Customer Reviews

An American Family: Three Decades with the McGarveys

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My Rating: 4 stars

Brief Summary: Photographer Pam Spaulding spent three decades photographing the McGarvey family from Louisville, Kentucky. Starting in 1977 after the birth of the couple's first baby and continuing until 2007, this book contains a selection of photos from this timeframe--allowing you to literally watch the family grow up before your eyes. Although there is some text in the book, the majority of the book consists of full-page black and white photos, often with photos from two different decades facing each other.

Brief Thoughts: This book was just fascinating, and once I started paging through it, I couldn't stop. It was also interesting to learn how this project grew and developed and to hear from both parties how the relationship grew and evolved.

I live in the city where this photographer has worked for more than 30 years and bought the book after seeing a preview in the Courier-Journal. I think everyone will find certain photos that resonate; I loved the photos of young grandparents with their young grandkids, juxtaposed with photos of the same kids as young adults, having transitioned to the role of providing support and encouragement for an elderly relative. Ms. Spaulding captures other moments I could relate to--from the teenager's first time in a new car to the loss of the family pet. And if your Dad every stayed up late assembling your Christmas present, he'll love this book.

I do wonder how this family's behavior might have been influenced by having a journalist around to record private moments. If it was, the results seem positive.