artful, and the text, while syncophantic, is illuminating with all sorts of wedding minutiae.

The only error I've found in the book is the omission of Robin Lawford in the family tree at the front of the book; all other Kennedy cousins are present in the tree, but Robin must have flown the coop.

You'll enjoy this book, if such books are your sort of thing.

I loved this wonderful collection of stories and photographs about the weddings in the Kennedy family history. In a way, they are America's family (warts and all!) and to see a hundred years worth of fashion, fashions and celebrating was a joy from cover to cover.

I read Mr. Mulvaney's other book, JACKIE HER CLOTHES OF CAMELOT and bought this one as well...it's a complete delight and will make a lovely gift to my friends as they get married.

Well done Jay Mulvaney!

I liked this book but couldn't get through a lot of the letters, they were so fake seeming, though I'm sure they weren't. The general storyline was good and the pictures are telling in their crudeness. A nice "coffee table" book.

I was happy to get my hand on this book, since it truly changed my opinions about people in the sexy dancing industry. Who are the victims here? The dancers? The customers? None of them? All of them? There are no easy answers after looking in this amazing piece of work. Beasley has managed to really look into the human side of this world, which is all to often showed in a matter of cheap sensation. I would say this is documentary photography at it's very best. Moving, clever, passionate photographs that really makes a difference.

when I first saw this book, it captured my attention right away. Finally, a real life account of a woman with a plan who "chooses" the darker side of employment to find finacial security. Not only that, but it included short stories from the woman she worked with AND the customers they served.
How could this get better?
PICTURES! very real pictures of real people displaying the Grit, the Glamore, and sometimes the "I don't want to see that". I love artsy coffee table type books and this is now a permanent fixture in my living room.
I've spent many a night in the loud, dark, smokey clubs filled with naked woman shaking their ass-ettes in my face. I never truly understood the truth behind their job or life style untill I picked up this book.
This book is real, its raw, and it sheds a dim light on the subject of stripping. I recomend this book to anyone who has ever been to aa strip club, or entertained the idea of working at one.

Juliana Beasley shows a real and sometimes shocking side of the strip club industry. The pictures are not of glamourous dancers, they are of real women who work in strip club, and their stories aren't always pretty. She is honest about what goes on in the lap dance rooms.

As a dancer I can relate to what was written in this book. My experience has been different than the author's, but I recognize the stories she tells and I appreciate that she didn't sugar coat the truth of the matter. She was honest about her participation, and that is refreshing, and her photography is beautiful.

Great book, the photo's are an insightful look into a world most of us never see.

Beasely captures natural and spontaneous moments that at times were shocking and sensitive towards the subject matter. As a veteran stripper, she looks wisely at her own experience working as a lapdancer. The book is also interspersed with sincere interviews with customers and dancers. throughout the book.

Unlike other readers in the review section, I was particuliarly moved by the humanization of the subjects instead of what one normally sees--sensationalized male fantasies. No Barbie dolls here! Most impressive are the customers' honest dire need for closeness and the dancers sincere ambivalence about their relationships and simultaneous cunning to make a good salary.

I found this book a contradictory pleasure and at the same time a bolt disturbing reality of a world in which the lonely buy affection and attention.

I'm thankful there are some artists out there who are not afraid of showing the truth without imbedding their own feminist agendas into the framework of a documetary book which is complete with photos and text.

A must read!

The photographs are interesting to look at, but the stories that accompany them are awful! They're poorly written. Also, the intro to the book over-stresses the fact that this is the "instant access generation." That's not really news, and I think it pigeonholes teenagers too much. It's the completely obvious way to look at teenagers right now. And though Franzini stresses in the intro that he identified himself to the teens as a peer, he definitely comes across as someone with an agenda, looking at teenager as specimen. I also don't like the way they used a low-angle shot on the overweight girl, making her look even huger. I bought this at the same time as "It's Complicated," another photo book of teenagers, and "It's Complicated" is MUCH Better, more honest and less other-izing of teenagers.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1CXY6H5MKQ650 I love this book. It documents America's youth today in a stunning and sometimes shocking way bringing back memories of teenage anxiety and joy. I lool forward to other works from this brillant documentarian and photographer, Michael Franzini.

