The Black Panthers - Photographs by Stephen Shames [Hardcover]

Charles E. Jones (Author), Stephen Shames (Photographer), Bobby Seale (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2006

In 1966, as the largely nonviolent Civil Rights movement swept through America, Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale founded the legendary Black Panther Party in Oakland, California. Revered by some and vilified by others, the party burst onto the scene with a militant vision for social change and the empowerment of African-Americans. Its methods were so controversial and polarizing that in 1968, FBI head J. Edgar Hoover described the organization as the country's greatest threat to internal security. During the height of the movement, from 1967 to 1973, photographer Stephen Shames had unprecedented access to the organization. He captured not only its public face--street demonstrations, protests and militant armed posturing--but also life behind the scenes, from private Party meetings to Bobby Seale at work on his Oakland mayoral campaign. Shames was prolific and his archive of Panther images is the largest in the world, presenting an uncommonly nuanced portrait of this dynamic social movement. Released on the occasion of the Party's fortieth anniversary, this illuminating publication gathers an astonishing collection of never-before-published images, offering an electrifying visual history. Panther newspapers, posters and other ephemera help convey the ethos of the Panthers and of a transformative period of social upheaval for the whole nation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Given enormous access to the party, Shames created a historic document of Huey P. Newton, Angela Davis, Bobby Seale, Eldridge Cleaver and other Panther leaders in private moments and at public rallies. He also chronicled the party's legions of volunteers manning picket lines, demonstrating at their leaders' trials, serving breakfasts to school children and running free food programs." -- Holly Stuart Hughes --Photo District News

"The Black Panthers: Photographs by Stephen Shames, published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the founding of the party, is a modestly scaled but excellent survey of the Panthers' early years, combining powerful photographs with a sharp, efficient design (the majority of photos are printed to the edge of the page, unimpeded by text) to present a lucid portrayal of the urgency, pride and determination, as well the love, friendship and occasionally even fun, that drove the movement." -- Holly Myers --LA Weekly

"Photojournalist Stephen Shames met Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton through the anti-war movement in '67; in subsequent years, he captured the lives of Black Panther Party members in striking, time-capsule photos. His new book marks the 40th anniversary of the party's birth." --People Magazine

"Released on the occasion of The Black Panthers' 40th Anniversary, this book of photographs by Stephen Shames, who had access to the organisation during the height of the movement from 1967 to 1973, captures not only street demonstrations and protests but also behind-the-scenes moments." --HotShoe International

"Stephen Shames' powerful and poignant photographs cast a new light on the political party that helped define America in the turbulent 1960s... His book explores the multi-faceted strategy of the Black Panthers all too often obscured by a pre-occupation with aggressive confrontation and armed resistance." -- Beth Wicks --B&W (UK)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 152 pages
• Publisher: Aperture; 1st edition (July 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597110248
• ISBN-13: 978-1597110242
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #386,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Black Panthers, March 20, 2007

By 

Stanley J. Banos - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Black Panthers - Photographs by Stephen Shames (Hardcover)

Stephen Shames' The Black Panthers provides some very powerful and insightful documentary images of the Black Panther Party. Shames served as their official photographer- and was actually close to publishing this book decades ago until convicted felon and Vice President Spiro Agnew told his golf buddy (and publishing honcho) that he best not publish any such book.

This book also serves to remind us how our government first denigrates, infiltrates and then obliterates any political movement committed to the direct service of its people and community.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Offering candid and rare glimpses behind the scenes., March 11, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Black Panthers - Photographs by Stephen Shames (Hardcover)

While the visual study The Black Panthers could've been profiled in our Arts or Photography sections, it's reviewed here because no serious collection of titles on social issues and 1960s American history should be without it. The foundation of the coverage is black and white photos by Stephen Shames, which have taken nearly forty years to appear in book form. Shames was involved with the Panthers since a student at UC-Berkeley: his photos thus document the party from an insider's viewpoint, not your usual outsider's journalistic documentary approach, offering candid and rare glimpses behind the scenes.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a Must have, November 18, 2006

By 

A customer "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Black Panthers - Photographs by Stephen Shames (Hardcover)

I've always collected books&things on the Black Panthers. the Panthers were a Powerful movement&they made a strong impact. this Book captures the Images&elements that made the Black Panthers a Powerful force. hard to beleive it's been 40 years since the Black Panthers first emerged. Props to Bobby Seale&RIP to Huey P.Newton. this Book takes you behind the scenes&showcases so much more. a Must have.