America's Heart & Soul [Hardcover]

Louis Schwartzberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 2004

America's Heart & Soul is a pictorial story of Americans who are remarkable in their everyday lives. Real people, real stories, real life.

Award-winning filmmaker Louis Schwartzberg packed up his camera and hit the road, with a goal of capturing both the unparalleled beauty of the land and the incomparable spirit of the people. Through this book America's Heart and Soul, you'll meet ordinary Americans with extraordinary stories. Louis' gift is his ability to connect with people, honestly capturing their values, dreams, and passion in an awe-inspiring journey that reveals the stories - unusual, captivating, inspiring and emotional - that make us more than a collection of individuals.

Each photograph tells the story of extraordinary Americans, revealing through their joy and passion their greatest gifts - Freedom and Diversity. This is the real America, where men, women, and children of all colors, creed, and origins enjoy the opportunities and mobility that is their right.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Louis Schwartzberg is an award winning cinematographer, director, photographer and producer whose distinguished career spans feature films, television shows, commercials, and documentaries. Louis founded BlackLight Films to use the magic of film to tell stories that inspire and celebrate life. Schwartzberg serves on the board of EMA and ECO, two leading non-profit environmental media organizations. He is a member of the Director's Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: BlackLight Films (October 22, 2004)
• ISBN-10: 0974860352
• ISBN-13: 978-0974860350
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 10.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,048,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars goodfeeling boost, April 27, 2009

By 

Capra Corn (Drachten, Netherlands) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: America's Heart & Soul (Hardcover)

These are nice pictures en heartwarming stories of free people going around their business in the good old U.S.A. they are living there dreams and inspire others to do just like them. Love life!!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Gift!, January 18, 2005

By 

avid reader (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America's Heart & Soul (Hardcover)

When I received this book as a gift, I was only expecting your average coffee table fare - some nice pictures, but no real substance. I'm happy to say that when I sat down with the book a few afternoons later, I discovered a truly genuine (and beautiful!) look at the American culture. The title doesn't lie; this book really feels like it comes from the heart & soul!

Through a series of gorgeous photographs, this book reveals a portion of our country that doesn't often get the "airplay" it deserves. We're introduced to page after page of American characters, who run the range from the hilarious to the heroic, from the inventive to the truly inspiring. For once, the words "freedom" and "spirit" are used not to sell a politician or pass a law, but to represent a nation composed of REAL people - something that is all too easily forgotten in this day and age.

To top it all off, the book is sprinkled with some of the best landscape photography I've ever seen in my life - the Golden Gate bridge covered in fog, the Washington Monument at sunset, the Statue of Liberty on the Fourth of July . . . I just wish I could frame some of these pages!

As a gift, this book was a completely welcome surprise. It's among the best of my coffee table books and is perfect for a Sunday afternoon browse-session - I imagine it would be a great addition to any household (or even classroom, for that matter). There's even a great behind-the-scenes section by the author, which seems perfect for budding photographers.

I haven't yet seen the Disney film this book is based on, but if it's anything like this book, I'm sure it's going to be great. If you're interested in taking a completely unique journey through the many American roads less traveled, filled with breathtaking landscapes and wonderful people, this is the right book for you! I highly recommend it!