This book is captivating. A very personal glimpse into the life of 100 individual personalities. Independently, each is fascinating. Collectively, it is an even more compelling look at a generation.

Terrific, it's all there, the kids' hopes and dreams, their passions, fears, mistakes.
Michael Francini (and his team) did a terrific job in finding such a diverse group of 100 youths around the country.
The portraits are fabulous. Each one made to fit and doing justice to the person in the picture. All telling different stories. Great light, composure, good ideas and great people, all of them! This is what portrait photography is about.
We all can learn from each and everyone in the book. From who they are, what they want to be and what they have to say. Listen, try to understand and it will make you a better person.

One Hundred Young Americans is an eye-opener for me. I consider myself pretty connected with the youth of today but after reading this beautifully published piece, my perspective has broadened immensely. Franzini's lens captures the emotions, aspirations, and dreams of his subjects with vivid and detailed artfulness. The images are provocative and many times playful. Though I learned and got reaquainted with today's young people through Franzini's eyes, I almost feel like I personally knew many of these kids when I was in high school.

I just went to Princes of Wales Island, Thorne Bay, Alaska from Dallas, Texas. I became really intersted in bears after seeing black bears on various rivers that I was fly fishing for salmon on around the area of Thorne Bay. I found this book in a book store in Bellingham, Washington on my return back to Texas. Wonderful pictures and the stories are mind boggling. I enjoyed this book so much and learned a great deal more about bears. I know in the future, I will be more "cautious" when in bear country. I have heard several of those same rumors about bears. I would highly recommed this book to anyone. Absolutely fascinating. The photography is outstanding. The author is "gutsy".

This book is another fine example of John Pezzenti's work. The pasion he has for bears and all wildlife comes through in every picture. While I and many others will buy this book for the pictures, which alone is worth the price, reading the text brought a new level of understanding and appreciation for both the bears and John.
While not all of the book is about Alaska, I highly recomend this book to all Alaskans, as well as people who not as fortunate to live here.

In the 90's when I lived in Alaska I pursued that lands great mammals with my camera. Along the way I met John Pezzenti. Not only is he an author who captures the mystery and thrill of wildlife adventure photography through a unique voice, he is one of the best nature and wildlife photographers in the world. This stunning book adds another notch onto his Nikon. It helped me be there again, but this time sitting with a cup of tea instead of the rain, bugs, miserable weather, and other hardships that John lives with daily. Buy this book! You'll love it too!

If you are interested in bears,then this is the book for you.Amazing photographs,and accounts by the author,who has spent over 30yrs working and living with these wonderful creatures.A fantastic book,thank you Mr Pezzenti for sharing your experiences with us less fortunate people.

John Pezzenti once again is shareing his world with us in his latest book, Shooting Bears: This beautifully bound album of magnificient photographs truly show cases John`s mastery of the lens and his knowledge of his subjects. The stories John shares with us in Shooting Bears:, both with his pen, and with his camera, are a pricless treasure that will leave you in awe of these wonderful wild animals and in wonder at this artists extreme talent. John takes you along in his travels and shows you

in his photographs just why he goes there. This wonderful display is a must-have for all who enjoy wildlife and bears in particular, and for those who appreciate being right out there with them. Thanks for the wonderful trip John, God Bless.

For those of us who somehow can't seem to get enough of this stuff (you all know the "G" word), this book is perfect. In the wacky world of late 80's/early 90's Seattle, Peterson's photos are absolutely iconic.

Absolutely awesome book of photographs from a period of music I had the pleasure of being part of. If you like music; especially the artists in this book. Then this is your new coffee table book.

A divine marriage of vision, design and subject matter. Peterson's wild, free and spontaneous shooting style provides the perfect visual metaphor for the beer-stained and adrenaline-stoked Seattle grunge era. His pictures look like the music sounds - reckless, courageous, and always threatening to spin completely out of control.

