GIVE US YOUR SUGGESTIONS & FEEDBACK ABOUT THE SITE
We will send you an E-mail every time there is a new article in your favorite section. Sign-Up For ALERTS.

Photo Book Reviews

Freedom (Phaidon Press) by Manning Marable, Leith Mullings, and Sophie Spencer-Wood Reviewed by Tina Maas Article rating: 10.00

"Freedom" is an all encompassing book of the African American struggle for self-determination. Tracing history from the initial abolitionist movement and illuminating the subsequent fight against continued segregation and racism, this photographic anthology deals with a subject matter that is still relevant today.

From early daguerreotypes depicting slaves at their workplaces through to documentary style pictures of the struggles of the civil rights movement up to the present day riots, "Freedom" is a truly arresting picture essay, including over 500 photographs in a journey through history. The book features individual victims of racism as well as prominent political figures and unknown heroes, who, empowered by injustice, accomplished tremendously brave acts that planted seeds of hope in others and eventually led to change.

Being a photographer herself as well as a freelance picture editor, Sophie Spencer-Wood has brought together yet another work of magnitude by laboriously researching the archives to compile this fine anthology.

The book is chronicling the extensive struggle for freedom throughout 5 chapters, each of which is introduced by an instructive essay that gives valuable background information on the respective political and socio economic situations. The essays have been contributed by Manning Marable, noted scholar and lecturer and Leith Mullings, professor of Anthology, who have written numerous books on the subject and collaborated on other Phaidon compilations.

Featuring disturbing lynchings as well as courageous individual acts and mass public demonstrations the book covers a wide range of discriminations, protests and bravery, which contributes to its richness both visually and emotionally.

Shot predominantly in black and white, the book addresses a very complex issue that is analyzed in all its political and cultural aspects but the continuous thread that connects all the images is straightforward and expressed beautifully and simply in its one word title: "Freedom".

Encompassing photographic moments from the hardship of slavery to the struggles of the civil rights movement, from the mansions of the Deep South to the cities of the North, from Harlem in the east to the LA riots in the west, "Freedom" illustrates the battle of a people for their right to self determination.

The images are captivating from the first page to the last but most of all, this book is a compilation of very moving images that are brought together in this one of a kind collection to form a powerful tribute to a crucial part of this country's history.

>>Click here to purchase Freedom from Amazon.com

^ Back to top

* Your Name:
* Email address:
	(Enter the code shown)
	(Your e-mail address will not show on the site and is used so that we can contact you back if needed)
* Your Comment about this article::
	Include me in the TGP Monthly Newsletter