American Photographs: 1900-2000 [Hardcover]

James Danziger (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Continuing its large-format, lavishly designed "Portfolio" series (after Alexey Brodovitch, LJ 6/1/99), the publisher this time presents a survey of the last century of American photography. One of the leading photography dealers for over a decade, Danziger has presented three major chronological survey shows in recent years at his gallery attempting to showcase the breadth and inventiveness of the period. In the brief introduction he even posits that "American photography from 1900 to 2000 is arguably the most fertile period in the rich history of the medium. It is possible, indeed, to argue that it represents the most fertile period in the entire history of art!" What follows goes far in supporting this argument. The book presents a clear aesthetic vision with more than 200 images--from a Clarence White study of Victorian-era girls at play to Adam Fuss's abstract color photograms--centered on a page opposite a blank page for undistracted viewing. The printing, four-color throughout though most images are black and white, and the heavy matte paper produce some of the best reproductions this reviewer has ever seen. While no such survey can hope to deliver the definitive canon, this book should become an oft-referenced landmark study. Highly recommended for all libraries.
-Eric Bryant, "Library Journal"
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Assouline (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2843231558
• ISBN-13: 978-2843231551
• Product Dimensions: 13.7 x 11 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,188,470 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Joy, June 20, 2000

By 

Megan Ritchie (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Photographs: 1900-2000 (Hardcover)

If, like me, you enjoy photography books more for the photos than for the accompanying text then you will find American Photographs 1900-2000 a joy. Of the 400 pages that make up this volume, only 6 pages have text. The rest are devoted to a wide and wonderful range of photographs. It is simply and stylishly laid out. Each left had page lists the photographer, the title, the date, size and type of the photograph. On the opposing right-hand page the accompanying photograph is beautifully reproduced. The plates are not 'cramped', as they can be in other books commemorating a century's worth of photography. Photojournalism, fashion photography, scientific photography, 'art' photography and Hollywood glamour photography are all covered. It is a pleasure to own.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The gangs all here, April 7, 2010

By 

Robin Benson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Photographs: 1900-2000 (Hardcover)

A handsome book published in 2000 and based on exhibitions at the Danziger Gallery in New York. I would imagine that editing this sort of photographic overview is a bit of a challenge: many famous names obviously have to be included but should their equally famous photos be repeated yet again or go for something not seen before; just arty photographers or open the concept to include, perhaps, more commercial work like advertising or magazine fashion; only black and white or maybe color should have a look in.

I thought James Danziger's choice was about right. The 228 photos from 159 photographers really do sum up the creative endeavors of ten decades and nicely he took the wide view that wonderful creativity can exist outside the narrow confines of 'art' photography. For example: plate 21 an aerial shot of a living flag made by thousands of troops; plate 73 has the multi-flash golf swing of Bobby Jones taken by Harold Edgerton; plate 143 is a fashion shot by Ormond Gigli of forty-one models each posing in the windows of a disused five story building. Mostly though, page after page of the names and their not quite so well known images, sometimes several. Richard Avedon: five; Walker Evans: six; Joel Meyerowitz: three; Edward Weston: five.

This is a big chunky book which looks and feels the part. Open the cover and another board cover needs to be opened to the right. James Danziger's text only fills six pages (and in big type) then every spread has one photo on the right with a brief caption on the left-hand page. Initially I was rather put off by the huge margins around each photo but as I turned the pages I got to appreciate them more and more and I felt I was looking through a sumptuous art book, which of course I was.

The paper is a substantial matt art and it's worth knowing that all the photos, the majority of which are black and white, are printed in four colors (this tends to give the blacks a really solid richness) with a 200 screen. Some from the first two decades of the century are sepia and in later years color shots are included. The Italian art book printers Amilcare Pizzi did a fine job.

I thought this was a quite remarkable book and a joy to look through. Can't find a copy cheap enough, try Assouline's chunky paperback version, approximately a quarter the size of this hardback but I found it a bit unwieldy because of the thick paper.

***SEE SOME INSIDE PAGES by clicking 'customer images' under the cover.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, June 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: American Photographs: 1900-2000 (Hardcover)

The photography contained in this book is masterful! The black and white and color photos capture the essence of a country on the move. The captions help the reader to connect events and people to American history.