An aggresive book design and a minimum of text keeps the emphasis where it belongs - on the music's energy and the exhilarating, ritual co-dependence of performers and fans. You can't slam out power chords on a Leica M6 - but Peterson comes closer than any other "Rock" photographer at pulling it off.

DSR

Unlike the other reviewers of this work, I was not there. I just love the artful quality photos in a book that is a collection item. The detail of the photos and the quality of the printing make this a work to savor. This is a forever book, should be on all shelves of collectors of fine photography.

When I close my eyes and think about the early 90's rock scene, I see Charles Peterson's photographs. I remember going to record stores and buying albums solely on his cover shot - blurred arms, swooshing lights, flailing hair. The cover photographs were so powerful that I could almost feel the greatness of the music inside the sleeve. Nirvana, Mudhoney, L7... fantastic bands captured live in amazing black and white.

In "Touch Me I'm Sick" you get some of the famous photos we all know and also tons that have never been released. These are the ones that had me in awe. Seeing ten year old photos for the first time of bands I love, it's like a treasure trove!

I am so happy that Charles Peterson took these photos and that he continues to share them with us. If I could give this book higher than 5 stars, I certainly would.

Diane Arbus' works reflect for me, the tragic echoes of an artist's disconnected soul in search of kinship. I believe her subjects reflected this inner state in its polarity - from the curiously delightful to the stark nakedness of oddity. "What do i see when i look in the mirror? I search for you, to document your being, your existence, your very breath because you rebel for me, against all that they say is conventional, permissable and normal. i record your pneuma and the beauty of your unorthodoxy."
Be delighted to own this book if you truly appreciate art and the soul that creates it. You won't be disappointed.

I had the great fortune to see Revelations in person when the show was at the MET in NYC in 2004. There is nothing like seeing actual prints in person but this gorgous book is the next best thing. The paper stock is top notch as is the binding. I proudly display this book on my coffee table for family and friends to enjoy.

This was one of the greatest photography retrospectives and the book pretty much summarizes as well as delves deeply into the issues covered by the show. If you missed the exhibition, this book is a good substitute. If you want to know about what you saw in the show, this is an indispensable guide. Highest quality reproductions, even in the paperback.

The legacy of dead artists is always in the hands of others. As Doon Arbus, Diane's daughter, laments, some go way to far in "analyzing" the work of her mother. (For a particularly abominable and repulsive example of this, see Anthony Lee and John Stultz's "Diane Arbus: Family Albums".)

This gigantic Arbus exhibition was mounted by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It features 200 Arbus photos, spanning her entire work and more than 300 auxillary images of her notebooks, darkroom and so on.

There are several short, informative and informed essays (unlike the aforementioned "Family Albums).

The production is gorgeous.

What is unfortunate about Arbus' work is that it is rarely explained in detail. People see Arbus' work and conclude that she really saw these weird people in the wild, so to speak. The reality is shown in fair detail here. For example, Arbus' absolute classic "Child with a toy hand grenade in Central Park" is shown with a contact sheet making it clear that Arbus took the one image that showed this little boy in a freakish pose. The other 11 images show a normal young boy playing. But Arbus wanted her subjects to appear as if they were trying out for a freak show. That was her point. That's why, for example, Arbus photographed "Dominatrix embracing her client" instead of a family picnic with everyone smiling for the camera.

Arbus - and this exhibition demonstrates the point - used electronic flash and high contrast to make her subjects appear weird. Weird was Arbus' metier. You can see this again in the contact sheet from which her freakish "Boy at a parade" is taken. Arbus does not print the sprightly looking woman holding a "Support Our Boys" sign and an American flag. No, she prints the pimply faced, self-concious boy wearing a plastic straw hat, a bow tie and carrying an American flag. She prints it because the harsh strobe makes the uncomfortable boy look like a freak.

Arbus was fascinated by the unsual, including twins and triplets. She suffered from various psychological problems, possibly alcoholism and drug addiction and killed herself.

She left behind a magnificient body of work, one that too often (again, see the awful "Family Albums") is subjected to academic balderdash.

In "Dane Arbus: Revelations", Arbus the person, Arbus the photographer is presented in splendid detail. It's a marvelous work.

Jerry

Diane Arbus Revelations may be a bargain, price-wise. However, there are many other women photographers who have produced much finer photographs. To me this book reveals Arbus as one who used photographs very selectively to portray a distorted, negative view of a subject. She seemed to exploit gloom as a trademark to make herself unique and gain notice.

The well-known Jewish Giant portrait of Eddie Carmel and his "dismayed" parents is a case in point of her deception. On page 300-301 is the enlargement of frame number 1 of the contact sheet shown on page 209. Obviously, it was hastily shot before the family was ready or in position for what they thought was to be a warm, family portrait. It was a trick pulled on the unsuspecting, and it does not truly represent anything other than people puzzling over where they should stand for the pictures to come.

In contrast, from the contact sheet on page 164, she selected the most obviously contrived pose of the Child With A Toy Hand Grenade, which appears on page 104-105 and as the enlargement she is holding in the Steven Frank photograph on page 208.

As a study in promoting a particular, melancholy viewpoint and imposing it on naive subjects kind enough to be photographed, this book may be useful. But for honest photography, there are other books.

All of the images in this book are noteworthy; some are truly spectacular. The only thing that the various images have in common is that the images cannot be seen by an unaided human eye; the images span from the microscopic to astronomic. Considering the quality of the images in this book, it's too bad that the paperback version is so small (under 9x6). Given the quality of these images, the larger size of the hardback would have been well worthwhile the slightly higher price.

The pictures are beautiful, varied, and amazing. Looking at them I felt the wonder of being a human in the universe. This is completely sappy as a review, I know, but the photos are of wonderful things, most of which you can't see any other way than in a photo (because they would require special microscopes or telescopes or other equipment or an unusual place to stand to take the picture).

The book makes a good gift too.

This is a superb book. I'm 73 with a scientific background and still very active in my field. The book has also been devoured by my 3 teenage grandchildren. They have been fascinated. The photographs are outstanding. The brief text for each picture is well written, succinct, relevant, interesting and scientifically accurate. I found the introduction stimulating and thought provoking. It's a great book. I'm glad I found it.

This is a facinating book that both my husband and I could not put down. Highly recommended.

This book contains one of the best set of images I have ever seen. There are pictures of different subjects on a whole variety of scales and colours, which are fantastic design sources for many arty/crafty people who lack inspiration for various projects. Some images are unidentifyable and are impossible to understand without reading the blurbs - I spent a while guessing what some of the pictures were & quite often got them completely wrong. It's one of those books which make you realise that you are glad that you cannot see to microscopic levels, especially of bedbugs & flies etc..! Well worth getting & some amazing photography.

Flipping through this book, lingering over the
pictures... what a wonderful way to spend
some moments of your life. It's like looking
through an old family album; tender,
endearing-- elicits lots of happy memories.
Helps the wait 'til the next tour! :)

I have just read the reviews and actually started crying. My intention with this little book was to share with those who loved Bruce what it was like to be on the Darkness Tour. I did not do this for money. I never made a dime on this book. I did it so that there could be a manifestation of a time that will never come again except in our memories. I hope it is a time that you can share more closely with a younger generation who did not have the opportunity to witness what was truthfully the spirit of rock and roll. Thank you to all who shared your appreciation of my work.

Lynn Goldsmith's Springsteen Access All Areas is a photodiary of his 1978 Darkness On The Edge Of Town tour. The photos are all in black and white and they perfectly capture the spirit of Bruce Springsteen. Ms. Goldsmith was Mr. Springsteen's girlfriend at the time and she uses that cache to give us glimpses of the man and his band that other photographers may never have been able to get. For those of you old enough to remember or even attend a show at the tour, this book will bring you back to that time and for those of us who were too young to know, it provides us with a look at an artist establishing himself as an icon.

Awesome - if you've ever been confused as to the reason that Springsteen fans are so...um..commited to their hero, this book will answer all your questions. Quite simply, the greatest portfolio of Concert and backstage photos I've ever seen.

Look in the faces of the people in the crowd - you'll see the connections between performer and audience that remains right up to this day. Fabulous. Buy this book.

This is a beautiful little book which captures perfectly a moment of music history.

Springsteen's 78 tour is widely regarded as one of the seminal moments of his career. Coming of the back of Born to Run, the settled courtcase with his ex-managers and the Darkness album, Springsteen undertook a triumphant tour accross America, playing 1,000 to 5,000 seater concert halls.

This tour was a pure celebration of rock n'roll and Lynn Goldsmith's unrivalled access (she was Bruce's girlfriend at the time) allowed her to record it for posterity.

The concert shots capture the excitement of the shows perfectly, the sweat pouring off the performers, Bruce's mock collapse, the interaction with the audience. I've seen bootleg videos and heard many tapes from the tour but I have to say that Lynn Goldsmith's book captures the excitment of being in the crowd at one of those concerts better than any medium I have seen.

But this is more than a collection of superb concert photos, it also captures the quieter moments backstage both pre and post show (including the infamous Bruce shower shot!) Shots of the band eating breakfast, Bruce writing etc.

This book is pricey but will definately appeal to all Bruce fans and admirers of outstanding photojournalism.

In this beautifully designed and bound volume of photos, Steven Underhill reveals his love of two young gods with radiant physiognomies - Bruce and Seth the twins. The volume shows them in playful and intimate moments in pictures full of erotic energy photographed over a long period. A great work by a master of his craft that gives the viewer a wonderful image of an inseparable bond.

'Californian photographer Steven Underhill presents two young gods with radiant physiques - Bruce and Seth the Twins. Playful and intimate moments in pictures full of eroticism. A great work by a master of his craft who gives the viewer a wonderful image of an innocent and inseparable bond.'

I left a few things out of my first review below, I wanted to say there is no frontal nudity in the book of The Twins, Seth and Bruce Hall. I found that more intriguing, left something to the imagination! :-) There are some great nude shots of them from behind! :-) There are also a lot of great pictures of them frolicking around outdoors in their underwear doing a variety of activities! Believe me, if you have not bought the book, you will do yourself a favor by doing so! I don't think any two guy's like Bruce and Seth fill out a pair of white briefs like they do! :-) I have two favorite pictures in the book, one they are holding hands, and the other they are sleeping in bed together in their underwear looking real peaceful, and happy together! :-) I think it shows the true bonding there is between twins, and the book has exceptional photography! BUY IT! :-)

A photographic feast for the eyes, the emotions, and one's libido! The twins are adorable!

This is a really great book, and I would highly recommend it to all! The book has stunning photography, a pair of two beautiful twins, doing a variety of activities, with great scenery! I do think this book is better than "Double Take-The Brewer Twins," Bruce and Seth Hall(the twins in this wonderful book)are in my opinion better looking, and more natural! I hope we hear more from Bruce and Seth! The book has somewhat of a maybe unintended homoerotic look and feel to it, which I find very intriguing! I have bought two copies, one I have opened, and the other I have kept sealed-I think this is a really great book! BUY IT! :-)

This book is wonderful. Stunning photographs of all types of dogs in the neatest settings. Everyone I've shown it to (I bought it on my lunch hour at work) has loved it and walked away with a smile on their face. It's like a mini therapy session.

This was exactly the book I needed for research....I do dog portraits for pet lovers.

This is a lovely, feel-good book, that's just right for when you need reminding of the important things in life. Rachael Hale has the knack of sensitively capturing the beauty in every dog. A must for dog lovers.

Put a smile on my face. It is a wonderful book for dog lovers and maybe for those who arent. You will definately appreciate your 4 legged friend after looking at this. It will inspire you to capture more of your shared "great moments" with your pet by taking pictures to have for a lifetime.

We have given this delightful book to family members and friends and everyone has loved it. The photographs are wonderful! The author/photographer really captures her subjects very well. It is a great gift for anyone who loves dogs.